[Viv]

Good morning everyone, on another forum they are saying that getting a ferret will get rid of rats, or putting the shavings from a ferrets cage that have been peed on down the rat holes will get rid of them, anyone heard of this or tried this? Also does anyone keep ferrets and what are they like to look after?

[naturesparadise]

NOT A GOOD IDEA to keep them a few facts about them are

1. they do bite and when they do they bite to the bone and then lock there jaws

2. they smell REALLY REALLY BAD

3. if one got out say good by to your chooks

4. they are not good with other animals or kids

5. they are killers and have been known to kill a cat

but if you can get the bedding and put it down or around rats they should run away

[richyrich7]

no 2 NP is a bit of an understatement    they stink with a capital S   IMO

[babe]

yup. STINK

bad enough to make most people gag... including me

[Grasshopper]

I have two ferrets, both girls, called Penny and Tuppence.
Lets get things straight here! They only smell if not properly looked after, if trained correctly they do NOT bite. I also have chickens but I am not daft enough to let the ferrets get to them ( I also have two dogs and a rabbit).
          I do get angry about the things said about ferrets, they are one of the most intelligent, playful pets going IF trained correctly. Just like any other pet. Rant over .

[Grasshopper]

Oh! I forgot to answer the question from Viv :oops: .
I heard this and tried it and in my experience it's a load of bunkum.
Rat poison is the best followed by a lot of patience and a rifle which, to be honest is a lot more pleasing :twisted: .

[jammy]

My mother in law has kept ferrets in the past and whilst Im not keen on them they were really sweet natured and i cant say the smell was bad either.  My girls used to love going down there to play with them and never got bitten once.  They used to take them for walks on the moor and my mother in law would carry them in a special kind of baby carrier thing on her front.  They absolutely loved it  
I guess its each to their own, but my experiences with them have never been bad at all.

[richyrich7]

So then the ones I've come across can't be well looked after  :?  cause they did stink you could smell 'em from about 10 foot away  :shock:

is it something to do with the feed or just general care Grasshopper ?

[muntjac]

NOT A GOOD IDEA to keep them a few facts about them are

1. they do bite and when they do they bite to the bone and then lock there jaws

2. they smell REALLY REALLY BAD

3. if one got out say good by to your chooks

4. they are not good with other animals or kids

5. they are killers and have been known to kill a cat


 sorry but this is misleading information i have had ferrets for most of my childhood working them on rabbits and more recently as a pest controller and keeper,


firstly yes they bite but only when not properly handled from being small ,they do not lock thier jaws they just grip the prey .they are easy to take of the wound if you know how to handle them .if a ferret bites nip its tail ending and it will let go ,i have had loads of nips from ferrets ..
 secondly ,only the hobs smell ,
thirdly .the ferret and chickens do not mix .or any other small animal
i have had mine work with dogs large and small (.jack russels )and my grand daughter at 6 yrs and my sons and daughter handled them as did loads of my friends children who bred them

 the cat killing ferret rumour has been around for years ,this is false
 if you save the scats ( poop) and put it in water or  pee of your own  and dissolve the lumps .pour this down the holes and the rats will leave

[Stree]

rats

rifle

 self cancelling problem

[Stree]

as  for keeping ferrets to ease rat problems

There was an old woman that swallowed a fly........etc

[jimroden]

NOT A GOOD IDEA to keep them a few facts about them are

1. they do bite and when they do they bite to the bone and then lock there jaws

2. they smell REALLY REALLY BAD

3. if one got out say good by to your chooks

4. they are not good with other animals or kids

5. they are killers and have been known to kill a cat

but if you can get the bedding and put it down or around rats they should run away

utter tosh
( 1 ) If ferrets bite it is because they have not been handled enough by the owner
( 2 ) They only stink if they are not cleaned out ever day.
( 3 ) Your right they will kill your chucks but a sensible approach will resolve this ( Don't let the ferret live by the chucks)
( 4 ) They are excellent with other animals and especially kids.
( 5 ) I have never heard of a ferret killing a cat the other way round probably but as long as I have had them in the past i have never heard this.
( 6 ) Rabbits and Guinea pigs can bite too if not handled

As a county sport enthusiast I have seen ferrets work with dog's I.E Terriers for ratting and rabbiting. Working very very well with bird's of prey again for rabbits.

If they are handled lot's and are cleaned out every day they make wonderful workers or wonderful pet's.

[Des C]

Ferrets are not the deranged killers described in NP's post. They are highly intelligent, scrupulously clean animals which smell only of their natural musk. They are easy enough to keep but need plenty of scope and stimulus from regular work or play. They also need regular ie daily handling. Their bite is mild compared to a rat and non existent compared to a good hard terrier.
They do appear to act as a deterrent to vermin but can also present a threat to your poultry if they get into a run or coop. The name "polecat" a type of ferret, is derived from the French "poulet" and "chat" literally a hen-cat.
If you have any doubts, don't get one. The country is full of bored, stir-crazy ferrets neglected by ignorant owners. These truly interesting and intelligent creatures deserve much better.

[Bodger]

NOT A GOOD IDEA to keep them a few facts about them are

1. they do bite and when they do they bite to the bone and then lock there jaws

2. they smell REALLY REALLY BAD

3. if one got out say good by to your chooks

4. they are not good with other animals or kids

5. they are killers and have been known to kill a cat

but if you can get the bedding and put it down or around rats they should run away

What a load of rubbish ! :evil:  :evil:  :evil:  A real character assassination from someone who more than likey has never handled one, let alone kept one.

I've kept them all my life. Most of this silly posts points have been answered, but must point out that properly handled ferrets are great with kids and most importantly, the ferret that can kill a cat has yet to be born. You must be getting ferrets and pitbull terriers confused.    

[Viv]

Glad to see you back Bodger, you been very quiet over the last week.
have you been to any good shows lately?