About having 4 ferrets...
 
Well, according to Fara Shimbo's A Tao Full Of Detours (really wonderful
ferret behavior book) and what you and I have observed, ferrets do tend to
play in pairs.
 
Even if you have a pile all playing, you'll find that it is most definitly
partner play.
 
We've got 4 - two pairs!  I consider them pairs cause the first two are
litter mates and sisters, the second two are about a week apart and boy
and girl.  The first two are 6 months old, the second two are about 3
months old.  I see all combinations of play within the group, but it is
usually 2 together (except when they all try to escape at the same time
or get into the Forbidden Closet).
 
That is why we started out with 2.  It just seemed mean to take 1 from their
mom and their brothers and sisters and expect her to find all her
socialization and security with just us, some unhappy cats and a dog.  I
think single ferrets cane be happy and a lot of them get used to life like
that, but a kit without the security of other kits, well...
 
Four seems to be a happy number.  Someone always has a friend and they all
end up sleeping and waking about the same times.  They still try to engage
me in play, so I don't think providing another ferret playmate makes them
less social with people.
 
If I was to increase my ferret-family, lets say to 10 (who am I kidding?)
I'd probably keeping doing it in pairs.
 
Ann
[Posted in FML issue 2021]