Know More About Pet Ferrets
Step1
Know that breeding ferrets is a serious undertaking.
Step2
Keep in mind that you aren't required to have a male ferret in your possession. You can also bring your female ferret to the male.
Step3
Remember that male ferrets can be troublesome. They produce a strong odor and may be more aggressive.
Prepare for Breeding
Step1
Watch your ferret's age. Females are sexually mature at the age of six months.
Step2
Expect your female ferret to be in heat from March to August.
Step3
Keep an eye out for physical signs to determine the best time to breed. When your female ferret is ready to breed, she will have a swollen vulva with a slight discharge.
Step4
Check the male ferret to be sure that he is ready for mating. You'll notice that his fur seems greasier and he smells more musky than usual. You'll observe them urinating in a puddle and dragging their stomachs through it to mark their territory, and you'll also notice that your male ferret seems more aggressive than usual.
Introduce Your Ferrets to Breed
Step1
Put your female and male ferrets in a cage large enough for the two. Neutral territory (a cage that is not home to either ferret) is best to ensure proper breeding.
Step2
Leave your ferrets together to ensure that they've bred.
Step3
Check your female ferret's vulva in a few days to ensure that she is pregnant. It will have reduced in size.
Prepare for the Gestation Period
Step1
Know that the gestation period for your ferret is six weeks.
Step2
Expect your ferret to give birth to small, hairless babies.
Step3
Use caution when checking in on your ferret after she gives birth. Add food and water to the cage, and try to count the babies if you can.
Step4
Handle the baby ferrets, or kits, after one week.
Step5
Offer solid food to your kits at about three weeks old. Try creamed foods like baby food. You can also begin offering them regular ferret food mixed with water at the five or six week mark.
Step6
Prepare to give away or sell your baby ferrets until they are eight weeks old at the earliest. 12 weeks is optimal.
Comments
ferretlady said
on 8/9/2008 I feel there should be stronger warnings attached to this article. A FEMALE IN HEAT THAT IS UNBRED *JUST ONCE* CAN DIE OF APLASTIC ANEMIA; this, and greater aggression and smell in males is why all ferrets sold in pet stores are spayed/neutered. They are not like dogs and cats. PLEASE leave breeding of ferrets to professional breeders ONLY.