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Post by ordinarygirl on Sept 11, 2013 8:17:29 GMT -5
Thank you to rudiger for supplying this interesting link. One of the questions that comes up time and time again on this board is how to introduce new comers into the group - here is an actual study done to figure it out - an interesting read for sure! Aggression in Domestic Ferrets by Valerie Wing Staton |
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Post by rudiger on Sept 11, 2013 10:09:44 GMT -5
One thing missing is that I recall the author of the study stating that ferret size of same sex ferrets had a definite impact on the outcome, i.e., when one ferret was larger, the dominance battle would be over sooner since it was much clearer who would win. A pair of ferrets of the same size/weight/sex would result in a prolonged battle because either ferrets had a 50/50 chance of winning based on size, alone.
Of course, the exception was with different sex pairings, i.e., a large male and smaller female, when the smaller female would more often win.
Otherwise, here's a good summary of the study:
RESULTS:
49 of 82 pairs of strangers fought, but 31 cage mate pairs did not. Time of year had no apparent effect. Pairs consisting of 2 neutered females or 2 sexually intact males were significantly more likely to fight than were pairs consisting of a neutered female and a sexually intact male. Pairs caged next to each other for 2 weeks prior to introduction were no less likely to fight than were control pairs.
CONCLUSIONS AND CLINICAL RELEVANCE:
Results suggest that familiarity, sex, and neutering status are important determinants of aggression between ferrets. If unfamiliar neutered ferrets are introduced, then pairing 2 males or a male and female would likely result in the lowest levels of aggression. However, neutered females and sexually intact males are not indiscriminately aggressive, as a neutered female can be paired with a sexually intact male without resulting in aggression. Caging ferrets next to each other for 2 weeks does not decrease aggression when the ferrets are introduced.
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Post by unclejoe on Mar 16, 2014 18:06:02 GMT -5
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Post by ozzie2013 on Mar 16, 2014 18:33:05 GMT -5
thankyou very much
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all my kids are doing well otter is getting real beefy feeling <winter weight?> and his coat is getting real soft not many noticeable changes overall,, new guy is getting big
Daxy is SO happy the weather is cooling off! He doesn't like the AC - it limits him to one room but when I let him go other places, he just flat ferrets cause it's too hote