Hello FML - Have not visited these pages for a while because my computer has
been having problems, and having problems getting in FML from AOL.  Times
like this make me glad I have a son who is so deeply into computer
technology and security and stuff that I haven't a clue as to what he does.
This kid was a hacker at an extremely young age and at a time when most
people thought MacIntosh was a consumable apple.  Well, two degrees and a
fortune spent in education later - he is still on the computers.  Glad he
can hop down from N.Y.  to help poor dumb mom out of glitches.  He installs
scans and screens (or something) which I call scams and screams.
 
Over the last week I have had some calls looking for hobs in season.  Seems
jills are beginning to think about families.  Those who live in the Metro
D.C. area or along the east coast, might want to list out any of their boys
who are up and able :-).  I have a young blaze hob who is just about in for
his first season.  Another one will soon be in.  I have had a number of
inquiries about Black Hawk, but he is not ready yet.  Pat Ball of Treasured
Ferrets has two cinnamon hobs and a sable in season.  Virginia Finchum of
Ferretland has a couple of hobs ready.  Since I have had calls to see if my
black sable was ready -- any who have a black sable boy might want to
communicate that information.
 
I have also had several inquiries and comments about difficulty in getting
ferrets to try new food that is good for them -- or rather food that we deem
is good for them.  Whenever I am introducing a new food, I employ a few
tricks.  First, I put small portions of the new food in a place that is not
their feeding area -- like on a table, or arm of a chair, or corner of the
bed, etc.  As soon as it is investigated, I say "no, no" and quickly pick
the ferret up (since I have so many, this activity can usually take an
evening).  Then I accidentally on purpose let them steal a piece.  I give
chase - and get it back if I can.  The ferrets usually start spending a lot
of their time trying to outwit me and get the forbidden food.  I gradually
let them win.  Soon it is introduced in small amounts to their feed.  Some
will actually pick this out and dump the bowls.  This "trick" usually works
because as we all know -- ferrets always are up to a challenge and want what
they are not supposed to have.
 
There has been a lot of comment on screaming ferrets.  I have a couple who
will scream when they are very excited and into exciting games around the
house.  I also have a hob who screams more than he dooks.  He usually will
scream when play is rough, or he is getting tired.  He also, for some
reason, will scream when he starts to play with another hob who looks like
him -- in fact, both of them will start screaming.  If I pick them up and
hold them apart, they will look at each other and scream.  Go figure.  My
conclusion -- unless the screamer is screeching because something has really
scared him or her, or the ferret has been stepped on, or the ferret is in a
play/battle situation that has gotten too rough -- don't worry.  You just
have what you probably have already figured out -- a ferret that
communicates in part by screaming.
 
I like Pam Grant's recent advice on introducing a new ferret.  Good advice.
Mine is similar but cramped a bit because of large group - I never know who
is dominant.  A young whole hob recently suffered an ear bite, which despite
several visits to the vet, ended up with some cauliflowering -- overgrowth
of cartilege.  This was my first ear injury aside from a jill a couple of
years ago who came to me with a torn ear.  Since my group is rough and
tumble, I often put bitter apple on the back neck area and near the ears.  I
use the liquid, but Pam Grant recently told me there is an ointment form,
which I did not know, but I will definitely be trying it because the liquid
dissipates fairly fast.
 
I also liked Bob's advice on dragging around something smelly and in
convoluted area for ferrets to track with a treat at the end.  Sounds like a
good new game to employ and I will try it.  When my guys are bored, the go
on wreaking missions -- like dumping the top shelf in a closet, dumping a
book case and endlessly getting to spots where they are not supposed to be.
I have an old purse with a heavy zipper that I will often put out and
various ferrets will spent forever working to get it open.  Purse is usally
filled with scrunched up paper.  Once they get a small opening, they will
work forever to get the paper out.  I also duct tape three or four dryer
vent tubes together and snake them all over a room and over objects and
twisted around.  Ferrets spend hours zipping through the "puzzle tunnel".
While this is a good game - I have had a problem with it.  Once Sparky - at
full weight - got caught in the tunnel.  Once he got his head in, he kept
going.  So much of the tube was bunched around his middle that I had to use
wire cutters to get him out.  Most hobs have the sense not to go in if their
heads get stuck, but you can't always count on it.  Moral, if you use a
tunnel, make sure your ferrets can get safely through it.
 
Sqeaky toys are a good way to call your ferrets, usually at a run, but as
some of you have already noted -- some ferrets seem upset about this and you
might get nipped.  I have noticed that my jills who have had kits get
extremely upset and will shake and aggressively search, and even sometimes
bite me.  Because of this, I have limited my squeaky calls to emergency
situations when I cannot locate a ferret Usually, I will call in a high
voice "Mama's babies, where are mama's babies?" And repeat.  The responding
ferrets always get treats, so I use this call when I need to gather the
hoard.  The words are silly, of course, but would probably work with any
words you wish to try as long as you pitch your voice high and reward with
treats.  Gotta go, this is too long already..  best, meg.
[Posted in FML issue 1454]