You'd be surprised by how tough a kitten's skin is.  It may appear to be
soft and thin, but remember that mother cats commonly carry their kittens by
the neck, sometimes only by the scruff.
 
I would try the kitten out with a few of the least-dominant ferrets.  Get
right down on the floor with the kitten and let the ferrets approach you and
the kitten.  This gives the ferrets the impression that the kitten is under
your protection, so they should be cautious and may even appear to be a bit
nervous about examining this strange-smelling ferret.  However, I think it
would go well.
 
After this meeting (you may want to do this several times, letting the
kitten play with them for a bit as the introductions progress), try your
more dominant or "forceful" ferrets one at a time.  Use the same procedure,
but be very protective of the kitten.  If the ferret shows any signs of
aggressiveness, scruff the ferret, or hold it down to the floor.  Again,
this establishes the fact that you will protect the kitten from the ferrets.
 
After about a week, you should be able to leave the kitten free to mix with
the ferrets for limited amounts of time, which will grow with exposure.  If,
while they are mingling and rubbing elbows, one of the more aggressive
ferrets tries to dominate the kitten, let it go for a short time to see how
the kitten handles it.  If it doesn't do well, step in and scold the ferret
for what it has done, while caressing the kitten where the ferret can watch.
Ferrets are VERY smart...they soon catch on to what the message is! :)
 
Todd and the (OK...receiving line forms here!) Fuzzbutt Rodeo Clowns!
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[Posted in FML issue 2315]