This is to  Rick Roller,, tried to personally email but wouldn't send!
Bit of info re your questions...
 
The Jills pregnancy should last exactly 6 weeks.  They occasionally go one
two or three days over, but not because they are usually overdue - mainly
because people leave the jill in with the hob for a few days and they may
not have been properley inseminated before that time.
 
You can generally feel if there are babies in there - in a long row to the
left and right of her midline.  If you are unsure however - DONT feel for
them.  If you are gentle and know what you are doing it is ok.  She should
be showing signs like going bald on her tummy - so the kits can feed - her
nipples should be enlarging slightly and she should be showing nesting
habits.  They don't always get "Fat looking" unless there are lots of bubs
in there.
 
If your ferret has had numerous psuedo pregnancies there there could be a
problem.
 
1) Firstly your male could simply be sterile - if that is the case then she
could be succeptable to an infection known as a pyometra - she has been
mated, and her body expects a baby to be lodged in there but then no baby,
and it can lead to infection.  If she is diagnosed with a pyometra then she
would need immediate surgury, usually including speying at the same time.
 
2) False pregnancies - when she is either infertile or perhaps the male
wasn't "Rough" enough (females ovulate during the intense pain of the male
ferret biting their neck) or other unknown reasons - these false pregnancies
are not good either.  Firstly they have a high risk of contracting the
pyometra we discussed above - but also the jill expects to have babies and
when none come she is behaviorally stressed.
 
3) Are you sure that she wasnt pregnant the last times?  She could have
miscarried due to ill health, youth or poor nutrition.  She also could have
had the kits and eaten them.  Yes, it sounds gross and most people wouldnt
beleive their pet could do such a thing, but around 50% of new mum ferrets
do.  Also alot of ferrets will eat their kits if anyone even LOOKS at their
babies within 2 weeks of giving birth.  Of course the better your pet -
friendly wise, the better your chances with those ones.
 
Remember that jills must either be
1) mated every time they come into season
2) Injected with a hormone suppresent from a vet to stop them coming into
   season or
3) Desexed - the easiest and cheapest option!  (By a vet of course.)
 
Don't forget to feed a very high quality ferret diet while pregnant and
lactating!  Don't give the babies normal milk when weaning as it can lead
to diabeties!  Don't forget also to seperate the pregnant female from ALL
OTHER FERRETS( esp.  males of course, ) when she is pregnant.  Let her have
her own nesting box and keep it clean and warm and dry.  Don't forget that
ferrets also get cranky after babies for a while at times just like all
other mothers can, so be patient!
 
Well good luck, remember to always consult your vet if their are any
problems - eg if you see her straining - contractions - for more than a
couple of hours and no signs of bubbies - ring vet...Also watch out for
calcium deficiencies - a nursing ferrets diet is good to help avoid that,
mastitis etc... make sure she eats, drinks and poos normally, she may start
getting tired after the 3 week stage, just keep an eye on her and check
she is alert and looks ok!
 
 Hope that was a bit helpful...
[Posted in FML issue 2424]