On Thu, 27 Dec 2001, Jacob Adams wrote: > Thanks for the advice, I think I'll do as some of you suggested and > spend some time with her. Maybe I can find someone to talk to about > ferrets who owns them. The main thing I am worried about is the smell. > One of the many reasons I love gerbils is because they don't smell. I > guess they could if you didn't take care of them, But I haven't had > any problems with mine. I have a ? though. When are female gerbils > sexually mature? What about males?
If you mean sexually mature ferrets, then stop right now and listen. Do. Not. Breed. Ferrets. Sexually mature male ferrets who are not neutered can be quite difficult, especially if there females around. When a female ferret goes into heat, she must be bred to bring her OUT of heat, or she can die of aplastic anemia. Obviously the easiest way to do this is to breed her to a male (if you can find one), but if it's not a good time for her to have kits for whatever reason (you don't have homes lined up, she just had a litter, etc), then you either need to do some standing in for the male with a thermometer -- which is tricky and doesn't always work, or breed her to a vasectomized male. If you can find one. Ferrets take a lot of time. a LOT. You should own ferrets for at least five years before you even THINK about breeding them. Not to mention, that most pet ferrets in this country are Marshall Farms ferrets, which is one of the places that spays and neuters ferrets byh six weeks old. Michelle Flutist
