Hi Gwen

I have 4 birds, and have had as many as 17 ferrets. (I rescue/hospice)
My birds are larger, in our living area, each has a floor stand cage
with a play/perch top.

I had one ferret that would go to any length to *get* a bird, and did
one time when the bird was spooked and went to the floor. No injury as
I was right there to take the bird from the ferret, but I can tell you
this gentle, sweet, any kid can hold ferret meant business. That bird
was now *his* and he was not giving it back willingly.

My grand daughter visited with her Cockatiel. This bird was put in a
room with the door closed, and not allowed near the ferrets. It was
easy to see the bird was nervous and the ferrets excited.

That said, my main concern is for the ferrets. The can reach enough to
stick a wee nose through the bottom of the cages. The one determined
boy (since passed on) figured a way to climb into the bottom tray,
then up the side. Had I not seen him do it, I would not have believed
it possible.

I'm not saying you should not have birds and ferrets, just be aware it
will be harder than you imagine to keep the peace. Depending on which
Conure you are considering, know that they are incredibly noisy/loud.
That could really bother a sensitive ferret.

Quakers less so, but are less independent and somewhat demanding for
attention.

My guess is the Gabriel foundation will not adopt to anyone with
ferrets. I could be wrong, but I will not adopt ferrets to anyone with
birds.

I now have my home divided to accommodate both. The ferrets no longer
have full access to the living room area where the birds are, and the
birds are not out of the cages unless one or both of us are home and
in the house. It was a tough adjustment for all.

Ardith

[Posted in FML 7190]