Just out of curiosity, what's the best age to breed from a hob/jill?

I'd love to breed ferrets but i'm no where near experienced yet.

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its a bit long but its uses full lol

A ferret is sexually mature between eight and twelve months, in the spring after birth. Age at puberty is approximately 250 days. First possible mating can be six months. The ferret is a photoreceptive breeder. Breeding season is triggered by photoperiod, the length of daylight hours, it's when there is more daylight than night or the ratio of daylight hours to night time hours that cause physical changes in their bodies. The time of year or month varies depending on where in this world you live, the ferrets brain perceives the right time by the length of daylight hours.

It's best to ensure that both ferrets are in optimal health. The readiness of breeding are of physical signs of both female and male.


Breeding the female ferret
The female ferret or Jill's first breeding season after her birth will be between five to nine months. If she reaches the first sexual maturity before being fully mature, it's best to not to breed her as it may affect her growth and offspring. Ferrets are induced ovulators, meaning they stay in estrus until mated or have an hormone injection which will induce ovulation. The female's pituitary glands respond to increasing hours of daylight to secrete sex hormones and will activate or cause swelling of the female's vulva and the production of fertile eggs. Physical signs in the Jill is that the vulva will start to swell, increasing in size along with a discharge and a much stronger body odor. Hormonal changes will be display by abnormal behavoirs, such as being ill tempered or irrational. About two weeks after the swelling is first noticed, and when the vulva is fully swollen, she is ready to mate and breed. Any attempts to have her mated before she's ready may result in injury to the Jill, she is only receptive in estrus, all other times any advances of the male will be refused. A Jill will stay in season until mated, she must be either be bred or an alternative method to terminate estrous. If she is not, it could be life threatening, resulting in anemia, risk of uterine infection and finally death. Alternative to breeding and to bring a Jill out of estrous, is using a vascetomized hob called a "hoblet" for mating, and this will cause her to have a "phantom pregnancy". The other alternative is a "Jill Jab" treatment or hormone injection from a veterinarian.

Breeding the male ferret
Hobs reach sexual maturity at 6 - 8 months of age and will be in a breeding condition or come into season a couple of months before female. Like the female, the male is not sexually active all year and shows no sexual interest or advances toward the female until he in season. Intact males should be housed individually in breeding season because he will be aggressive towards other males and try to breed with any female he encounters. Physical changes that indicate the male's readiness for breeding is when his testicles are visible, enlarged and descend into the scrotum. He will have a very strong offensive body order and greasy skin secretion, his owner will probably choose to house him outdoors. He will remain in the breeding state for about five months, after which his testes will move back into the body.


For optimal conception and litter size, breed the jill two consecutive days the second week she is in heat.

Thanks for that, great information Blob for you

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Absolutly no reason why hobs and jills cant live together when out of season, only thing to do is check EVERY SINGLE DAY for signs of the jills coming in season, which is likely to be before the hobs.

My friend just had one of this years kits come in season two weeks ago!

sise is of no relevence to ferrets, i have one of the smallest jills living with one of the biggets hobs, so long as they dont fight the jills can play just as rough as the boys, in fact jills are usually that little bit more active and crazier.

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Tiggy, 13 yr old Collie x Alsation, Lucy 11 yr old epileptic cross breed, Kara, collie x whippet

We've got the jills

They are absolutely gorgeous and they are getting along with the boys really well

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Great news

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Tiggy, 13 yr old Collie x Alsation, Lucy 11 yr old epileptic cross breed, Kara, collie x whippet

Hi all, Thought you'd like to know 'Hibrid' poley aka 'Boris' has had the snip and is not at all pleased with us. Feeling a bit sorry for himself last night but much better today and back with the rest of the gang......Hubby's hand is healing nicely but poor Boris is being very nippy today, guess it is pay back...lol I have to say I have little experience with jills..Only 'cos it's been hobs who needed the rescuing. I am sure that will change as time goes by.

If it hasn't already hit you then i'm sure that ferret math will get you

One of the jills would not leave me alone tonight, she's very playful

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