More important than can you breed your ferrets is - WHY do you want to breed
your ferrets?
 
I have been breeding since 1988 and have 2-3 litters a year.  I have a
specific breeding program developed - a goal, a purpose.
 
Jills can false, eat their young, have no milk, have only 1 or 2 babies and
be unable to get the milk started, get mastitis, or everything can work just
fine.  As you can see, the bad things outmeasure the good things.  You need
to have a purpose to your breeding other than to see babies born - you can
go to another experienced breeder and see that.  You need to have a jill
with the same age kits (plus or minus a day) in the vacinity in case you
jill has problems (if you want to save the babies).  You should have a good
vet in case of a breached birth or mastitis or a C section is needed.
 
If your jill had complications, could you afford the vet bills?  Are you
willing to risk your ferret's life on complications?  The mating ritual with
ferrets is rough, true, but the pregnancy and birth is rougher.  Think long
and hard before trying to breed ferrets.  The male will get agressive
towards the other ferrrets, he will smell, and both have to be in season in
order to mate.  What will you do if the female is ready before the male?  do
you know where another breedable hob is or a vasectomized male?
 
No - I'm not discouraging you because I don't want competition - I don't
even know where you are.  I run a rescue too, but I'm not going to tell you
there are already too many homeless animals in the world.  No - I want you
to know that breeding ferrets is NOT like breeding dogs and cats.  There is
a lot more to it.  What will you do with the kits?  Do you have homes lined
up?  Are the parents from good bloodlines?  Do you know they are NOT
related?  So many questions....
 
If you do decide to breed, I am here to help.  There are several breeders on
the FML.  We will all help you.  All we ask is to think before you act.  It
is not your life that you are playing with.
 
Pam Grant
[Posted in FML issue 1392]