Countries:
Australia 1
Canada 6
Lithuania 1
United Kingdom 10
United States 215
Canadian Provinces:
British Columbia 2
Nova Scotia 1
Ontario 2
Quebec 1
32 US States:
AK 4
AZ 1
CO 1
CT 3
FL 25
ID 8
IL 7
IN 1
KY 8
LA 4
LT 1
MA 43
MI 8
MN 2
MO 16
NC 1
NE 1
NH 5
NJ 3
NM 2
NS 1
NV 1
NY 34
OK 3
OR 2
PA 5
RI 2
TN 3
TX 6
VA 5
WI 6
WV 8
To see the world wide map of BF3 ferrets click on or cut and paste the following URL:
http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?msa=0&msid=102591201999215464121.00045b3d7e55c171c55cd&mid=1227560757
I would love to add your ferrets’ pictures to the BF3 blog and map. If you would like your ferret pictures displayed in the slideshow or added to the map e-mail them to fuzzythinker911-bf3@yahoo.com. Be sure to include your last name, zip code and ferret’s name with the picture. As always your personal information is protected and only your ferret’s name and picture will be displayed if submitted.
A special thanks to ferret related websites whose webmasters are adding links to this survey! Thanks also to Google for providing the online tools for this project.
The third week of survey saw nearly a 300% increase in respondents which necessitated a step back to start building some analysis tools using Excel and Access in addition to the tools provided by Google. Some of the results include greater detail for the "other" results where respondents left their own comments.
Below are some of the results gathered from the first three weeks of ferreting out facts. These are the cumulative raw results of individual survey questions, including answers given early when the survey had less questions as well as including a few more results from questions added later. Once the database reaches 500 North American ferrets surveyed I will begin to run cross section analyses using US and Canadian data. Those of you who have responded from down under and across the pond, because you have markedly different approaches to ferret husbandry than we Yanks, such as a higher dependence on raw diets and outdoor ferret atriums, I would like to have at least an international match to my North American data pool.
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 questions 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 Nose Count
Marshall Farms (NY) 175 75.8%
Not Known 16 6.9%
Path Valley (PA) 8 3.5%
Shady Hollow Ferretry (MD) 4 1.7%
Just A Business of Ferrets (MD) 3 1.3%
Other (Enter next) 3 1.3%
Ground Effects Ferretry (NC) 2 0.9%
DMK 2 0.9%
Real Canadian Ferrets 2 0.9%
Mischief Maker Ferrets (MI) 2 0.9%
Dowling's Masquerade Ferrets (MI) 2 0.9%
Real Canadian Ferret 2 0.9%
Doug McKay 1 0.4%
Ferret Friends of Pittsburgh (PA) 1 0.4%
Friendly Ferrets - Debbie Scott 1 0.4%
Kristina H. Borgstrom 1 0.4%
Hagen (Canada) 1 0.4%
Carolina Ferrets 1 0.4%
SpahnRanch Ferrets 1 0.4%
Triple F Farms 1 0.4%
Novel Beginnings Ferretry (PA) 1 0.4%
Fuzzy Loving Ferrets (NJ) 1 0.4%
231 100%
What color is your ferret? Nose Count
Albino 14 6.4%
Black 14 6.4%
Black Sable 27 12.4%
Champagne 18 8.3%
Chocolate 23 10.6%
Cinnamon 12 5.5%
Dark-Eyed White 35 16.1%
Sable 75 34.4%
218 100%
Color Pattern Concentration Nose Count
Point (Siamese) 22 11.3%
Roan 37 19.0%
Solid 17 8.7%
Standard 119 61.0%
195 100%
Procurement Nose Count
Pet Store Purchase 93 41.5%
Adopted 74 33.0%
Breeder Purchase 21 9.4%
Rescue 12 5.4%
Foster Arrangement 4 1.8%
Craig'slist purchase 3 1.3%
Feed Store 2 0.9%
I found him running free near a local forest(abandoned) 1 0.4%
given to me by breeder 1 0.4%
got from a friend who couldnt keep up with his care 1 0.4%
Got from a friend who couldnt take care of him and his brother 1 0.4%
Abandoned at Petco 1 0.4%
I found her outside, dirty, covered in fleas and emaciated. 1 0.4%
Was sick in a pet shop so I took her to get her medical help 1 0.4%
One of my roomates' friends bought him and then never took 1 0.4%
care of him or came back for him
Petco couldn't sell him, so they gave him to me 1 0.4%
Rehome 1 0.4%
Surrendered (Shelters only) 1 0.4%
Taken in from family that was trying to find a home for her. 1 0.4%
tokk him in unwanted from a friend's sister 1 0.4%
Was found outside of my work 1 0.4%
He was dumped at a pet store where I went for toys for my 1 0.4%
ferret and they knew how much I cared about her so they
approached me about taking 2 males in.
