>From:    Lynn Siegel <[log in to unmask]>
 
Lynn . . . keep in mind that if you have dirt thru out the whole area, the
easier it will be to keep clean!  Cleaning sun baked poopies off of cement
can be a big pain in the bum . . .
 
>At what temps do your ferrets stay outside?
 
Here it can get as high as 40 degres C or more (way abouve 100 F).  The
ferrets do well with frozen water bottles, the pool, pleanty of fresh, cool
drinking water and indoor time.  My kids also go swimming with us in our
salt water pool... Oh and they stay in the shade all the time.  it really
isn't all that humid - not as humid as FL .  .  .
 
>will they be at risk out there for a few hours or should I bring them
>right in when they are done playing?
 
In the summer, I would do this and limit their time outdoors.  Gradually
introduce them to the outdoors starting with spring (or as close as the
temp in your house (maybe a little cooler).  They need to build up the
tolerance for hotter temps.... and they do build it up.  But you can't
expect them to just be fine with the change.  Just common sence stuff
that I am sure you thought of already.
 
>Also what do you do about ants getting into their food when they are
>outside?  Ants are bad here & I know I should keep some food out there for
>the kids.
 
Take a plate that is larger than their food bowl, but not too much larger.
Then put water on the plate.  This will keep the ants off!  It works!  I
had the problem in our HOUSE!  Some pet stores might sell bowls with the
water lips to keep ants out.  check around or make your own.
 
>I know some keep them outside in the cold weather to so at what temps do
>they stay there or does it matter?
 
Ferrets LOVE the cool weather!  I have not had a winter here yet, but in
the US we kept their room between 45 - 50 F.  They just loved it!  And
what stunning coats!
[Posted in FML issue 2974]