| A few misc. Questions - CLICK HERE for the Pet Manual Forum Home Page |
| zanes |
Hi all, I am a prospective ferret owner from the UK. I have read the
ferret FAQ, The ferret owners manual and seemingly every other web
resource available, but I still have a few questions. I hope you
knowledgable keepers can help me:
1. What kind of gradients can ferrets tolerate in a tube? would, say,
45 degrees from horizontal be too much to allow for normal movement?
2. How long should I walk a ferret for? (In terms of time and
distance) Is this really just a ferrets preference?
3. What size should tubes be? I appreciate that there are commercially
manufactures plastic tubes, but at the price they are for what they
are, I'd rather spend the cash on a bigger cage, more toys, etc.etc.
Dryer hose seems to be a popular choice, how durable are these? (for
that matter, can we get clear ones in the UK (It would be my luck to
get a claustraphobic ferret!)
Thanks in Advance
Zanes (zan 'dot' e-s 'at' talk21 'dot' com)<---Please use this address
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| Gar & Dar |
1. My experience shows completely different abilities, some can climb
straight up and down, as long as there is something to get a grip on,
of course as they get older it gets more difficult for them. Experiment
and see, but keep safety in mind, if they fall, will they get hurt.
2. Most ferts seem to like to sniff about for a short time, 15 minutes or
so and then are quite happy to go in. Some hate to go outside, and I had
one who would walk for a couple of hours and many blocks if you let him.
We would decide that enough was enough for him. Basically you keep
picking him up, feel the pads, feel the body, if either feeling cold or hot,
depending on the weather, then call it quits.
3. I have used the dryer hose, they can be destroyed quite quickly, I have
used the ones sold for ferts, they last but are so pricey, but, the best is
one I make myself and they seem to like the best. I take 4" plastic plumbing
connectors and with those plastic zip ties attach to them the cut off legs
of an old pair of jeans. You can make it as long as you like, complex by
using Y and T connectors. The plastic makes it easy for them to get in
and out, the cloth makes it easy for them to bounce on the one who is
inside, from the outside, they can turn around easily, and you can remove
the legs to launder and then reattach.
"zanes" <edwarda@wycliffe.co.uk> wrote in message
news:f30881eb.0410270029.45e2b9f5@posting.google.com...
> Hi all, I am a prospective ferret owner from the UK. I have read the
> ferret FAQ, The ferret owners manual and seemingly every other web
> resource available, but I still have a few questions. I hope you
> knowledgable keepers can help me:
>
> 1. What kind of gradients can ferrets tolerate in a tube? would, say,
> 45 degrees from horizontal be too much to allow for normal movement?
>
> 2. How long should I walk a ferret for? (In terms of time and
> distance) Is this really just a ferrets preference?
>
> 3. What size should tubes be? I appreciate that there are commercially
> manufactures plastic tubes, but at the price they are for what they
> are, I'd rather spend the cash on a bigger cage, more toys, etc.etc.
> Dryer hose seems to be a popular choice, how durable are these? (for
> that matter, can we get clear ones in the UK (It would be my luck to
> get a claustraphobic ferret!)
>
> Thanks in Advance
>
>
> Zanes (zan 'dot' e-s 'at' talk21 'dot' com)<---Please use this address
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| zanes |
edwarda@wycliffe.co.uk (zanes) wrote in message news:<f30881eb.0410270029.45e2b9f5@posting.google.com>...
> Hi all, I am a prospective ferret owner from the UK. I have read the
> ferret FAQ, The ferret owners manual and seemingly every other web
> resource available, but I still have a few questions. I hope you
> knowledgable keepers can help me:
>
> 1. What kind of gradients can ferrets tolerate in a tube? would, say,
> 45 degrees from horizontal be too much to allow for normal movement?
>
> 2. How long should I walk a ferret for? (In terms of time and
> distance) Is this really just a ferrets preference?
>
> 3. What size should tubes be? I appreciate that there are commercially
> manufactures plastic tubes, but at the price they are for what they
> are, I'd rather spend the cash on a bigger cage, more toys, etc.etc.
> Dryer hose seems to be a popular choice, how durable are these? (for
> that matter, can we get clear ones in the UK (It would be my luck to
> get a claustraphobic ferret!)
>
> Thanks in Advance
>
>
> Zanes (zan 'dot' e-s 'at' talk21 'dot' com)<---Please use this address
Sorry guys, gals and fuzzies, more questions!!!
1. Can you guys look here:
http://www.companionschoice.co.uk/s...s%20and%20Homes
.. In particular, look at the townhouse. It seems like a lot of cage
for the money, so wheres the catch?
2. Looking at that cage, It seems that the floors and ramps are made
out of wire. Isn't this bad for ferrets? What kind of things should I
clad them with (Or should I buy the cage for its shell, and then junk
the internals and scratch build them?)
