Week 1 Survey Results:

Thank you to all of you who contributed your information so far in the first week! After the first 5 days of the Big Ferret Fact Finder survey with 34 ferrets from 7 U.S. States represented:

States: FL, MA, MO, NH, NJ, NY, WI

Thank you to those you have suggested additional survey questions I have added some of them already and will be adding more.

Below are some of the results gathered from the first week of the survey. It is just the raw results of individual survey questions. Eventually with enough data collected over time I hope be able to suggest conclusions that can be drawn from cross referenced data. Remember that it will help for participants to periodically supply updated data, especially when a ferret has a change in environment, develops a disease, or crosses over the bridge.

Note that on many of the question people may select more than one checkbox, so percentages may add up to more than 100%. Also note that not all answers were required to be answered.

Breeders:
Marshall Farms (NY) 30 88%
Path Valley (PA) 1 3%
Not Known 3 9%

Colors:
Albino 2 6%
Black 1 3%
Black Sable 5 15%
Champagne 2 6%
Cinnamon 2 6%
Dark-Eyed White 6 18%
Sable 9 26%

Procurement:
Adopted 11 44%
Pet Store Purchase 9 36%
Other 5 20%

Of the Adoptions:
Ferret Specific Shelter 3 33%
Private Adoption 3 33%
Other 3 33%

Environment:
Indoor Cage 16 47%
Ferret Room 13 38%
Has 24/7 run of house 4 12%
Other 1 3%

Of caged ferrets, how much daily play time?
1 to 2 hours 2 10%
3 to 4 hours 12 57%
5 to 6 hours 1 5%
7 to 8 hours 1 5%
The cage is open
when owner is home 1 5%
Rotating shifts 3 14%
Other 1 5%

What do you feed your ferret?
Totally Ferret Original 14 41%
Totally Ferret Senior 4 12%
Natural Gold Ferret 3 9%
Zupreem 5 15%
IAM's Kitten 7 21%
Marshall's Premium Diet 6 18%
8 In 1 Ultra Blend 2 6%
Evo Innova 4 12%
Innova Cat Food 1 3%
Dr Foster and Smith Mix 1 3%
Duck Soup Recipe 5 15%
Raw Diet 1 3%
Other 19 56%


Socialization
Ferret is a solitary 3 11%
ferret is bonded to other ferrets 22 81%
ferret socializes with our cat(s) 14 52%
ferret socializes with our dog(s) 9 33%
Other 7 26%

Litter
Cell-Sorb Plus 3 11%
Wood pellets 9 33%
Yesterday's News 5 19%
Clay cat litter 7 26%
Newspaper 4 15%
Other 7 26%

Baths:
Never 2 7%
Only when dirty 21 75%
Other 5 18%

Nail Clipping:
Only when noticibly long 4 15%
Monthly 3 12%
Twice a month 12 46%
Weekly 1 4%
Other 6 23%

Ear Cleaning:
When build up is noticed 12 44%
Monthly 2 7%
Twice a month 4 15%
Weekly 4 15%
Other 5 19%


Ferrets exposed to cigarette smoke
Regularly 2 8%
Occasionally 1 4%
Never 23 88%


Symptoms indicating illness
Hind End Weakness 3 20%
Vomiting 2 13%
Diarrhea 4 27%
Loss of fur 8 53%
Staring into space / Trance 2 13%
Loss of appetite 3 20%
Lethargy 4 27%
Red or swollen nipples 1 7%
Other 8 53%

Chronic incurable illness
Adrenal Disease 7 47%
Insulinoma 4 27%
Deafness 2 13%
Blindness 1 7%
Lymphoma 5 33%
Other 3 20%

Curable Illnesses
Skin Tumors / Cell Masts 4 29%
Influenza 4 29%
Dental Disease 3 21%
Blockage (intestinal) 1 7%
Ear Infection 4 29%
Stomach ulcers 4 29%
Eye Infection 1 7%
Other 2 14%

Most apparent temperaments:
Mellow 8 30%
Docile 8 30%
Hyper 7 26%
Shy 0 0%
Friendly 20 74%
Curious 16 59%
Cautious 3 11%
Other 6 22%

Biting:
Never 20 59%
Only playfully 10 29%
When frightened or irritated 3 9%
Other 1 3%

Litter Box Success:
Wouldn't use a litter box if their little life depended on it! 4 15%
Uses the litter box only when I am watching! 2 7%
Tries hard but makes frequent misses 1 4%
Uses the litter box as long as I keep it clean 2 7%
Most of the time they backs right in there 11 41%
I worry this ferret is ill if a miss occurs 3 11%
Other 4 15%

85% of ferrets are taken outside (29 of 34)
8% of ferrets have microchips (2 of 26)