| Your Opinions Please................. - CLICK HERE for the Pet Manual Forum Home Page |
| ferret_lover |
Of the three ferrets that I've ever owned, all three were pet store
ferts. I've been thinking that I want to try and purchase my next fert
from a local breeder. How does the lifespan of the local bred fuzzies
compare to the lifespan of the pet store fuzzies? I know the ones in
the pet store have a lot of medical problems due to mass breeding and
early neuturing, but since the local breeders don't "mass" produce and
wait to a little advanced age to fix them are the lifespan much better
in them?
Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Krystal, Cody, and Koko
|
|
|
| Lin |
I got my Ariel from a small private breeder 3.5 yrs ago. So far, she's had
her left adrenal removed, & is currently being treated for supraventricular
tachycardia, which is almost completely undocumented in ferrets.
Oberon is an MF ferret from a pet store, & is basically healthy as a horse
(other than being deaf).
Max must have come from a private breeder, as he wasn't neutered or
descented when he was turned over to Jean at Ferrets Unlimited ferret
shelter. He's also deaf, & otherwise completely healthy.
This is only 3 fuzzies, but for what's it worth......
Lin, Ariel, Oberon, & Max
"ferret_lover" <codyball@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3FF47D5C.10900@hotmail.com...
> Of the three ferrets that I've ever owned, all three were pet store
> ferts. I've been thinking that I want to try and purchase my next fert
> from a local breeder. How does the lifespan of the local bred fuzzies
> compare to the lifespan of the pet store fuzzies? I know the ones in
> the pet store have a lot of medical problems due to mass breeding and
> early neuturing, but since the local breeders don't "mass" produce and
> wait to a little advanced age to fix them are the lifespan much better
> in them?
>
> Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Krystal, Cody, and Koko
>
|
|
|
| Melissa |
Ferrets from private breeders are not necessarily healthier. There could
be a much larger chance of genetic defects due to limited breeding
stock. There are some breeders who have a whole network of swapping
their ferrets out with ferrets of other breeders for mating, and that
helps with some genetic diversity, but unless you really do a lot of
research, you won't know if the breeder your ferret comes from does
this. A breeder that keeps breeding the same 2 ferrets, and its
offspring, will probably eventually start turning out unhealthy kits.
Although it'd be nice to believe that privately bred ferrets are
healthier, it's not always the case. I know privately bred ferrets that
have had just as many problems as store bought ferrets.
Find some reputable ferret shelters and ask them what their experience
has been w/ the illness and lifespans among ferrets from private vs
commercial breeders. They'd probably have the most numbers to compare
of anybody.
-Melissa
In article <3FF47D5C.10900@hotmail.com>,
ferret_lover <codyball@hotmail.com> wrote:
> Of the three ferrets that I've ever owned, all three were pet store
> ferts. I've been thinking that I want to try and purchase my next fert
> from a local breeder. How does the lifespan of the local bred fuzzies
> compare to the lifespan of the pet store fuzzies? I know the ones in
> the pet store have a lot of medical problems due to mass breeding and
> early neuturing, but since the local breeders don't "mass" produce and
> wait to a little advanced age to fix them are the lifespan much better
> in them?
>
> Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Krystal, Cody, and Koko
>
|
|
|
| Jason and Holly Harper |
I'd have to agree with everyone else. Smaller breeders don't necessarily
mean healthier ferrets. We don't know who bred Zoe, but she was spayed when
we got her, she now is going Adrenal. George came from a local breeder
(don't know who) as he was whole when we got him, he's had mast cell tumors
(totally looks great now btw!). Kolby and Stormy are both from MF and both
extremely healthy.
Holly
"ferret_lover" <codyball@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3FF47D5C.10900@hotmail.com...
> Of the three ferrets that I've ever owned, all three were pet store
> ferts. I've been thinking that I want to try and purchase my next fert
> from a local breeder. How does the lifespan of the local bred fuzzies
> compare to the lifespan of the pet store fuzzies? I know the ones in
> the pet store have a lot of medical problems due to mass breeding and
> early neuturing, but since the local breeders don't "mass" produce and
> wait to a little advanced age to fix them are the lifespan much better
> in them?
>
> Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Krystal, Cody, and Koko
>
|
|
|
| jumpingmouse & kylie |
If I could guess about what might make a ferret live longer, I would go for
a ferret who wasn't neutered until he/she reached sexual maturity and was
not taken from the mother at 4 or 5 weeks old. Other than that, the
research of genetics of the health and longevity of the parents would
probably be a determining factor.
