I know this will seem like an old story, but I'm having problems with two of
my ferrets getting along.
 
I have three ferrets at present.  Mhaire, a female red-eyed white, Kian, a
male sable, and Paddington, another male sable.  In this case, Paddington is
the knew comer.  He was rescued from an abusive owner in MA.  The person who
owned him previously, kept fifteen ferrets in a U-Haul trailor, in pet
carriers, one ferret per carrier. They weren't even let out of there carriers
for more than fifteen minutes in two years.  The only time they saw the light
was when they were fed.
 
Paddington was a whole male when the Bossarts of 4 L'il Paws recieved him.
He was not well socialized and when bathed, the water turned black.  He was
neutered and given his shots before I picked him up more than a week ago.  He
weighes about five pounds, and his rear legs are weak.   Worst of all, we
think he has to relearn how to be a ferret.
 
When he first go home, it looked like the integration was going smoothly.  I
brought out a smaller cage (which must have seemed palacial compared to the
pet carrier) and was preparing to gradually integrate them.  Mhaire chased
him away once, but Kian seemed to like him.  I even saw them sleeping
together in the main cage a few times.
 
Then, Kian seemed to change his mind about him.  He began attacking
Paddington, who was almost twice his size.  Paddington only put up a half
hearted effort to protect himself, preferring to hide under his blankets,
which does know good.  I keep having to seprate the two.  Kian's attacks are
getting more vicious and Paddington has several wounds on his back and Kian
has begun tearing out hair.
 
Mhaire, on the other hand, seems to tolerate Paddington.  I've seen them
snuggle together for brief naps.  I've been able to keep them in  the main
cage for long periods while Kian is cooling his heals.
 
The course of action that now seems to have the best chance of working is to
keep Kian away from Paddington for a while.  Give the wounds a chance to heal
and help him to learn how to be a ferret.  He's learning slowly.  He is
begining to do a shakey War Dance and likes to play some of the games I play
with my ferrets.  I'm going to switch beddings and cages with Kian daily so
Kian gets use the sent and the idea that Paddington his here to stay.  When I
do let them out together, I watch them like a hawk and if Kian attacks, he
will be sruffed and scolded, and put in the small cage to cool off.
 
I've been cuddling them all consistantly.  I've had several long talks with
Kian about his behavior.  (You can guess how effective that is, but I'm still
hopeful.)  I'm hopeful things will work out eventually.  Just trying to keep
the peace in the mean time is nerve racking.  I think that as Paddingotn's
relearns how to be a ferret, his confidence will grow.  Eventually he will
make a stand, and hopefully, Kian will back off.
 
Can anyone think of anything else I may have missed, or advice on how to
better achieve peace between the two.  I've seen many posts on this same
issue.  I've tried all the ones I could remember, but it doesn't seem to
work.  I've given up on letting them have it out since Paddington refuse to
fight and I don't want to see him any more traumatived.
 
Thanks in advance for any help you can give.
 
PS.  Mhaire's tail is getting better.
[Posted in FML issue 1217]