It's good to quarantine the new ones for a week.  Keep them in different
areas of the home.  You can let the new one play in the same area, but
don't let them use the same water/food/litter box.  This way if the new
ones are sick it won't give it to the other one.  Let them play together,
but always watch them for a few days.  When you don't hear loud squeeling
or any blood or poop flying then you can put them in the same cage.  We
have three kits.  The oldest is 4 1/2 months old and the youngest is 3
months.  The first two are boys, the last one is a girl.  We had to wait
about a month before we could have the girl in the same cage because she
was too small and could not fend for herself.  Dragging and shaking shows
domaniance and this is normal.  Every ferret is different to how long they
will happen.  As long as there is no blood and loud squeels this is fine.
If the new ones are too small then wait to let them be together until they
are big enough to fend or fight for themselves.  When they fight and you
pull the loser away and the ferret goes back then the ferret is enjoying
the play with the other.  If the other runs away then it's time to separate
them.
 
One thing to remember, if you get the two fingers between her head she
can't bite you at all.  Go to a Pet Store and play with the kits and try to
hold their necks with the two fingers next to your thumb.  This will give
you a handle on how to do it quick.  Some of the kits nip good.
 
Scuff the ferret's neck and drag the animal on the floor making noises
(hissing) like a momma ferret does.  Also, scruff the ferret and put it's
face up to yours and say No Bite in a firm voice.
 
Put some Vitamins the ferret likes on your hands and let them lick it off.
 
Also, put some soda pop in the palm of your hand on your fingers and let
the ferret lick.
 
Blow in the ferret's face, they really don't like this.
 
While the ferret is biting, scruff the neck real tight.  Sometimes, the
ferret will let go and sometimes not.
 
While the ferret is biting you, bite it back, but be careful it doesn't
turn to bite you where you are biting them.  Better yet, have someone else
bite them this way you can focus on your fingers and the person on the
animal.
 
Also, lighty push your finger into their mouths.
 
The other thing which works well for our kits.  Close your hand so put your
thumb under the fingers.  Meaning your palm is closed shut.  I find the
kits can't find a good spot to nip so they don't nip.
 
These are just suggestions.
 
Debbie
[Posted in FML issue 2669]