Regarding water: Our tap water is so hard that I don't even drink it. All the fixtures are orange, it smells nasty, and it tastes awful. It has more iron than a skyscraper. I filter it for me, so I filter it for the ferrets. Is that good enough? Do they need that perfectly mineral-free store-bought kind, or should it be in-between (so they get some minerals)? Regarding Rut: I have a whole male; didn't want one, but that's how he is (rescue). He's 2 years old. You know, I'd always heard how agressive and smelly hobs are, but he's a big, sweet teddy bear. He's only been here a week, though, so we haven't seen "rut." What is it exactly? I know it's when the male is "in season" or "in the mood." But what triggers it, and how often does it occur? Is it messy? I can get him neutered in two weeks. But does he "need" that? What are the pro and con aspects? He'll never again meet a jill in estris, so there's no potential for population. Are there medical reasons to snip or not to snip? The reasons for female de-sexing are clear. Can a male get sick if he remains whole? Is this an anesthetized procedure? And if we opt against the procedure, when and what should I expect from Rut? How will I know? Will he need to be housed separately from the two males and five females (all de-sexed by MF)? Will he "come out of it" on his own, or does he have to have a jill? If his "season" coincides with Cat's "season," will they affect each other? Thanks. Cher [Posted in FML issue 2106]