Visual enrichments are important to ferrets, including the introduction
of colors, visual textures, movement, and contrasts.  The careful use of
tone and light can be used to create visual barriers, enhancing feelings
of security for the ferret.  Ferrets seem to be most interested in moving
objects about the size and speed of fleeing small rodents, so a rolling
ball holds more interest than a bouncing one.  Contrast is more important
than color, so a black and white ball has more visual interest than a
single color, or one that tonally drops into the background (I find VERY
dark or light colors most effective).
 
1. Whirling Fertish: Cut three strips of black (dark) and three of white
(light) fabric a foot long and an inch wide.  Fold the strips in half and
tie them together about an inch from the folded edge, forming a loop in
the end.  Tie a string in the loop and hang the Whirling Fertish from
something.  Twist the string until it starts to "knot" and let go!  I
have found it very effective to dip the ends of the fabric in stinky
stuff.
 
2. Balls!: Done the same as above except you use white and black
ping-pong balls.  Use an upholstery needle to pierce the ping-pong ball
with a thick cord.  I recommend placing a button between the ping-pong
ball and the knot; it significantly extends the life of the ping-ball.
I place some sand or grit in some of the ping-pong balls for sound
enrichment.  You can also use plastic eggs (makes it a lot easier to add
sand or jingle bells), but you will have to drill the holes for the cord.
If you are worried about the stuff falling out, possibly endangering your
ferrets or making a mess, just superglue the eggs together and the
problem is solved.
 
3. Boxed Inn: Cut a cardboard box down so the edges are about 4 inches
high.  Cut strips of black (dark) and white (light) fabric about 2 inches
wide and long enough to stretch across the width of the box, adding a
couple of inches for attachment.  You can attach the strips to the box
with staples or white glue, alternating dark to light.  Pour about an
inch of sand or gravel into the box (or hay, grass clippings, leaves,
plastic shopping bags, etc.).  The ferrets can easily slip into the box
between the fabric and will stick their heads up through the strips,
looking like furry sharks.  Spray perfume or something on the fabric.
 
Bob C
[Posted in FML issue 4256]