Ferrets that make a "honking" noise are bound to be babies crying for Mom.
This is unfortunately pretty common, because pet stores sell ferrets that
are several weeks too young to have been separated from their dam and
litter-mates.  All you can do is to give them extra attention, but it's not
a good idea to totally separate them from other ferrets you may own, or else
the youngster may become more bonded to humans than to other ferrets, and
reject other ferrets when they grow up.  Extra nutrition is called for, too.
I wean my kits gradually, using a saucer of warm soy milk - Nutrasoy baby
formula works well- mixed with crumbs of Totally Ferret.  Even if your
pet-store orphan appears to be eating solid food well, the extra calcium
provided by this mush is likely to be needed.
 
Here in MD, it's illegal to sell kittens or puppies under 8 weeks of age
without their mother, but poor ferrets have no such protection.  Anyone up
for another legislative intitative?
 
                          Judith Sanders
[Posted in FML issue 1562]