86 THE RABBIT 



On commencing to' keep ferrets it is of course 

 important to get hold of healthy stock, and the inex- 

 perienced beginner who is no judge of points must 

 be guided by the advice of friends, or rely upon a 

 good breeder. The sexes are distinguished as ' hob ' 

 (or ' dog ') and ' jill,' and should be kept apart except 

 at pairing time, when they may run together for a day or 

 two. Ferrets will breed twice a year, but usually only 

 once, in summer. The period of gestation lasts six 

 weeks, and the young, usually six or seven in number, 

 are born blind, and do not open their eyes for a month. 

 Within a week of their being expected, the sleeping 

 compartment of the mother should be closed, after 

 making up a fresh bed, and not be reopened for the 

 next five or six weeks ; for if disturbed before then 

 the mother will probably destroy them. 



When they first show themselves outside their 

 sleeping box and begin to feed with the ' jill,' they will 

 require careful attention and must be fed three or 

 four times a day. When about ten weeks old, if 

 looking strong and well, they may be put in another 

 hutch. 



As above stated the ferret will breed readily with 

 the wild polecat, and there can be no doubt that a 

 cross with the latter improves the breed materially, 

 for the )Oung are stronger in constitution, and work 