224 100%
Pet Store Purchase Source Nose Count
Petco 33 43.4%
Pet Supermarket 7 9.2%
Delta Pet Store 4 5.3%
Feeder Supply 4 5.3%
Animal Jungle 2 2.6%
House of Critters 2 2.6%
Petland Discounts 2 2.6%
PetLand 2 2.6%
Zoo Creatures 2 2.6%
Valley Feed and Seed 2 2.6%
Creature Castle 1 1.3%
Critter Dome Edmond 1 1.3%
Family owned petstore 1 1.3%
Independent pet shop in Montreal, Quebec 1 1.3%
Just Pets (a local pet store) 1 1.3%
local independant 1 1.3%
Pet World Rochester NY 1 1.3%
Zoo 1 1.3%
Petland in Westland, MI 1 1.3%
pets place 2 1 1.3%
Pets Plus 1 1.3%
petsmart 1 1.3%
Sandy's Pet Store 1 1.3%
Sea Oddities 1 1.3%
The Pet Company 1 1.3%
Parrots of the World 1 1.3%
76 100%
How found for adoption Nose Count
Ferret Club or Association 23 22.8%
Friend or Relative 21 20.8%
Craigslist 10 9.9%
Petfinder 8 7.9%
Ferret Community Website 6 5.9%
FML (Ferret Mailing List) 5 5.0%
Veterinarian 4 4.0%
HOOBLY.com 2 2.0%
Petco 2 2.0%
I am the Asst Director of the shelter 1 1.0%
Lakeroad Ferret Shelter (I am a Shetler Friend) 1 1.0%
FreeCycle 1 1.0%
Animal control 1 1.0%
hobbly 1 1.0%
ad at local pet shop 1 1.0%
ferret.com chat 1 1.0%
Abandoned at Petco 1 1.0%
Kijiji.ca 1 1.0%
Yahoo Group 1 1.0%
M.A.F.F. 1 1.0%
met rescue owner at a club event 1 1.0%
MSPCA online 1 1.0%
PetLand 1 1.0%
previous adoption from same shelter 1 1.0%
she was advertised in a free paper, a friend who runs a rescue 1 1.0%
asked me t pick her up as she was being sold so cheap she got
n with my business so stayed her.
shopping.rollanet.org 1 1.0%
trading journal 1 1.0%
While voulunteering at local ferret shelter 1 1.0%
I was the shelter worker who removed him from the home after 1 1.0%
a bondmate (Mr. Ferret) was euthanized as a result of neglect
101 100%
Adoption Source Nose Count
Ferret Specific Shelter 44 57.1%
Private Adoption 23 29.9%
Community Animal Shelter 4 5.2%
Exotic Animal Rescue 1 1.3%
From Friend 1 1.3%
MaFF 1 1.3%
Petco 1 1.3%
Relative 1 1.3%
she was adopted from a rescue by a friend but 1 1.3%
didn't get on with her jill, tried her with my group
and agreed with rescue to transfer adoptin to
me.
