Cathy Jo wanted to know about Marshall Farms ferrets.  In our home over
the last 18 years or so they've had about the same level of health as we've
seen with anyone else's which are not retired breeders (If you get a
chance to adopt a retired breeder think seriously about it; we have been
exceedingly happy with that; have not tried male retired breeders because
Steve is seriously allergic to whole male musk.).  Anyway, MFs in our
family have been as healthy as anyone else.  We have not had any early
adrenals or early insulinomae -- all age 5 or older so far -- with anyone
from any source.  In general the MFs we've had have been a bit more
inclined toward gentleness but there's a load of variation in there so it's
not a broad signature.
 
MF has some things which really need changing at their farm to be improved,
but some of the other large farms MIGHT HAVE THE SAME PROBLEMS.  Have NOT
found anyone here who has done the work needed to know any answer to that
-- but have seen a lot of people who ASSUME that the others must be better.
Well, you know what they say about "Assume": " Ass - u (you) - me".
Personally, I'd like to see ALL of such farms (MF, Path Valley, Triple F,
Hagan, etc.) checked and compared instead of simple scapegoating, and
PROGRESS MADE TO MAKE ALL FIT A HIGHER STANDARD.  The worst we have learned
about have been some backyard breeders, and the best we have learned about
have been some private breeders.
 
Meanwhile, Lisette, please, if you have not already done so (Hoping that
you have.) -- contact MF so that they can try to track down the breeder
on these kits.  If their action going after someone who is copying their
documents closes one even one backyard breeder you will have saved DOZENS
of ferret lives!!!!!!  If anyone wants to read about backyard breeders
there are a number of articles in past FMLs; be prepared to cry and to have
nightmares.  Yes, there are a lot of things MF needs to change within their
own operation, but that doesn't mean that they don't have a big stick which
they can use to go after those who are worse when there's reason to do so
(like using their documents).
[Posted in FML issue 3039]