Just a few general tips on ferret math:
 
1. Space ages when possible.  It is terrible to have two sick or dying
about the same time.  Having three, four, five... doing so is absolutely
horrid.
 
2. Let yourself have a number of years with low numbers of ferrets first
if at all possible.  There's simply a lot to learn about ferret health and
behavior, and a few years won't teach enough of those things.  We never
went above three for the first five years or perhaps even longer.  (It's
hard to remember the dates that far back so am guesstimating.)  Now, here
we are, having had them share our lives for a very long time (about 18
years), and knowing that the early caution paid off for us all, especially
for the ferrets.  Time will pass; it always does.
 
3. DO take in consideration how much time, individual time, observation
time, and money (essentials, medical care, etc) you need for each and let
that also keep you to a number which is best for the ferrets.
 
4. If renting, or if likely to be renting during the ferrets' lifespans
stay to a number you can hide easily unless you have a secure, long term,
written "pets-allowed" arrangement.
 
5. On and off are people who post because they simply got more ferrets
than they could manage and then they got so fed up that instead of
compromising they turned their over-response on it's head and gave up all
of them.  Moderation and logical, loving compromise make for long-term
success.
 
6. Although they are rare ferret allergies do exist.  One of the most
common age brackets for developing allergies (even first allergies, and
even severe allergies) is during one's twenties.  Keeping anything in
moderation at that point makes sense from a health stand-point, too.
 
7, 8, 9, 10: These tip spaces are for other ferret people to fill in and
post...
[Posted in FML issue 3161]