3. If the affore mentioned cage turns out to be crap (as it probably
will, as I like the size/price ratio, and I think it would be ideal)
what would be a cage to go for on that page. Yes, ideally I would get
the Super Pet Ferret Kingdom, but for two ferrets, and £310 it seems
like overkill (No, before you guys start, cost is NOT an issue.) I
can't seem to find reccomended dimensions for cages anywhere. There
was some at extreme weezils, but I can't verify them. Any ideas?
Thanks in Advance
Zanes (zan 'dot' e-s 'at' talk21 'dot' com)<---Please use this address
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| LinTK |
"zanes" <edwarda@wycliffe.co.uk> wrote > Sorry guys, gals and fuzzies, more
questions!!!
>
> 1. Can you guys look here:
>
http://www.companionschoice.co.uk/s...17&subcat=15&ca
t=Cages%20and%20Homes
> . In particular, look at the townhouse. It seems like a lot of cage
> for the money, so wheres the catch?
>
> 2. Looking at that cage, It seems that the floors and ramps are made
> out of wire. Isn't this bad for ferrets? What kind of things should I
> clad them with (Or should I buy the cage for its shell, and then junk
> the internals and scratch build them?)
>
> 3. If the affore mentioned cage turns out to be crap (as it probably
> will, as I like the size/price ratio, and I think it would be ideal)
> what would be a cage to go for on that page. Yes, ideally I would get
> the Super Pet Ferret Kingdom, but for two ferrets, and £310 it seems
> like overkill (No, before you guys start, cost is NOT an issue.) I
> can't seem to find reccomended dimensions for cages anywhere. There
> was some at extreme weezils, but I can't verify them. Any ideas?
Personally, I have the SuperPet cage (actually, 2 of them connected together
for my 4 fuzzies), & I like them very much. The floors & ramps are easy on
their feet, plus being solid plastic, they're easy to clean. You can also
pop them out & rearrange them any way you want (if you go w/ this cage, make
sure you buy extra shelves & ramps when you order the cage, so you have lots
of options right away).
OTOH, a lot of people *don't* like the SuperPet cages, & prefer other
designs, w/ or w/out modifications. I think it's simply a matter of what
fits *your* budget/space/time devoted to cleaning, etc. I think it's fair to
assume that all major brands of cages are represented in this ng, & everyone
has their own reasons for liking the kind they got.
Lin, Ariel, Oberon, Max, & Puck
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| ex WGS Hamm |
"zanes" <edwarda@wycliffe.co.uk> wrote in message
news:f30881eb.0410270710.4a5ea72b@posting.google.com...
> 1. Can you guys look here:
>
http://www.companionschoice.co.uk/s...s%20and%20Homes
> . In particular, look at the townhouse. It seems like a lot of cage
> for the money, so wheres the catch?
The catch is that it is a horrible little cage at a high price. I wouldn't
keep a rat in it. The levels are wire which is bad, there is a big drop from
the top level to the floor. Enough to break a leg or back. Altogether
ghastly.
Have a look here
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....4332717028&rd=1
This is a wondefful cage and you can make sure the levels are staggered so
it cannot fall from top to bottom. A far better cage than the nasty
expensive too small one you are looking at.
or here
http://search.ebay.co.uk/ferret-cage_W0QQsoloctogZ9
I buy loads off ebay and save plenty. You could buy a decent cage with
hammocks and all other accesories for much less money than the nasty example
you were looking at. These people should be ashamed at the cages they sell
for ferrets.
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| M & J |
I got the furplast furet extra large ferret cage, although I didn't buy it
from this site, a pet shop near me (essex) sells this for about £80, I found
it was the right size for two ferrets, the only thing I will say about it is
the hammock is poo, I bought a few different ones from ferrets about which
my fuzzies prefer. If your gonna buy a cage that has wire shelves, cover
them in lino or something similar as there feet won't like the wire.
In answer to some of your other questions, my ferrets aren't fussed about
going out, as soon as they go out the front door they wanna come back in
again, but I do take them out as much as poss to exercise them good and to
help get their claws down.
As far as play tubes go, again on the ferretsabout site, under toys and
tubes section, I bought the ferretrail flexe funnel, which is see though and
collapses so it doesn't take up much room when stored and you can link loads
together.
Glad to see your doing your research before getting your ferts.
Michele
"ex WGS Hamm" <alpha.bitchREMOVETHIS@virgin.net> wrote in message
news:MSQfd.494$3i2.375@newsfe6-gui.ntli.net...
> Another good website with some great ferret cages.
