FERRET RAISING IN A SMALL WAY. 159 



The female comes in heat from about the 

 middle of March to the last of April, depending 

 upon the season as well as how she has been kept 

 and handled. Suppose the date of mating is 

 April 25 the young will be born 42 days later, or 

 June 6. 



If a second litter is desired the young can be 

 weaned a few days after they open their eyes and 

 have begun eating milk from the pan with the 

 mother. The female is now taken from her 

 young and placed in a pen until she comes into 

 heat again which will be about two weeks. This 

 period can be easily told as the conditions are 

 much the same as the dog family- , that is, the part 

 swells, remaining in that condition for a week or 

 longer. The male should not be put with the 

 female until the swelling is quite pronounced, 

 which will not be for several days after it begins. 

 Second litters will be smaller than the first, that 

 is, instead of five to ten, the number will more 

 than likely range from three to five. The second 

 litter will be grown in time' for last of December 

 and January rabbit hunting. 



Prices at which ferrets will sell during the 

 season is usually known by August. Values are 

 governed by the anticipated supply and demand. 

 Unless overstocked it will generally pay to keep 

 until late in August or September before selling 



