Ferret breeding is a complex and demanding process that requires knowledge of the basics of genetics and breeding skills. Khoryats are born prematurely, they need careful care.
Instructions
Step 1
Study the literature on breeding ferrets, talk to experienced breeders. Buy a sturdy cage from a pet store or build a high-walled crate. Ferrets sleep 15 hours a day. Release them while awake, then pets can play. Do not leave the cage in the sun, it is better if it is in the shade. Inside, build another small house made of plywood or planks, make a hole in it at least 10 cm in diameter. Place the litter box in the corner, just secure it securely, otherwise the ferret will turn the container over. Do not feed the animal in the house, it is better to get it out of there and give food separately, but the drinker, on the contrary, must be hung in the cage. Pour water for drinking purified with a filter, spring.
Step 2
Feed an adult ferret 2-3 times a day animal food (meat, fish, raw eggs), porridge with meat broth, vegetables, kefir, cottage cheese, butter, cheese, sour cream. Pets that are one month old should eat 4 times. The female eats less than the male by about 400 grams per day. Boil river fish and pork, scald heart and liver with boiling water. Buy mealworms, dragonfly larvae, and crayfish for ferrets at the pet store. To avoid diarrhea, do not feed the animals milk, shellfish, snakes and frogs. Sometimes you can have a fresh mouse, fruit. On "holidays" introduce baked goods into the ferrets' diet, more often than not, as they may develop diseases (for example, conjunctivitis). All ferrets need vitamins, especially pregnant women. Lactating females have an increased need for liquid dairy products. Buy calcium chloride at the pharmacy and add 3 ml to each serving of kefir, give calcined cottage cheese of any fat content.
Step 3
The rut begins in mid-March - early April, lasts 2-3 days, but can continue for a longer time. Ovulation is triggered by mating, which lasts from 10 minutes to 5 hours. A male can fertilize several females per day. Another rut is carried out in the summer, at the end of June - in July. These terms are due to the fact that young animals are best hatched in warm weather.
Step 4
When choosing a mate for a female, consider the experience of both partners. If both animals go through this procedure for the first time, they may fail. Stick to the same color for both producers. Introduce ferrets in the male's territory. The mating process should take place in the same place, it is very painful, but you should not interrupt it. In most cases, fertilization occurs the first time.
Step 5
Observe the female after mating, she may become more restless, the nipples on the body swell. Pregnancy usually passes quietly, the female's appetite increases, do not limit her nutrition, take her outside, this can be done by placing the animal in a box. At the same time, transplant the male.
Step 6
Set up the nest, its height must be safe so that the puppies cannot get out. Put hay and unnecessary rags at the bottom. Change the bedding 2-3 weeks before giving birth, make sure that the khorikha does not hide pieces of food under it.
Step 7
Monitor the birthing process. If the puppies are born normally, the first pet can be expected within half an hour after the water has passed. Ferrets can have up to 10 puppies at the same time, they appear at intervals of 20-30 minutes. When the offspring cannot crawl out, contact your veterinarian. Litter is born blind, with closed ear holes, while there is no hair, they see nothing and weigh no more than 10 grams.
Step 8
Observe the behavior of the female. She will begin to feed the babies only after the birth of the last puppy. Milk comes immediately, the mother curls up around the litter and hugs the puppies. Be wary if almost a day has passed after giving birth, and the female ignores the cubs. Place her on your lap with her back down, bring the little ferret to the mother's nipple, wait, the puppy should start sucking milk by itself. Try to restrict the movement of pets, at least temporarily.
Step 9
Consult your veterinarian, some females have hereditary pathologies and therefore it is difficult or impossible for them to labor. Before taking a female ferret for breeding - ask if there are any problems on the maternal side.
Step 10
Give the lactating female liquid food: meat broth, kefir. Keep the drinking bowl clean, add water regularly. To enhance lactation, females can be offered a little water with honey, rosehip decoction, slightly salted meat and vegetable broths.
Step 11
Start feeding babies 20 days after birth. Take low-fat minced meat, preferably beef or chicken, turkey is also suitable, dilute it with 1.5% cow's milk to the consistency of a liquid gruel. Place in a plate and serve to the little ferrets. Place a small piece of food on the puppy's cheek, he should start to swallow. Cover the female separately from the offspring at the time of feeding, otherwise she will eat what is prepared for them. After the procedure, return the offspring to the mother. Start with complementary foods once a day, do it in the morning and evening every other day. Work out a feeding schedule and increase your food intake up to 4 times on the following days. Once the ferrets are one month old, feed the meat neat. At the same time, their eyes open. Get used to food "from the table" gradually. Smoked and fatty foods are dangerous for ferrets.
Step 12
Examine ferrets as they grow, by the month the body length reaches 25 cm, the skin is overgrown with short hair, the babies begin to crawl actively, and eat without assistance. If they are already 1, 5 months old, you can take them away from their mother. Try to get the little ones to move more, so you can prevent leg diseases that often occur in ferrets from overeating. In six months, they themselves will begin to eat in smaller portions, while remaining active, and by 10 months they will reach puberty.
