Over the past 3 or 4 months, I have read and followed the 'anti-breeding'
campaign of a number of contributors here on the FML.
 
In most cases, their qualifications and credentials are spotless and I
value their input on just about all subjects I have seen them reflect upon.
But.....I am going to take them all to task on something that really bugs
me, their general negativity towards a novice contemplating breeding their
ferret.
 
Please note my qualifications on making my observations: I have been in the
general husbandry business for most of my life, 56 years.  I grew up on a
horse ranch and my mom had the David's Den Kennels where some mighty fine
champion AKC German Shepherd dogs were bred, as well as many a CD, CDX,
and Utility Dog obedience degree'd animal emerged.  I have bred and raised
birds, reptiles (Both snakes and lizards), many different rodents, dogs,
and cats.  (Whoopee!) So, I have a bit of expertise to base my following
comments on.
 
I keep reading, "Don't breed your ferret!  You need experience and
knowledge."  Well, DUH!  How does one propose that experience and knowledge
be acquired?  By reading about it?  Only a very small part of it is
acquired that way.  The 'doing' is where it all comes from.  Most of the
nay-sayers to breeding one's ferret comes from breeders.  Uhhhh..how did
**YOU** get your experience?  You probably started with one ferret and
learned the hard way that in breeding an animal, anything can happen.
But..YOU DID IT!  You didn't listen to the negative comments, if any were
offered.  When you heard (If you did) that you can lose livestock for any
number of reasons, you went ahead anyway, thinking it couldn't happen to
you or that it was an acceptable risk.  You probably tore your hair out a
few times and muttered a few, 'Oh why did I ever do this?' comments.  But,
despite the setbacks and the frustrations, you persisted and today are
successfull breeders.  So, why are most of you so anti-individual breeder?
Don't want the competition?  I doubt that.  Overly protective of the
ferret?  Probably, but, did **that** stop you?  NO!
 
My point is: so what?  If someone wishes to breed their ferret, let them
do it!  Help them, don't put them down for the thought.  Guide them!  Help
them!  Sorry to all my friends here on the FML who will disagree with me.
YOU ARE ALL WRONG to try and dampen ones thoughts of breeding.  You should
always advise of the possible roadblocks and pitfalls, but should ALWAYS
encourage the new breeder if they decide to proceed.  Remember, YOU started
exactly the same way they are, why not remember how it was with you and
offer them some of the things that helped you along?
 
And for those of you interested in breeding your ferret, jump in with both
feet!  Just be aware that certain things can happen.  All the way from a
successfull breeding and you end up with a litter of healthy kits to
possibly losing your mama ferret due to complications with the pregnancy.
Start small, understand and accept the risks and potential for disaster,
realize that you will be devoting much of your time for 3 or 4 months to
your (new) charges, and be prepared for one of the most wonderful
experiences of your life.
 
If you don't try, you will never know the joy (or heartache) of being a
ferret breeder, if but for only one time.
 
For our ferrets
 
MC
(With Garret, Snorkle, and Tuzigoot.  In spirit, Bubba and Billy-Bob)
[Posted in FML issue 2745]