>From: "D.J. & Liz" <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Chromes Disease Well in humans there is Crohn's disease which is a autoimmune disease affecting the digestive tract. Its also called an inflammatory bowel disease. Closely related to things like spastic colon and colitis. I have not heard that it affects ferrets. It has symptoms that can seem sort of like something like ECE. Diarrhea and destruction of the intestines. Its really off topic unless someone can say it does affect ferrets so we'll leave it with this. >From: Bailey L Goodman <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: Marshall Farms >I have heard a fair amount of banter about ferrets from Marshall Farms. >There seems to be some debate as to lifespans, etc. Can anyone clue me >in as to where these statistics may be obtained? Unfortunately no scientific study has ever been performed. >From: zen and the art of ferrets - bill and diane <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: shelter lists; neutering; CA DNR Folks had askd some questions and suggested I answer them here. Male ferrets start losing their drive at maybe 5 years old. A vasectomized hob is important pretty much only for their drive and lack of sperm. So younger hobs are chosen by folks like us to get their high sexual drive. They get lots of business from jills being "not bred". When breeding ferrets are retired they are eithered spayed or neutered. >From: Dave Palmieri <[log in to unmask]> >Subject: introducing breeders A retired breeder from a ranch situation will have had less experience with people. There are likely to be "disagreements". Females are not very territorial usually. Males are still hormonnal for a few weeks after the surgery. After that though they are fine - or rather they are pretty much just like other ferrets. bill and diane killian zen and the art of ferrets http://www.zenferret.com/ mailto:[log in to unmask] [Posted in FML issue 1893]