Ferret Husbandry

Question 1

What type of repro cycle do females have?

Answer 1

Reflex ovulators

Seasonally monoestrus Feb to Sept

Question 2

What is a typical diet?

Answer 2

complete dry ferret diets
occasional prey item or whole raw egg
high fat diet
high animal based proteins
low carbs

Question 3

Dental formula

Answer 3

3/3 1/1 3/3 1/2

Question 4

Where is the heart situated?

Answer 4

caudal over 6-9th ribs

Question 5

Sexing

Answer 5

Male: anogenital distance greater in males, obvious prepuce on ventral abdomen, testes only descend during breeding season

Female: short anogenital distance

Question 6

What are common problems with ferrets

Answer 6

Escape

FB ingestion

Question 7

What is the lifespan of a ferret?

Answer 7

5-8 yrs

Question 8

Age at weaning

Answer 8

8 weeks

Question 9

Gestation period

Answer 9

42days

Question 10

Outdoor housing

Answer 10

Large outdoor hutch during summer
Exercise area
Avoid direct sun
Can be litter trained

Question 11

How should you house them socially?

Answer 11

Single sex pairs
Mixed sex pairs
Harems
Can do well single

Question 12

Indoor housing

Answer 12

Secure cage when alone
Bed of straw/hay/newspaper
Clean litter daily
Enrichment

Question 13

What can happen when you neuter ferrets?

Answer 13

Adrenal gland disease

Avoid by implanting deslorelin

Question 14

What vaccines should be given?

Answer 14

Distemper

Question 15

When are ferrets mature?

Answer 15

6-9 mo