>From:    Keith Welding <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: I AM SO CONFUSED
>Now I am really confused on what to do.  I have gotton mixed answers on
>whether or not it is safe to feed your fuzzie raw meat.
 
You will continue to get mixed answers.  There is not universal agreement.
Some say yes.  Some say no.  But what do polecats eat?  Ferrets are polecats
beneath some domestications.  Ferrets are not people.  Though in this family
we eat a lot of sushi and even steak tartar.  Obviously tainted or spoiled
meat should not be eaten raw.  Heck we won't eat it cooked.
 
>From:    Sheila Crompton <[log in to unmask]>
>Subject: Companions Choice Ferret Food & Shows
>OK in here in the UK we call a polecat coloured ferret a polecat ferret,
>but it's still a ferret. We normally only have 4 colour divisions in our
>ferret shows - albino, polecat, sandy and coloured - the coloured takes
>in all colours not covered by the first three classes - we just don't go
>in for all the different classes for colour variations.
 
FYI - in the US most ferret shows have evolved away from judging the main
event or "Championship rings" based on color seperation.  All ferrets in the
class are judged together.  Classes are kit (under 7 or 6 months), alter
(spayed or neutered adults) and breeder/adult (uncut adults).
 
This split up works out pretty well.  The hard core showers tend to be
breeders and concentrate on that class.  Less ahrd core or typical ferret
owners don't have whole ferrets so they dominate the alter class.  There is
no penalty for alters.  The trophies are exactly the same "size".  So are
kits but in there because its age only breeders and casual owners compete
more directly.  Color is (in the AFA) only 5 of 100 points.  The GLFA went
along this way.  LIFE may have changed from their larger percentage by now.
"Points" toward "titles" accrue in all three of these classes.
 
Color and specialty rings are a more fun competition base and except in LIFE
no accruing of points is done.  Here ferrets are judged predominatly on
color if its a color specialty.  Or at a low percentage level if its in a
different kind of specialty such as shelter.  The AFA has dropped any
support for handicapped or old timers rings.  Most older ferrets don't need
the stress.  Handicapped rings devolve into freak shows where the "most
handicapped" wins.
 
This isn't to say US shows or either better or worse than shows anywhere.
Just a difference in approach.
 
bill and diane killian
zen and the art of ferrets
http://www.zenferret.com/
mailto:[log in to unmask]
[Posted in FML issue 2323]