FERRETS^ A TO Z. 189 



enough to come out and eat, they can be weaned 

 and in about ten days the old ferret will be ready 

 to breed again for the second litter. 



Feeding is one of the most important 

 branches of breeding, rearing and working of 

 ferrets. The greater part of the success depends 

 on the proper feeding. The staple food is cooked 

 graham mush, fresh meat and sweet milk. Bread 

 and milk and meat is all right if you only have 

 a few. A matured ferret can be kept in good, 

 thrifty condition on mush or bread and milk, as 

 meat is not an absolute necessity. When feeding 

 meat in warm weather, feed only a little at a 

 time. Do not feed salty or diseased, rotten meat, 

 as salt and refuse will kill them. Feed the old 

 ones twice a day, about what they will eat each 

 time, with meat two or three times a week. 



When feeding young ones it is best to feed 

 three times a day the amount they will eat up 

 clean and no more. Bread and milk is the best 

 food for the young. A little meat two or three 

 times a week will do no harm. Use good judg- 

 ment in feeding and you will lose very few. 



Ferrets are naturally tame and with just a 

 little handling will become as tame as kittens. 

 Never grab a ferret as he is coming out of a hole, 

 for if you don't get him the first time, he will 

 become shy; let him come clear out of the hole 