> http://www.redmap.co.uk/ferretsabou...Rise_Cages.html
>
>
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| Paula |
Hiya,
This: http://www.companionschoice.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=108 is the dryer type
hose I have for the boys, 4 years and still going strong.
As for cages: go for full floors, not shelves, and make sure your chosen
litterbox fits through the doors (and ferts generally don't like the
triangle ones)!
I'm in the UK too.
--
Paula
Biffa, Rumpus, Banzai & DC the ferrets
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"zanes" <edwarda@wycliffe.co.uk> wrote in message
news:f30881eb.0410270029.45e2b9f5@posting.google.com...
> Hi all, I am a prospective ferret owner from the UK. I have read the
> ferret FAQ, The ferret owners manual and seemingly every other web
> resource available, but I still have a few questions. I hope you
> knowledgable keepers can help me:
>
> 1. What kind of gradients can ferrets tolerate in a tube? would, say,
> 45 degrees from horizontal be too much to allow for normal movement?
>
> 2. How long should I walk a ferret for? (In terms of time and
> distance) Is this really just a ferrets preference?
>
> 3. What size should tubes be? I appreciate that there are commercially
> manufactures plastic tubes, but at the price they are for what they
> are, I'd rather spend the cash on a bigger cage, more toys, etc.etc.
> Dryer hose seems to be a popular choice, how durable are these? (for
> that matter, can we get clear ones in the UK (It would be my luck to
> get a claustraphobic ferret!)
>
> Thanks in Advance
>
>
> Zanes (zan 'dot' e-s 'at' talk21 'dot' com)<---Please use this address
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| M & J |
"Paula" <ferretmummy@yahoo.co.uk> wrote in message
news:2nSfd.163464$BI5.120977@fe2.news.blueyonder.co.uk...
> Hiya,
>
> This: http://www.companionschoice.co.uk/shopexd.asp?id=108 is the dryer
type
> hose I have for the boys, 4 years and still going strong.
>
Oooh that ones longer than the one I got. When you expand it does it stay
expanded until you collapse it again? cause the one I got from ferretsabout
you expand it leave it alone and it start to collapse on it's own, which is
really frustrating, cause if you leave it and the ferrets with it for an
hour or so, they only end up with about 2 feet of tube to run through.
Michele
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| Paula |
"M & J" <m.nospam.pereira@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message
news:g59gd.167432$BI5.535@fe2.news.blueyonder.co.uk...
> Oooh that ones longer than the one I got. When you expand it does it stay
> expanded until you collapse it again?
Not at first - it needed stretching out over a long period of time. It's
got better but still tends to wrinkle up when my fat one (Banzai) slides
through. ;o)
cause the one I got from ferretsabout
> you expand it leave it alone and it start to collapse on it's own, which
> is
> really frustrating, cause if you leave it and the ferrets with it for an
> hour or so, they only end up with about 2 feet of tube to run through.
You can get flexible hose which connects to the Bubble-wave stuff, so you
could connect it to two (heavier, ball/tube) ends.
>
> Michele
--
Paula
Biffa, Rumpus, Banzai & DC the ferrets
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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| zanes |
"M & J" <m.nospam.pereira@blueyonder.co.uk> wrote in message news:<JrRfd.56318$i02.7034@fe1.news.blueyonder.co.uk>...
> I got the furplast furet extra large ferret cage, although I didn't buy it
> from this site, a pet shop near me (essex) sells this for about £80, I found
> it was the right size for two ferrets, the only thing I will say about it is
> the hammock is poo, I bought a few different ones from ferrets about which
> my fuzzies prefer. If your gonna buy a cage that has wire shelves, cover
> them in lino or something similar as there feet won't like the wire.
Not meaning to be rude, but doesn't that cage have a drop to the floor
of the top shelf?
Jeez, I am so worried about screwing up my choice and injuring my
ferrets or just being a cr*p ferret keeper!!
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| zanes |
Ok... no more double posts... but I am REALLY worried about screwing
this up.
The Super Pet Deluxe Multi-floor Ferret Home has full floors.. and is
only £160... only thing is,its on tiny little castors... can they be
removed?
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| ex WGS Hamm |
"zanes" <edwarda@wycliffe.co.uk> wrote in message
news:f30881eb.0410281039.42f696c8@posting.google.com...
> Ok... no more double posts... but I am REALLY worried about screwing
> this up.
>
> The Super Pet Deluxe Multi-floor Ferret Home has full floors.. and is
> only £160... only thing is,its on tiny little castors... can they be
> removed?
Why remove them? It makes it easier to move it around to clean under.
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| LinTK |
"ex WGS Hamm" <alpha.bitchREMOVETHIS@virgin.net> wrote in message
news:P_cgd.149$SC4.130@newsfe1-gui.ntli.net...