Other than that, I have heard that Marshall Ferrets are the sweetest
tempered ferrets of all (I know, that's a topic for argument - I'm not
asking for one).
My personal first choice is a ferret who has come from a less than
desireable situation. They seem to appreciate life, toys, love and hugs
maybe more than a ferret who has had an easy life all along. They seem to be
the most appreciative and bond to you much stronger.
Just my humble opinion from my experience.........not loooking for an
argument.
jumpingmouse & kylie (rescued from abusive situation at 3 months old with
lots of quirks, but you would be hard pressed to find a more devoted,
loving, obedient little girl)
"ferret_lover" <codyball@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:3FF47D5C.10900@hotmail.com...
> Of the three ferrets that I've ever owned, all three were pet store
> ferts. I've been thinking that I want to try and purchase my next fert
> from a local breeder. How does the lifespan of the local bred fuzzies
> compare to the lifespan of the pet store fuzzies? I know the ones in
> the pet store have a lot of medical problems due to mass breeding and
> early neuturing, but since the local breeders don't "mass" produce and
> wait to a little advanced age to fix them are the lifespan much better
> in them?
>
> Any insight would be greatly appreciated.
>
>
> Regards,
>
> Krystal, Cody, and Koko
>
|
|
|
| Kathouze |
>If I could guess about what might make a ferret live longer, I would go for
>a ferret who wasn't neutered until he/she reached sexual maturity and was
>not taken from the mother at 4 or 5 weeks old.
I can't speak on that,but Miss Honey,who was spayed at 2,just turned 7
today.She probably has adrenal,but she is an older fert.She is basically
healthy,just losing her fur.Just gave her a shot of Lupron last month,so we'll
see what happens next.
Sandy and the Dook City Gang
Tempus Fuzzit
kathouze pictures
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery...ername=kathouze
|
|
|
| Brett Middleton |
"jumpingmouse & kylie" <jumpingmouse02@earthlink.net> wrote:
>Other than that, the research of genetics of the health and longevity
>of the parents would probably be a determining factor.
JM, as a livestock geneticist, I can guarantee you that animals can be
selected for health and longevity. Poultry (especially chickens) have
been selected for many, many years for resistance to specific poultry
diseases. Likewise some swine have been selected for resistance to
swine diseases. Some cattle have been selected for longevity for many
years. There is no reason why ferrets can't be selected for the same
traits. Genetics is not destiny, but it sure helps!
>Other than that, I have heard that Marshall Ferrets are the sweetest
>tempered ferrets of all (I know, that's a topic for argument - I'm not
>asking for one).
I don't know about MF ferts, and I won't argue the point, but I know
that several breeds of cattle are selected for good temperament.
Hereford cattle are particularly well known to have good tempers. Some
other breeds of cattle are known to have bad tempers, and some of the
breeders of those breeds are working very hard to select for better
temperaments, with great success. Temperament is scientifically proven
to be under some degree of genetic control in several species, such as
cattle, horses and dogs, and there is no reason to believe that ferrets
are an exception to the rule. If someone wants to breed sweet-tempered
fuzzies, they can! (Which fact doesn't prove that MF *is* doing it. I
can't prove that without data, so I'm not asking for argument, either.)
>My personal first choice is a ferret who has come from a less than
>desireable situation. They seem to appreciate life, toys, love and hugs
>maybe more than a ferret who has had an easy life all along. They seem to be
>the most appreciative and bond to you much stronger.
Well, that's not genetics, it's environment. As I said, genetics is not
destiny. You can overcome some bad genetics with good environment.
But, if you have good genetics *and* good environment ... B-)
>Just my humble opinion from my experience.........not loooking for an
>argument.
Not "argument", JM, but "discussion"!
That's what APF is for, isn't it? So thanks for starting this.
Brett
*SLMW 1.0* A ferret at rest cannot be stopped.
|
|
|
| jumpingmouse & kylie |
I absolutely agreee with you that all these things CAN be bred into our
ferrets.......but are they? That's where I have no facts, so I guess that's
why I kept saying that I wasn't looking for an argument. There are those in
the ferret community who will argue all day about the 'facts', which I don't
believe are available to us common folks :-) Anyway, I certainly
appreciate your input Brett. I believe your points are valid..........now
get a job at Marshall Farms, Path Valley, or someplace that will do us some
good! :-)))
jumpingmouse & kylie
"Brett Middleton" <brettm@uga.edu> wrote in message
news:fl5avv873us4vud954kujh4nq3idn09naa@4ax.com...
