Steve Coppock asked a few general questions on ferret studs.
 
You were probably over sold on what studding means.  The normal stud fees
range from around $50 to around $100 - the higher fees usually only with
'proven' studs.  Proven means they've shown they can do that 'sire' thing
and the kits produced are good.  Usually studs chosen have doen well in a
ferret show already.  An alternate fee is 'pick of the litter'.  In this
case the owner of the stud gets any one kit from the litter.  Almost
nobody will go more than one kit.
 
Another aspect of stud service is that the owner of the stud does the
care of the jill for up to a week.  Ferret mating is also NOT for the
weak hearted.  It can get darned violent.  Jills can be injured - the
stud owner will be responsible to make sure proper care and emergency
care is given to the jill.  Paying for vet services needed would have to
be arranged before accepting a jill to 'meet' your stud.
 
Obviously we're not encouraging a quick foray into breeding even only as
a stud provider.  Think long and hard - you are making a real committment
to ferrets to take on the task.  If you do decide to try though you might
learn that most breeders already have their own hobs and work with other
established breeders almost exclusively.  Takes a while to join the ranks.
 
If you have further questions ask us here or direct email.  If you do get
interested in breeding we can put you in contact with the publisher of
the 'Breeder's Digest'.  It is the definitve source of information about
ferret breeding at this time.
 
bill and diane killian
zen and the art of ferrets
[Posted in FML issue 1253]