From:
"Tressie"
Date: 2008-01-19 17:00:23 UTC
Subject: [ferrethealth] Re: I need help
To: ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com
You don't say whether Hydra has been alone for any length of time. I
believe a ferret who has been alone for 2 or more years is not likely to
accept another ferret according to what I have been advised by a number
of experienced long-term ferret owners.
If this is not the case then introductions should proceed slowly. Hydra
may be an Alpha exerting her dominance over the newbies. This is her
natural instinct and role and should be accepted as such.
I believe the rule of thumb is if there's blood or poop then the
interactions are overly aggressive and the integration needs to be
slowed down. You will know if a Newbie is overly frightened by picking
up Hydra and if the little one jumps up at her then he/she is not overly
terrified. Another way to check is to pick up the one being attacked
and put it down - if it runs away from Hydra it is too soon, whereas if
he/she runs toward Hydra then they are doing the normal establishing of
social order and should be allowed to continue unless things get too
hairy, i.e. the little one will poop if genuinely frightened.
Allowing them to smell each other but not have direct contact is a good
idea, for example using a playpen. Switching bedding between them
allows them to get accustomed to each other's smells. Others I'm sure
will have many good suggestions.
It took my Alpha 3 months to accept and get along with a pair I brought
home last year. Whereas it only took 2 weeks for her to accept another
one I introduced into the business later that year. She loves them all
now and is very nurturing and plays with them. So the adjustment period
does depend on individual dynamics.
My understanding is that you should allow at least 6 months transition
time. If they still do not get along after that, its not likely to
occur.
If Hydra has not been a sole ferret for more than 2 years, try not to
get too discouraged, it will take patience and time but in the end they
should get along.
--- In ferrethealth@yahoogroups.com, "jasmine j" <jsmebjnsn@...> wrote:
>
> We got two new ferrets from a friend yesterday. Hydra keeps on
> attacking Medusa and Electra. Her attacks are very vericouse. We are
> keeping them seperated in the cage(it being a ferret nation cage they
> are being kept on the bottom of one cage and its locked so they cant
> interact.) Is there anything that we can do becuase as of right now
> they cant even have play time together. I dont want to have to rehome
> them as we just got them but at what point and time do you know that
> its just not going to work?? Please i need help here we have never had
> problems with adding ferrets to our bunch. Also if Hydra is having
> problems with these two would that be an indicator that she would have
> problems with any other ferret that we were to bring in. Thank you all
> for any help and ideas. I know we have only had them for 24 hours but
> i dont want anyone to get hurt. I hope that this topic is ok for this
> board.
>
> Jasmine
>
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