>From:    Olivier Cornu <[log in to unmask]>
>
>...In first about the hydidization between ferret and polecat (european
>polecat, Mustela putorius): I confirm me too had seeing a webmaster
>who success the experience and keept the hybrids kids.  This is rarely
>repported in the ferret's owners.  That take place in Scotland, by the
>webmaster of Scottish Ferret, John Allan.
>
>His website was been on provider Argonet, but out of order since few
>weeks!  If Seila (british NFWS) read me, I want to be sure if J. Allan
>is the person who Sheila Crompton said she knew?
 
I have had several long phone conversations with John on the subject of
hybrids in which I expressed my concerns regarding polecat x ferret
breeding.
 
>That he show is: -a darker fur as I'd never seen on ferret (indeed the
>kits are often darker than adults) - evenmore, differential behaviour
>reaction between ferrets kids he had nursing and hybrids he had nursing;
>J.  Allan relate that the hybrids are more speed and more fearfull than
>his ferret's kits.
 
The last time I spoke to John about the crosses he said that he wasn't
happy with the hybrids and that as far as he was concerned he wouldn't
be carrying on with that particular breeding programme.  I don't know
whether John was aiming for darker ferrets or for better workers.  He may
have ended up with a darker colour but ended up with a ferret X that
would just as soon as latch onto a judges finger than be examined, and as
for working... I think the hybrid would have done a runner as soon as it
was put down a rabbit bury.
 
BTW John no longer keeps ferrets due to a change in his circumstances.
 
My working ferrets are completely laid back, in fact I use them for my PR
work.  I will be trying out a couple of novice ferrets tomorrow when I go
ferreting.  Arwen and Flower are both in oestrus and as I only put them
to Lochan, my vasectomised hob, a couple of days ago I am reluctant to
use them.  I might take Robin and Florian two young castrated hobs to see
how they shape up.  Should be a 'fun day' as Lucy, my lurcher bitch, is
also in season - however, she was very interested when I packing my purse
nets in my ferreting bag.
 
--
Sheila
Bolton Ferret Welfare
Web Site: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/ferreter/bolton.htm
                             last update 5 Dec 2002
NFWS web site http://www.nfws.net updated 1st Feb 2003
Waiting at Rainbow Bridge:- Jill, Deanna Troi, Cameron, Carnath, Button,
Bill, Bobby, Jasper, Inga, Holly, Fergle, Amanda, Sparky, Daniel,
Blackie, Marvin, Claude, Bumper, Kurt, Tasha Yar, Larry, Lily, Ben,
Fritz, Dax, Kelley, McCoy, Brock, Snowy, Dumpling, Buddy, Stumpy,
Treacle, Max, Scrap, Vanessa, Sarek, Paw Paw, Badger, T.D, Spooky,
Stanley, Tara, Oliver, Alfie & Sindy
[Posted in FML issue 4066]