Ferrets - Boys or Girls?

The decision on which gender of ferret to choose is up to you they are both as much fun and as troublesome as each other.

Male Ferrets

Boys (like Foxy pictured here) - become more docile and playful as they grow older. They are larger and heavier than females ranging from 0.9kg neutered to 2.7kg un-neutered.

Entire (un-neutured) males are known as Hobs, they can become sexually active from 6 months old. Rutting or the breeding period can last for 6 months and they can become quiet aggressive towards males, females and you.

Neutered males can be castrated from around 6 months old, these are called Gibs. It is best to neuter ferrets to stop the aggression and to prevent the males from becoming so strong smelling as it controls their odour production.

Female Ferrets

Girls - these are normally smaller than males and very inquisitive and squirmy. They range from 0.3kg to 1.1kg.

Entire (un-spayed) females are known as Jills, they become sexually active from 6 months of age and unlike other mammals once they are in heat they stay in their cycle until they have been mated either with an entire or neutered male or given an injection by a vet to stop it. If the cycle is not stopped then the ferret could suffer from Aplastic Anaemia which is life threatening.

Neutered females are called Sprites, it is best to neuter females to stop the threat of Anaemia.

Ferret Groups

Males and female ferrets can be kept together and females are happy in groups. Males might not be so happy together especially if they are entire. .