>
> "zanes" <edwarda@wycliffe.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:f30881eb.0410281039.42f696c8@posting.google.com...
> > Ok... no more double posts... but I am REALLY worried about screwing
> > this up.
> >
> > The Super Pet Deluxe Multi-floor Ferret Home has full floors.. and is
> > only £160... only thing is,its on tiny little castors... can they be
> > removed?
> Why remove them? It makes it easier to move it around to clean under.
Actually, it sits on a frame w/ casters on the bottom. So yes, the cage can
be lifted off of the frame & sat on the floor. Which is what I eventually
did w/ my 2 cages, cos the aluminum legs on the frame aren't terribly sturdy
after time goes by - they start to bow out a bit. So my 2 cages sit on the
floor now (on top of a plastic carpet runner, so the corners don't dig into
the carpet).
Lin, Ariel, Oberon, Max, & Puck
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| Kathouze |
>From: "M & J"
> When you expand it does it stay
>expanded until you collapse it again? cause the one I got from ferretsabout
>you expand it leave it alone and it start to collapse on it's own,
Okay,I'm going to give you my secret to keeping them long.Put the new tube in
the dryer on medium,until it's real warm,not hot.Then you and a friend hold it
stretched,until it cools.Now it will stay expanded.
Sandy and the Dook City Gang
Tempus Fuzzit
kathouze pictures
http://www.picturetrail.com/gallery...ername=kathouze
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| ex WGS Hamm |
"LinTK" <ktnil@woh.rr.com> wrote in message
news:F8igd.7193$EO3.1643@fe1.columbus.rr.com...
> Actually, it sits on a frame w/ casters on the bottom. So yes, the cage
can
> be lifted off of the frame & sat on the floor. Which is what I eventually
> did w/ my 2 cages, cos the aluminum legs on the frame aren't terribly
sturdy
> after time goes by - they start to bow out a bit.
you have fat fuzzies :0)
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| LinTK |
Hey - I resemble that remark!
Lin, Ariel (1.3 lbs), Oberon (2.4 lbs), Max (2.1bs) & Puck (approaching the
size of a small Zamboni at the age of 7 mos)
<jumpingmouse02@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:K8Sgd.7102$kM.776@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> ROFLOL..........what a visual! What say ye, Lin? ;-))
>
>
> "ex WGS Hamm" <alpha.bitchREMOVETHIS@virgin.net> wrote in message
> news:SWIgd.36$gN5.24@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net...
> >
> > <jumpingmouse02@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> > news:D0Bgd.11171$KJ6.1633@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
> >> Yeah, molly.........is she bragging or complaining???? LOL
> >
> > I have an image in my mind of her sittin with a ferret on her knee ,
going
> > red in the face and grunting" aargh darling, you will argh have to get
> > down
> > cos mummy can't feel her legs any more"! heehee
> >
> >
>
>
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You really SHOULD feed those boys, Lin!!! Gilbert is 3.7 LBS!!!
YIKES........ I've had to redo sooo many of my ferret things to accommodate
him! Anywhere he goes, it's like having two ferrets stuck together as one!
But he's really solid and has this very very thick coat, so I'm sure that
contributes some to his weight too (I don't think he's figured out he lives
in the desert yet). Just had a HUGE carry bag made so he and Kylie can have
outings. I couldn't even get his fat butt in Kylie's bye-bye bag, let alone
both of them at once! LOL Ain't life grand,tho???? It's wonderful
having a big healthy boy to lug around!!
hugs,
jumpingmouse, kylie & gilbert
"LinTK" <ktnil@woh.rr.com> wrote in message
news:gwBhd.3973$8y4.112@fe1.columbus.rr.com...
> Hey - I resemble that remark!
>
> Lin, Ariel (1.3 lbs), Oberon (2.4 lbs), Max (2.1bs) & Puck (approaching
> the
> size of a small Zamboni at the age of 7 mos)
>
> <jumpingmouse02@earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:K8Sgd.7102$kM.776@newsread3.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>> ROFLOL..........what a visual! What say ye, Lin? ;-))
>>
>>
>> "ex WGS Hamm" <alpha.bitchREMOVETHIS@virgin.net> wrote in message
>> news:SWIgd.36$gN5.24@newsfe4-gui.ntli.net...
>> >
>> > <jumpingmouse02@earthlink.net> wrote in message
>> > news:D0Bgd.11171$KJ6.1633@newsread1.news.pas.earthlink.net...
>> >> Yeah, molly.........is she bragging or complaining???? LOL
>> >
>> > I have an image in my mind of her sittin with a ferret on her knee ,
> going
>> > red in the face and grunting" aargh darling, you will argh have to get
>> > down
>> > cos mummy can't feel her legs any more"! heehee
>> >
>> >
>>
>>
>
>
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