Live Life Team
Baby ferrets, called kits, gestate between 40 and 44 days. A typical litter has between six and eight kits. They are born hairless and with their eyes closed, and the eyes will remain closed for several more weeks. Newborn kits are completely dependent on their mother, and should nurse exclusively for at least three weeks. Solid food can begin to be introduced in small amounts around this time, although the kits will rely on their mother for the majority of their nutritional needs until full weaning occurs, usually around six weeks. Soft, downy hair begins to grow after two or three weeks, yet their colour and markings will not be apparent for quite some time. The kits will begin to open their eyes and gain more mobility at four to five weeks. A healthy, thriving kit will almost double in size every week or so for the first few months of life.
When caring for a newborn litter, it is imperative that the kits be left alone with their mother for some time. It can be tempting to look in on the little ones, but if the mother is not ready she may turn on her young and abandon or even kill them. Newborn kits should never be handled by people until the mother indicates her readiness. Much of this depends on the jill’s relationship with her owner, but as a general rule, mother and babies should be left to their own devices for as long as possible. Of course, a responsible owner will also be on the alert for signs of distress. These can include incessant crying coming from the kits; indications that the mother is overwhelmed or scared; or, if the litter is large, warning signs that the jill is struggling to feed her brood. In these cases, human intervention may be needed to ensure the well-being of the jill and her kits.
Full weaning of ferret kits should take place between six and eight weeks. If the kits are to be put up for sale or adoption, they should be kept for at least two more weeks after weaning, in order to complete the separation process from their mother. This period of time is also crucial for socialization and human interaction.
