Ferret mating: preparation and how the process goes, breeding rules

Breeding any animals is a complex and responsible business that needs to be approached with the utmost attention. Preparation will require capital and versatile, because we are talking about the he alth of ferrets and future offspring. Before you start mating domestic ferrets or ferrets, furo, you need to assess in advance all the upcoming difficulties, as well as the need to "attach" future offspring in good hands.

Pair matching

Breeding ferrets at home is somewhat different from mating in nurseries, where 5-6 females are “attached” to one male. At home, owners try to match their pets according to the following principles:

1. Cool color. For offspring, it is better if the parents have the same coat color, otherwise you can get unwanted effects.
2. Compliant character. If in a pair one of the ferrets or both parents will have an aggressive, non-peaceful, quarrelsome disposition, there is a chance that such negative traits will be passed on to offspring.
3. He alth. This is very important, especially for the female, as she has to endure, give birth and feed strong and he althy offspring.
4. The adoption of a male by a female. Selectivity in these animals is present; a female or male may react negatively to the proposed pair, which in some cases forces them to change ferrets that were previously selected for breeding according to other parameters.

Female ferrets are good mothers. They take care of the offspring, they can even accept other people's puppies left without a nurse.

How do you know it's mating time?

Ferrets reach maturity at 7-12 months, male sexual activity lasts up to 5 years, females can give birth 3-4 years. The sexual cycle lasts from March to September, associated with an increase in daylight hours.

A sign of the onset of estrus in these animals are external changes in the genitals.

For the female

The beginning of estrus in a ferret is determined by a change in the size and color of the external genital organ, which is called the loop. It gradually fills up, increases in size, first becomes pink, then turns red. A discharge appears from the loop, facilitating sexual contact. If the secret is transparent and does not have an unpleasant odor, everything is in order with the he alth of the animal. In the event that the discharge is cloudy, serous, purulent, smells bad - the animal has an infection, and it must be immediately shown to the veterinarian. You cannot mate such an animal.

For male

The beginning of the breeding season in male ferrets is characterized by increased excitability. He rubs against all objects that somehow provoke his sexual interest, for example, about his toys, pillows, slippers, people's feet and so on. The animal can become irritable, even aggressive.

External signs of readiness for mating are the increase and swelling of the testicles. The most unpleasant moment is marking the territory with urine, which has a pungent pungent odor.

Preparation for mating

Before you start mating ferrets, you must perform the following procedures:

1. Check the medical records of the ferret's "partner", find out what he was sick with, if there are any deviations in behavior or he alth.
2. Be examined by a veterinarian for hidden infections or diseases (applies to both male and female).
3. Perform the necessary vaccinations (rabies, distemper) at least 2 weeks before mating.
4. Choosing the worms to both animals.
5. Eliminate the risk of inbreeding. To do this, you also need to check the documents of both ferrets.
6. Think in advance how to create comfortable mating conditions for animals.
7. Make the female a nest that will serve as a den for her and the puppies for the entire time she brings up her offspring.

If properly prepared, the mating procedure will not be stressful for either the animals or their owners. The female is paired with the male about 2 weeks after the onset of estrus, when successful fertilization is most likely.

How the process works

Mating ferrets can scare novice owners because it looks like a violent fight with screams, squeals and an attempt by the male to grab the female by the withers. You should not be afraid of such a violent manifestation of passions, the process goes as nature intended. Mating lasts up to two hours, in the same room the animals are left together for 1-3 days. Usually the female is brought into the territory of the male, because otherwise she may perceive him as an "invader".

Re-knitting

The success of knitting is judged by the decrease in the size of the loop. It should completely disappear in about 7-10 days. If this does not happen, a second mating will be required, possibly with another male, if the "old" one turned out to be insolvent.

When is human intervention needed?

There is no need to interfere in the mating process, but it is necessary to examine the animals after a stormy "night of love". Sharp teeth and claws can injure mucous membranes or skin, so injuries are treated with veterinary antiseptic drugs. In the future, human assistance consists only in monitoring the course of pregnancy, providing conditions for childbirth and feeding the cubs, and, if necessary, assistance in obstetric care.

Pregnancy in ferrets

If after mating the loop has decreased and become invisible, then the belly has increased and the nipples have swollen - the owner can be congratulated. The process of bearing offspring in ferrets lasts from 42 to 45 days, there are from 6 to 9 puppies in a litter.

In order for an animal to successfully bear he althy offspring during multiple pregnancy and not become exhausted at the same time, it is necessary to organize proper feeding and plan a diet. It consists of the following products:

1. Fresh raw meat (ferrets are obligate carnivores that eat only meat).
2. Calcium-rich cottage cheese.
3. It is welcome to add vegetable and butter to food.
4. The standard dose of vitamins and minerals is doubled.

During pregnancy, limit contact with other people's ferrets and other domestic or wild animals, as they can be sources of infection.

Signs of approaching labor

Before giving birth, Horiha begins to “clean up” in the nest, fusses, worries, then tries not to leave the house, refuses food.

Birth lasts up to 12 hours, otherwise call the veterinarian. Until all the puppies are born, the mother does not begin to feed. The babies are born blind, deaf, completely helpless.

Rookie Mistakes

To start breeding ferrets is for people who have experience in keeping these animals, who are morally and financially ready for trials and costs. The following errors occur in this case:

1. Wrong pairing of ferrets.
2. Lack of veterinary training - the animals are not vaccinated, examined and not dewormed.
3. There is little time for mating.
4. No re-mating, no pregnancy control.
5. The male is brought into the territory of the female.

Before you start breeding ferrets, you should evaluate your strengths and capabilities. If it is difficult for mothers and puppies to provide the necessary care and conditions, it is better to spay ferrets. So it will be more humane in relation to pets.

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