>Small breeders do not have the gene pool of a larger breeder so more close
in-breeding will occur.
 
Small hobby breeders will try very hard NOT to use line or in-breeding in
their ferrets.  They strive for quality because of their love of ferrets.
Of course there are exceptions, and these people are not successful in
selling their kits to other breeders who care about their lines.
 
Small farm breeders who treat ferrets like a product usually don't keep very
good records and will inbreed/line breed but have to be USDA licensed
because they are selling to pet shops and breeding to make a profit.  After
the ferret is sold, they don't really care about it anymore.
 
Commercial ferret farms (MF, Path Valley) usually have a large breeding
system, but after 4-5 generations, the ferrets are indeed bred back to their
relatives.  This is called Closed Colony Breeding by them and they "strive"
for genetic similarity for research sales.  They are also USDA regulated.
If there is a complaint, their solution is to replace the kit because they
have so many and it does not hurt their wallets.
 
IMHO, if you want the best kit, ask hobby breeders who they like to get
their kits from or who they think are good breeders.
[Posted in FML issue 1532]