I think the best bedding for ferrets is good oat straw, fresh every
fortnight. Throw the straw in carelessly, and the ferrets will make
their own beds. When breeding ferrets, never go near them more than you
can help, as they are of a wild nature and liable to destroy their young.
When you know a Jill or bitch ferret has young, give her a little extra
good food, but don't interfere with the young ones on any account, and if
you want to give her a little extra bedding put the straw in the same
place as the food, and she will take it into the sleeping place herself.
It is advisable not to touch the young ones for five weeks, or better
still leave them until they come out to feed themselves; and when running
about, if there be a good number, say nine or ten, in the lot, it is a
good plan to remove them into a larger place for sleeping, as young
ferrets are very liable to catch the red mange, which arises from too
many being together and sweating very much.



WHEN WORKING FERRETS FOR RAT-CATCHING


always work them unmuzzled. Make as little noise as possible, as Rats
are very bad to bolt sometimes. Never grab at the ferret as it leaves
the hole, nor tempt it out of the hole with a dead Rat. The best way is
to let the ferret come out of its own choice, and then pick it up very
quietly, for if you grab at it, it is likely to become what we call a
"stopper;" and never on any account force a ferret to go into a hole.



WHEN WORKING FERRETS FOR RABBIT-SHOOTING