> "jumpingmouse & kylie" <jumpingmouse02@earthlink.net> wrote:
> >Other than that, the research of genetics of the health and longevity
> >of the parents would probably be a determining factor.
>
> JM, as a livestock geneticist, I can guarantee you that animals can be
> selected for health and longevity. Poultry (especially chickens) have
> been selected for many, many years for resistance to specific poultry
> diseases. Likewise some swine have been selected for resistance to
> swine diseases. Some cattle have been selected for longevity for many
> years. There is no reason why ferrets can't be selected for the same
> traits. Genetics is not destiny, but it sure helps!
>
> >Other than that, I have heard that Marshall Ferrets are the sweetest
> >tempered ferrets of all (I know, that's a topic for argument - I'm not
> >asking for one).
>
> I don't know about MF ferts, and I won't argue the point, but I know
> that several breeds of cattle are selected for good temperament.
> Hereford cattle are particularly well known to have good tempers. Some
> other breeds of cattle are known to have bad tempers, and some of the
> breeders of those breeds are working very hard to select for better
> temperaments, with great success. Temperament is scientifically proven
> to be under some degree of genetic control in several species, such as
> cattle, horses and dogs, and there is no reason to believe that ferrets
> are an exception to the rule. If someone wants to breed sweet-tempered
> fuzzies, they can! (Which fact doesn't prove that MF *is* doing it. I
> can't prove that without data, so I'm not asking for argument, either.)
>
> >My personal first choice is a ferret who has come from a less than
> >desireable situation. They seem to appreciate life, toys, love and hugs
> >maybe more than a ferret who has had an easy life all along. They seem to
be
> >the most appreciative and bond to you much stronger.
>
> Well, that's not genetics, it's environment. As I said, genetics is not
> destiny. You can overcome some bad genetics with good environment.
> But, if you have good genetics *and* good environment ... B-)
>
> >Just my humble opinion from my experience.........not loooking for an
> >argument.
>
> Not "argument", JM, but "discussion"!
>
> That's what APF is for, isn't it? So thanks for starting this.
>
> Brett
>
> *SLMW 1.0* A ferret at rest cannot be stopped.
>
|
|
|
| Brett Middleton |
"jumpingmouse & kylie" <jumpingmouse02@earthlink.net> wrote:
>Anyway, I certainly appreciate your input Brett. I believe your points are
>valid..........now get a job at Marshall Farms, Path Valley, or someplace that
>will do us some good! :-)))
JM,
"Get a job at Marshall"? I WISH!! At least then I would be back living
in the northeast, where I don't have to run my air conditioner in
January! And Marshall Farms would probably pay more than the University
of Georgia.
In any case, I wish some outfit like Marshall or Path Valley WOULD hire
somebody like me as a consultant to analyze all the data they must have.
I would even sign the usual nondisclosure agreement, just to have some
numbers to work with.
But, why SHOULD they hire somebody like me? Unlike a beef, dairy, sheep
or swine farmer, Marshall won't make any more money using the results of
a genetic analysis than they do already, because they have a captive
market. A beef rancher has to try to breed better calves every year,
because he's competing with all the other beef ranchers. OTOH, Marshall
can easily sell every kit they produce, good or bad. So they have no
real incentive to improve the genetics of their stock.
The small/hobby breeders DO have an interest in improving their stock by
breeding for temperament, health, etc. But, they don't have enough data
to perform a good genetic analysis. (They COULD gather enough data if
they could get together and form a ferret registry association, but I
don't think that's going to happen any time soon. The politics are just
too negative to let that happen.)
Brett
*SLMW 1.0* A ferret at rest cannot be stopped.
|
|
|
| gilowyn |
Now, let's see... even Marshal's market will eventually turn smaller when a) the market is saturated (which it should be, with some 7 million ferrets owned in the US), and b) more breeders enter the market.
What better way to improve your market share when you can provide data about the longevity, health, and sweet temperament of your ferret? Apply, tell them ferret community will appreciate this kind of data, and that it can be used in marketing - should work!
As for comparison by country: We obviously don't have MF in the Netherlands. Here, ferrets will never have their anal glands removed, because it is against the law (except for health problems, obviously), and they won't be neutered before the age of 6 months. I read that ferrets will live longer if neutered later, since they need the hormones to grow resistance to sickness. You could contact one of our ferret clubs (http://www.frettenclub.nl being the biggest) and see what they consider "normal" age for ferrets... |
|
|
|
|
|
|
