I'm not sure how accurate this is, but I have heard that the reason you don't throw rice at weddings, bird seed instead, is because birds eat the rice, drink water, then will die because of the reaction. I have never used rice bens, but most of the people I have talked to use them only under supervision. I suggest every one do the same. Again, I don't know, but I think if a ferret eats enough it will do the same thing. Brandy [Posted in FML issue 3490]