When do ferrets come into season

However, surgical neutering in ferrets of both sexes has been linked with the occurrence, some years later, of hyperadrenocorticism adrenal disease , and adrenal tumours. If castration or spaying is performed, it's generally advised that it should not be done until after puberty, to delay the possible onset of adrenal disease. We still recommend neutering as a permanent way to stop oestrus in females and reduce aggression in males.

However, it's important to be aware of the signs of hypoadrenocorticism, and to be aware that treatment may be required in the future. Chemical contraception methods implants or injections Chemical-based contraception methods are available to manage a ferret's reproductive biology. It also removes the trigger for sex hormone production in the adrenal glands. These are generally very safe but can be costly. The implant's slow-release action means that they are generally long-lasting - depending on the strength of the implant used different doses are available as well as the time it is implanted.

Implants can generally last up to months before another implant is needed. Yearly hormonal injections for the jill were a common method of stopping oestrus. These are still available but are difficult to source and also expensive unless many ferrets are being injected at one time. Vasectomy A vasectomy is a process of sterilising a male ferret by cutting the tubes that carry sperm from the testicles to the penis.

A vasectomised male is known as a 'hoblet'. The process of vasectomy does not affect the hob's capability to mate. Mating jills with a vasectomised hob, or 'teaser', to bring them out of season has been common practice in Great Britain for many years.

This is largely due to its ease and low-cost. However, although mating is a natural behaviour, the act itself is often violent and very stressful for the jill. You will be amazed at how affectionate and docile he will become afterwards, not to mention sweet smelling! I would again stress that breeding ferrets is nothing like breeding dogs or cats.

Veterinary Advice Online — Ferret Sexing. Download it HERE. I have a female ferret and lately she has become very mean. Biting the male ferret and pulling out his fur she has even turned around and bite my boyfriend and drew blood. She never was like this before and nothing has changed with the way she is being treated.

If she looks like she has any of the symptoms listed then please take her to a ferret vet as an implant would help stabilise her mood!

Male ferrets that have not been neutered have a strong, musky smell when they come into season, which happens twice yearly. They also mark territory by urinating on it. If your ferret is not spayed or neutered when you get it, you should talk to your veterinarian about performing the procedure. All pet ferrets should be spayed or neutered at an appropriate age.

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Another reason for castrating a hob is that they are inclined to be more aggressive and snappy than jills. There is probably an element of sexual frustration in this, and it is reasonable to suggest that, in the abscence of plenty of jills, they are happier without their testosterone!

Castrating a hob is quite a simple operation, although there are always some risks associated with any surgery. The breeding season starts in the spring, so the best time to get kits neutered in during their first winter.

How we are working. How can I prevent my jill from coming into oestrus? Can my jill be spayed?