Total 77 100%
Environment Nose Count
Indoor Cage 126 54.3%
Ferret Room 65 28.0%
Has 24/7 run of house 10 4.3%
Outdoor Cage 7 3.0%
50/50 cage/run of house 4 1.7%
ferret room 24/7 plus free roam of apartment when I'm home 4 1.7%
Has 24/7 run of apartment 3 1.3%
ferret room when we aren't home, free run of house when we 2 0.9%
are
Caged at night only 1 0.4%
Caged only at night 1 0.4%
combination of ferret room and free roam when I am home 1 0.4%
24/7 run of ferret room 1 0.4%
has 1/2 day free roam 1 0.4%
INDOOR CAGE AND RUN OF HOUSE 1 0.4%
INDOOR CAGE W/ 5 HR RUN OF HOUSE 1 0.4%
INDOOR CAGE WITH RUN OF HOUSE 1 0.4%
iNDOOR CAGE WITH RUN OF THE HOUSE 1 0.4%
LARGE OUTDOOR HABITAT 1 0.4%
ferret room when we're not home, full run of house when we 1 0.4%
are home
232 100%
Play time out of cage Nose Count
3 to 4 hours 51 30.9%
5 to 6 hours 31 18.8%
If I am home the cage is open 25 15.2%
1 to 2 hours 21 12.7%
Rotating shifts relative to number of cages in room or who gets 20 12.1%
along with who.
Sometimes they are out all day, if they fall asleep before I round 4 2.4%
them up. If I am able to round them up then they are out from
6:30am - 10am and then again at night...
7 to 8 hours 4 2.4%
Less than an hour 2 1.2%
rotating play times btwn 2 groups at least 6 hrs play each group 1 0.6%
per day
Only when room is being cleaned 1 0.6%
As much time as she wanted 1 0.6%
anywhere between 2-4 hours 1 0.6%
24/7 1 0.6%
2-4 hours 1 0.6%
17 hrs 1 0.6%
165 100%
What do you feed your ferret?
Totally Ferret Original 73 31%
Totally Ferret Senior 9 4%
Natural Gold Ferret 18 8%
Zupreem 51 21%
IAM's Kitten 18 8%
IAM's Cat 1 0%
Purina Kitten Chow 8 3%
Marshall's Premium Diet 22 9%
8 In 1 Ultra Blend 21 9%
8in1 Ultimate 28 12%
KayTee Forti Diet 6 3%
Mazuri 5 2%
Evo Innova 103 43%
Innova Cat Food 16 7%
Dr Foster and Smith Mix 19 8%
Dr's Foster & Smith Premium 21 9%
ProPlan Kitten 10 4%
Prescription A/D 9 4%
Eukanuba Kitten 1 0%
NutroMax 1 0%
Nutro Natural Complete Kitten 1 0%
Wellness Core 2 1%
Duck Soup Recipe 45 19%
Raw Diet 39 16%
Other 69 29%
What supplements/treats do you give your ferret?
8 in 1 Ferretone 165 85%
8 in 1 Ferretvite 74 38%
Bandits 24 12%
Chicken Jerky 31 16%
Raisins* 15 8%
Yogurt Drops 2 1%
Other 85 44%
*Please note that raisins have been reported by veterinarians to potentially cause kidney failure in ferrets and are therefore not recommended by the Big Ferret Fact Finder.
Socialization
Ferret is a solitary 18 8%
ferret is bonded to other ferrets 192 84%
ferret socializes with our cat(s) 61 27%
ferret socializes with our dog(s) 37 16%
Other 24 11%
Litter
Cell-Sorb Plus 4 2%
Wood pellets 89 40%
Yesterday's News 74 33%
Clay cat litter 11 5%
Shredded paper 1 0%
Newspaper 28 13%
Other 58 26%
Bath Frequency Nose Count
Only when dirty 131 59.3%
Never 27 12.2%
Monthly 23 10.4%
Twice a year 7 3.2%
approx once per year 5 2.3%
Only if needed 3 1.4%
once or twice a year 3 1.4%
About once a year 2 0.9%
4 to 5 times a year 1 0.5%
every other month 1 0.5%
2x a year 1 0.5%
2 times a year/when dirty 1 0.5%
2 times a year or dirty 1 0.5%
About every other month 1 0.5%
apprix once per year 1 0.5%
approx 1 time per year 1 0.5%
approx once a year 1 0.5%
Aprox once a year 1 0.5%
1 -2 times a year 1 0.5%
bi-weekly, no soap 1 0.5%
varies but never more than once a month 1 0.5%
for shows, or if too dirty cant wipe off gets water bath 1 0.5%
it varies, but never more than once a month 1 0.5%
only show time 1 0.5%
Only when needed 1 0.5%
Twice a year unless really in need, or if there is a show. 1 0.5%
twice a year, or when dirty 1 0.5%
Beginning of spring, end of summer 1 0.5%
221 100%
Nail Clipping Frequency Nose Count
Twice a month 83 37.6%
Every 10-14 days 64 29.0%
