As we are getting closer to the ferret breeding season I have been getting
some e-mails from folks that are interested in breeding their pets to
"teach the kids about the miracle of life".  Please don't breed your pets!
This is very hard on your pet!  They have many hormonal changes that effect
their behavior (may become aggressive and protective), the jill can develop
aplastic anemia if left in estrus too long, she may have a hard labor that
may kill her or the kits if you don't catch the problem, the jill may not
produce milk, she may develop mastitis and lose her mammary gland (breast)
or her life, and the list goes on.  Please leave ferret breeding to the
people that know about it.  If you want your child to learn "about the
miracle of life" then rent the Nova video about human birth!  Instead of
your pet teaching about life by reproducing, have your pet teach your child
life's lessons - responsibility, unconditional love, the joy of life (in
regards to living it to the fullest), respect, compassion, and
(unfortunately and eventually) the pain and healing of death.
 
Amy Flemming
[log in to unmask]
Flemming Farms - Michigan, USA
Breeding for Quality Ferrets
American, Australian, German, and New Zealand bloodlines
Come see us at http://www.geocities.com/heartland/ranch/9521
 
"For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism"
[Posted in FML issue 2574]