St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1886-12-11
FERRETS AS PETS.

"Do to Them You Would He Done by
Bold, Useful Little Hunters
One of the Oldest Dutch engravings,
copies of which are highly priced by
collectors, is 1.-The Rat-catcher. 1t
represents an old man walking through
quaint Flemish street carrying cage
of ferrets. Though ferrets have been
known in Europe for hundreds of
years as expert rat-catchers, and are
also used in rabblt-hunting, it is only
within the past few years that they
have been introduced into this country,
and their first cousins, the weasels, the
martens, and the skunks, have all been
looked upon with disfavor by farmers,
and active efforts are made for their
extermInation. Lately, however, con-
siderable interest has been aroused in
the keeping and breeding of these
graceful little animals, and it may
safely be said that American boys have
found new pet-a pet which gives
but little trouble, and will more than
pay for itself by its services in ridding
the house and barns from rats.
1t is true that the ferret is not an
affectioEate animal and will never dis
play the intelligence and faithfulness
of dog; but it is pretty little
creature, graceful in every motion and
playful after its own peculiar fashion.
To see family of them tumbling over
each other in their fun, twining their
long slender bodies in and out. one
would almost take them for furred
snakes, and indeed it is this snake-like
shape and iiexibility which makes them
valuable rs rat-catchers. They can go
anywhere it is possible for rat to 90
and will follow their game up and
down, between the walls and under
the floors, with the pertinacitY Of
bloodhound.
The ferret proper, or M,Istela turo,
as the naturalists call it, is q pretty
white creature with shining pink eyes,
1t is very delicate. being extremely
sensitive to cold and subject to various
diseases. 1t is largely used in England,
but IN America the cross-breeds- those
related to the mink, marten or pole
cat-are preferred as being more hardy
and better hunters. The color of
American ferrets therefore varies from
yellow to brown, as the ferret, mink,
or marten blood predominates. 1t is
very neat little animal and absolute
cleanliness in its pen is necessary for
its health. A dry goods box about
three feet square and three feet high,
the bottom filled with dry sand or saw
dust, which must be changed once a
day, is a good pen for pair of ferrets
if you are going to keep them indoors.
For an outdoor pen compact, solid
ly-built box, with slanting roof,
about six feet long, four feet wide and
four feet high, is recommended by the
most successful breeder of ferrets in
this country. 1t has wire front, and
two divisions, with a sliding door be-
tween. The smaller division is two,
the larger four feet long. The smaller
part is kept full of hay in winter, in
summer half full, and has door over
the wire front. This is the ferrets'
sleeping apartment, in which they can
keep warm in the coldest weather. In
the larger part, which serves for a
yard, the ferrets can come out and
take their exercise and feed. At the
back of the pen are two large doors.
so that you can get at the ferrets at
any time. The hay should be changed
every month or two, except during the
breeding season. when the ferrets
should be left alone. Any attempt to
handle the little ones, or even watch
them, should be avoided, as it is bad
for both the young and the mother.
Like every animal, ferrets require
patience, kindness and good judgment
in their treatment. They are not long
suffering like dogs or cats, and the |
young owner of ferrets who attempts
to lug his pets around by one paw. and
maui them about as the average |
youngster mauls the animals intrusted |
to his tender mercies. will find to his
cost that the slender little rat-hunters |
are capable of taking very excellent
care of themselves. They should be
lifted by the tail, and handled by the
back of the neck; though after they
have become accustomed to their
owner they will permit themselves to
be handled to any reasonable extent
and often grow quite affectionate in
their way, though it is never advisable
to trust them too entirely. as they |
sometimes take offense on apparently