>From: Catherine Shaffer <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Question for Breeders<< Sweet breeders - yes, small breeders do select for temperament. I can place my lips through the bars of any of my breeder ferret's cages and they will kiss me - not a bite in the box load. Small children can handle anyone except nursing mothers, and I don't like them to nip either. My males do not rip out the back of females necks when mating either. Outside breeding - I'm personally against that. I live in Virginia and I have a jill on a screened in porch right now with her litter and I will feel much better relocating her indoors come the end of October. I don't mind the smell of hobs so I don't mind them indoors. Outdoors - ferrets are susceptible to heartworm from mosquitoes, rabies from stray pets and wild animals looking for food, weather conditions, where do you plan run and socialization time, and protect from freezing and over heating? Other MI breeders - contact the GLFA or look at the STAR* listing. === Food debate: The Food Comparison Chart is now available on Ferret World - I have NOT had time to proof read it, but since so many people are concerned if Iams or Totally Ferret or 8 in 1 or any other quality food is safe or right to feed their ferrets, I think that you all should take a look and see for yourself that there are MANY foods very similar in design that are fit for ferrets, labeled such or not. BTW, this chart was designed before I incorporated the new Eukanuba for cats. I've tried this food with my nursing jill and she loved it. I still advocate a mix of foods BTW, and I use Totally Ferret, Iams, Pro Plan and 8 in 1 (when I can get the 20 pound bag...). The Food Comparison Chart is located at: http://ferret-world.csc.peachnet.edu/STAR/foodchartp1.html ..............peachnet.edu/STAR/foodchartp2.html Let me know of any changes that need to be done. >From: "March, Jim" <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Blackfoots, dietary notes >From: Anonymous Poster <[log in to unmask]> >Whereas the black-footed ferret is nice to look at, those of us in >California don't need the incorrect information that our domesticated >ferrets are related to the black-footed ferrets advertised. >Anon, they *are* related, close enough to breed and produce fertile young. >About as close as dog and wolf, or housecat and bobcat. WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!! The domestic ferret is genetically incapable of producing ANY kind of offspring with the Black-footed Ferret. BFF can mate with polecats and produce fertile young, and domestic ferrets can mate with polecats and produce fertile young, but I have FURO info that says the BFF and domestic ferret can not reproduce, otherwise that would have been the choice of the BFF breeding program in foster mothers and release trials (that is why they are using Chinese polecats instead). Mo Bob - back me up on this!!!!!! Pam Grant [Posted in FML issue 1703]