ferrets

mc_coster

hi im new to ferreting and i have a few questions


1) how old before they can start hunting?

2) which is better to work -hobs or jills?

3)what is the best ferret finder and how much would it be?

thanks any help would be great

blackstairsboy

Mostly Jills come in heat and are covered by a hob in early May. The offspring should begin hunting the following October. Obviously they will be slow to start but they will quickly get the hang of it. Start working small warrens along hedges first do not start with massive warrens as the young ferrets will not be able to cover all the ground and the rabbits will give them the run around.
I have worked both Jills and Hobs. Jills are smaller and most do not have the strength to kill large healthy rabbits so less layups will occur. A good hob will easily take down the biggest of rabbits so layups are inevitable. Either way digging is part of the game so you may as well get used to it and if you do not want to dig do not go ferreting. My ideal team is two Jills and one Hob.
The best ferret finder in my opinion is the old grey box type. It has an 8 foot range which covers most of my situations. The new ones I cannot get along with I got rid of the new one and went back to the old type.
There is lots to learn and it is a great sport best of luck with it.

Spunk84

mc_coster wrote: »

hi im new to ferreting and i have a few questions


1) how old before they can start hunting?

2) which is better to work -hobs or jills?

3)what is the best ferret finder and how much would it be?

thanks any help would be great

You ever smell a ferrets cage LMAO keep it well away from the house as they stink! Also remember they can get threw alot of things, so make sure your cage door is one that opens on top and not on the front.

If you have dogs, don't let them put their head or nose near the cage as the ferret will lockjaw on them unless it broken to dogs.

As your new to ferrets and you might be getting one make sure you wear padded gloves until it's used to being handled;)

1- They can start anytime after 6-7months. if u have a back garden and ur allowed to dig a zig holes up and down so the ferret can play and learn at the same time, cover with a piece of wood on top so it's dark in there for them. When I had ferrets I had plastic pipes which I buried under the ground so they could go from their cage across the garden to the hobs cage.

2- as it was mentioned, if you get a hob then you will most likely be digging, they tend to kill, eat and sleep all in that order down a hole. It's their size, as it was said they can get a full size rabbit and kill it with no bother. With Jills there small and light so even if they lock jaw onto a rabbit, the rabbit usual runs out with it attached:D or breaks free and bolts the hole. I would go with a Jill first time as they seem to catch on quicker. Only problem is that you have to breed Jills.

3- I haven't used the newer box I still have my grey Deben box, it will go to 30ft , it was used for ferrets and terriers and has lasted 15 years of brutal abuse LOL I won't part with it even thou I haven't worked terriers and ferrets in a few years. I would look on Thehuntinglife.com as most of the lads in Eire use it as well as here.

Have you looked into nets as well? You will needed a good few, also don't skimp on your spade and T-bar, if you know a welder get the bar made for you, well worth it! I aquired;) one of a road worker one day and it was the dogs bollix .