Mary posts that the certificate she saw for some pet store ferrets indicated they were shipped at 5-6 weeks old. This agrees with what I have seen in a local shop that posts the Marshall's certificate on the side of the cage. According to MF's own paperwork (at least that I've seen), they are grouped by week born, Sunday - Saturday, and are shipped the week after the youngest ones turn 5 weeks. Those shipped early in the week will be just over 5 to just over 6 weeks old, those shipped later in the week are almost 6 to almost 7 weeks. Some shops put them out for sale immediately, some keep them in the back a few days. Some shops moisten their food, some do not. A 5 week old ferret is uncoordinated in its movements and may have a great deal of difficulty with hard food. Adult teeth don't appear until 7-8 weeks. I forgot who posted a little bit ago that a Marshall rep said they ship at 6-8 weeks. Their own paperwork contradicts that. I don't begrudge Marshall Farms their desire to run a business and make a profit. I do wish we could collectively find a way to convince them it is better in the long run for them, the ferrets and their owners, if they keep the kits with their mothers for just a few more days. Linda Iroff North Coast Ferret Shelter West "The Raisin Retreat" http://www.oberlin.edu/~liroff/ncfs.html [Posted in FML issue 2289]