Weekly 24 10.9%
Only when noticibly long 20 9.0%
Monthly 13 5.9%
every 10 - 14 days 6 2.7%
every three weeks 5 2.3%
Never 4 1.8%
As needed for each individual ferret. 1 0.5%
about every three weeks 1 0.5%
221 100%
Ear Cleaning Frequency Nose Count
When build up is noticed 75 33.8%
Twice a month 63 28.4%
Monthly 36 16.2%
Weekly 26 11.7%
Veterinary cleanings only 11 5.0%
Never 4 1.8%
Vt recommended NOT to clean ears 1 0.5%
vet suggested NOT to clean their ears 1 0.5%
Vet recommended NOT to clean ears 1 0.5%
vet cleans them yearly 1 0.5%
vet care when necessary 1 0.5%
My vet cleans them yearly 1 0.5%
every other month 1 0.5%
222 100%
Exposure to Natural Light Nose Count
The room where they are gets plenty of natural light 128 65.0%
The room where they are gets some natural light 50 25.4%
The room where they are gets very little natural light 14 7.1%
The room where they are gets no natural light 5 2.5%
197 100%
Exposure to Artificial Light Nose Count
The room where they are use low watt lights and are only on 89 43.6%
when humans need to see
The room where they are the lights are on when we are home 46 22.5%
The room where they are the lights are seldom on 27 13.2%
The room where they are have no artificial light 5 2.5%
cage cover 5 2.5%
Lights on during the day, off at night. 5 2.5%
I only turn the lights on as needed, because I know it's not good 4 2.0%
for them.
Normal Lights, on as required 2 1.0%
LOW LIGHTS WHEN INSIDE 1 0.5%
cage covers used at all times when in cage 1 0.5%
lives outside and has a enlcosed nest box so chooses light or 1 0.5%
dark.
lights are on low setting when wee ar in the room at night 1 0.5%
cage covers used 1 0.5%
live outside choose whether to be light or in enclosed nest box 1 0.5%
live outside they choose to be in the light or in there dark nest box 1 0.5%
cage covers 1 0.5%
idk 1 0.5%
Lives outside and has an enclosed nest box so it is her choice 1 0.5%
low light when wee are in the room at night 1 0.5%
low lighting when we are in the room at night 1 0.5%
We keep their room light off unless they are out and we use low 1 0.5%
watt bulbs throughout the whole house.
low lights when we are in the room at night 1 0.5%
low ligt at night when we're in the room 1 0.5%
On when reading. 1 0.5%
thay live outside, have a dark nest box avaialble so access to 1 0.5%
light or not as they please.
The room where they are the lights are always on 1 0.5%
their cage is outside and they have an enclosed nest box so 1 0.5%
they choose natural light or not,
Their light is on when in their room and its dark outside, and the 1 0.5%
lights are on when it's their playtime, which is at night
low light when wee're in the room at night 1 0.5%
204 100%
Exposure to Cigarette Smoke Nose Count
Never 198 89.2%
Regularly 13 5.9%
Occasionally 11 5.0%
222 100%
Symptoms indicating illness
Hind End Weakness 25 33%
Vomiting 17 22%
Diarrhea 27 36%
Loss of fur 27 36%
Staring into space / Trance 13 17%
Trouble urinating 6 8%
Loss of appetite 24 32%
Lethargy 34 45%
Red or swollen nipples 1 1%
Other 26 34%
Disability
Deafness 13 15%
Blindness 6 7%
Chronic incurable illness
Adrenal Disease 40 48%
Insulinoma 25 30%
Lymphoma 19 23%
Other 28 33%
Treatments of Adrenal Disease
Lupron 12 39%
Melatonin 13 42%
Surgery 17 55%
Other 5 16%
Curable Illnesses
Skin Tumors / Cell Masts 21 23%
Influenza 7 8%
Dental Disease 13 14%
Blockage (intestinal) 4 4%
Ear Infection 9 10%
Stomach ulcers 19 20%
Ear mites 42 45%
Eye Infection 3 3%
Other 23 25%
Most apparent temperaments:
Mellow 76 33%
Docile 33 14%
Hyper 63 27%
Shy 12 5%
Friendly 123 53%
Curious 124 54%
Cautious 22 10%
Other 32 14%
Biting Tendencies Nose Count
Never 103 44.4%
Only playfully 99 42.7%
When frightened or irritated 12 5.2%
