Should You Breed Ferrets?

Ferrets should only be bred by experts as its not easy tending to expectant mothers, dealing with birth and death and then taking the time to raise the kits with the help of the mum.

Even the ferret house used needs to be kit proof as they are very very small and it should be kept warm using heat pads. Also the mother and babies need to be kept separate from any other ferrets you have and only be handled by one main carer.

Before doing it you must know exactly what you are doing and exactly what to expect. Have enough room and know what you are going to do with the kits and be able to socialise them. Are you breeding your ferrets for the right reasons? Ask yourself if you want to join the ranks of the inexperienced bad breeders, or can you just leave all alone keep your ferrets as pets and get them neutered. Is it worth putting them through the mating and pregnancy process. Is it not best to help by rescuing homeless ferrets rather than adding to the homeless number?

Both sexes are sexually mature from the age of 6 months. If you do intend to breed it is best to breed from a year old, this allows themselves to fully mature and there is less chance of inferior babes.

Males come into sexual peak between March and April, he will remain in this state until the end of summer.

Females must be in a fit and healthy condition before they reproduce otherwise there could be problems during pregnancy. Once a Jill is on heat she must be mated to get her out of this state.

The Jill should be introduced to the hob on his ground, the male will chase the female around and even bite her on the neck. He will then drag her into a place where he wants to mate with her. This is quite an ordeal and will be repeated over several occasions. Once the male is attached to the female DO NOT try to separate them as the male penis has a hook tip that latches into the female and only he can unhook it. After a couple of days the female should be removed. If the female is not interested then this will be quite clear to you and the male so they should be separated immediately. The process will have to be tried again or the female ferret will be in danger of dying from Aplastic Anaemia.