The longer I have ferrets, the more problems I encounter that I have read
about on this forum.  I shall search the archives on my latest problem,
but if anyone has useful info, pls let me know.
 
My particular story is that I added two baby boys, Jonas and Eric, to
my established group and immediately my two Carolina ferts, Lily Nichole
and Louis Phillipe, attacked and will not stop, though it's been about
6 weeks and I have them usually separated fr the young ones.  They are
quite vicious -- Lily being the worst, though she is half the size of
the new ones -- which are arshall gianrts.
 
During the first week, there was some of the same attacking from other
members, but it didn't last.  I separated the ferts, putting the
non-attackers with the babies and then gradually introducmore ferts one
at a time and it seemd to be fine except for the two Carolina ferts.  I
thought I had the situation under control by just separating the two C
ferrets, but now a couple of others are attacking the youngsters again.
 
What causes this sort of thing?  I've never had the least problem adding
ferts before.  The last ones to be added were Lily and Phillipe, and I
think that happened last fall
 
Lily and Phillipe started the trouble that first day, and then soon the
others (except Robert and maybe Rico (btw, who is now my EX-(!!!)-biter))
joined in in an increasingly large gang attack.  It was shocking to see
my angels reduced to demons.
 
Once they were all back in their cages, Robert began an attack on one of
the new boys, but when I yelled at him, he just went to a higher hammie
level, lay down, and SIGHED!  I got the impression he was saying "Golly,
I was just setting the hierarchy, not savaging the little thing." He
never attacked either newbie again.
 
I'm wondering if the problem is contributed to by crowding.  I am in the
process of assembling two Martin's Ferret Condo cages that will be joined
by a tunnel, which will add about 35% more space to their indoor living
quarters.  Do you think that will help?
 
The wretched outdoor pens and the aerial walkway have stalled (once
again, workman failures).  The pens are useable though still not
complete, but the walkway is not done, so now each fert spends time
inside or in one of the pens -- not the free access to lots of space
and a number of separate environments I have envisioned.  I wonder if
it will make a difference when the setup is finally complete.
 
My vet thinks I might have to have two separate groups.  OH NO!!!!!  I
was trying to make life easier for myself with the outdoor-indoor setup,
and to give them all lots of space.  If I have to divide up the new space
........ boo hoo.
 
I have a friend who got her Carolina ferts at the same time I got mine,
She's been thinking about geting some "new brats." Perhaps I have to
offer Eric and Jonas to her.
 
I suppose the silver lining would be The End of Ferret Math.
[Posted in FML issue 5376]