SOCKS! 3 1.3%
Everyone but me 1 0.4%
gets in moods where he does bite very badly, but not every day 1 0.4%
He is unable to bite, due to jaw limitations 1 0.4%
He was mistreated so bites people he does not know to test them 1 0.4%
Occassionally 1 0.4%
on rare occasion not hard though 1 0.4%
bites hands when she can as well as feet, draws blood and 1 0.4%
clamps and shuts eyes tight
playfully or when wants something 1 0.4%
will only bite me in play but will nip other people, doesn't draw 1 0.4%
blood
Playfully, but only me 1 0.4%
Playfully, but when he can make a speedy getaway (eg is in a 1 0.4%
tube)
she bites playfully, but it's a real bite. We're working on it. 1 0.4%
sometimes playful but other times for no apparent reason 1 0.4%
when in the mood to bite, but not always 1 0.4%
Only when she is alone and playing with me 1 0.4%
232 100%
Litter Box Success Nose Count
Most of the time they backs right in there 102 45.5%
Uses the litter box as long as I keep it clean 28 12.5%
Tries hard but makes frequent misses 28 12.5%
I worry this ferret is ill if a miss occurs 26 11.6%
Occasionally scores, but mostly misses 12 5.4%
Wouldn't use a litter box if their little life depended on it! 8 3.6%
Uses the litter box only when I am watching! 6 2.7%
100% in cage 3 1.3%
Uses box in cage 100%. He has a 0% hit rate out of cage. 1 0.4%
sometimes get in, most times not 1 0.4%
Prefers Newspaper 1 0.4%
won't use a litter box, but poops in corner of cage which is 1 0.4%
cleaned daily
He will use the litter box, but he will also go where ever he feels 1 0.4%
when he is out of the cage.
He will use the litter box, but he will also go where ever he feels 1 0.4%
like going.
He goes where ever he feels like it. 1 0.4%
Hates litterboxes, but if I just put newspaper down, she'll go in 1 0.4%
the same corner everytime.
Getting better very few misses now 1 0.4%
100% in the cage, 75% out 1 0.4%
most of time, but marks outside of box 1 0.4%
Total 224 100%
95% of ferrets are spayed or neutered (221 of 232)
69% of ferrets are taken outside (161 of 233)
10% of ferrets have microchips (22 of 228)
Longevity verses Lifespan: The longevity data includes all ferrets surveyed that have provided an approximate date of birth and is reported using a sliding scale, in that the oldest ferrets are included throughout the data. Age is calculated from birth date until today unless ferrets that have passed over the bridge in which case longevity is calculated from birth to bridge.
The lifespan data only uses data from ferrets that have passed over the bridge and is reported using a straight scale to summarize the age surveyed were when they passed over the bridge.
Longevity
71% (166 of 233) are 1+ years old
49% (114 of 166) are 2+ years old
38% (88 of 114) are 3+ years old
29% (67 of 88) are 4+ years old
23% (54 of 67) are 5+ years old
12% (29 of 54) are 6+ years old
5% (12 of 29) are 7+ years old
2% (5 of 12) are 8+ years old
1% (2 of 5) are 9+ years old
Graph Credits: Kenny Mayne
with the help of ferret lovers around the world!
Ferret Artwork Credits:
Arriving at the Rainbow Bridge
By Clara Rodriguez, 2006
Clara's Creations, P.O. Box 752, North Bergen, NJ 07047
(201) 863-6229
Lifespan
7% (3 of 46) passed away as kits
9% (4 of 46) passed away after a year
7% (3 of 46) passed away after 2 years
9% (4 of 46) passed away after 3 years
7% (3 of 46) passed away after 4 years
24% (11 of 46) passed away after 5 years
17% (8 of 46) passed away after 6 years
13% (6 of 46) passed away after 7 years
7% (3 of 46) passed away after 8 years
2% (1 of 46) passed away after 9 years
--
Kenny Mayne
Ipswich, MA
http://ferretfactfinder.blogspot.com/
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