Hi all from Mass., state of the hidden (multitude of) ferrets. I have had two females for 4 years, a male for 3 years, and as of last week a 9 week old male. When I got my first male, the other two females, then just a year old each, treated him like their own, i.e. carrying him around, clucking when he cried, and always checking up on him. Although my male Darwin is completely passive/non-aggressive, I was only concerned about his reaction to the new male. Well things couldn't have been less predictable. Darwin submitted almost immediately to the kits playful bites and tackles, but has not completely acclimated himself yet (he runs away when things get a little uncomfortable). My small female Jumper, who was Darwin's regular playmate when he was little, got real aggitated and bit the kit, hissing and gurgling. She eventually dragged him under the T.V., which made me feel a little better since that was the behavior I more or less expected. Now as for the "Ultimate" serogate mother, Ruck, who took care of Darwin through most of his infancy, I got the least desirable response. She grabbed him by his neck, twisted and shook him then bit him again. Whenever she is out in the apartment, she actively searches for him (he is in a playpen at the moment). When she finally scales the walls, she sniffs him out then visciously bites his neck and shakes him. He now fears her, runs from her, but she still won't let up. I want to allow him into the rest of my clan, but I fear for his little soul. My question is this: Is there a real danger here? I know about pecking order battles, but should I be letting them occur between a 9 week old and a full grown adult? Is there anything I can do to ease the transition? I fear that if I wait too long, they may never make friends, then my little male will grow up and really do some damage to the female. He appears to be one of those 5 lb. male monsters (Darwin's only 3 lb.). Please let me know what you all think. Thanks for any help you can offer. Andy, Darwin, Ruck, Jumper, and the new kit. [Posted in FML issue 1093]