Fairoak Ferrets
{Angora and Standard Ferrets}
{HOUSING FOR YOUR FERRETS}
Ferrets are sociable animals and really MUST be kept in pairs at the very least. Myself and many other ferret owners feel a group of 3 ferrets is the best number to have. If a ferret were to fall ill and sadly pass, then the remaining two ferrets still have each other for company as ferrets often pine for a lost cage-mate and can make themselves ill in the process. Housing for a pair or trio of ferrets depends on whether you would prefer your pets indoors or outdoors. I keep my guys outdoors, and have a dedicated ferret play area on the lawn and a play "shed" for when it is a rainy day. Occasionally we have the ferrets indoors with us for play.
Outdoor homes for ferrets can range from large double or triple hutches to full courts built to the style of an aviary. Purchase the biggest home you can afford as ferrets love to sprint and bounce about their homes when they are awake! If you are looking at hutches, look for a 5ft double hutch at the very least for 2, a 6ft double hutch can accommodate around 3 or 4 adult ferrets nicely. A Chicken Coop can be modified into a great home, coops can be modified for ferrets and provide a warm sleeping area and a big run area in the bottom with space for toys to play. Beware of buying coops online though, as many are a lot smaller than they look. If you are looking for a coop, then an 8ft to 10ft coop is ideal and makes a fab home for a group of ferrets!
The best home you can provide for your ferrets outdoors is a shed. Sheds are often less money than buying hutches and coops and modifying them for ferrets. You can put many toys such as tubes and tunnels (Ferrets love to explore!) into a shed and it is easy for you to clean out as you can fit inside. Many people even attach an aviary to their sheds and a cat-flap system so their ferrets can wander in and out for playing.
5ft Hutch
9ft Chicken Coop
Our Nursing and Play Shed (6x10ft)
If you prefer your ferrets indoors then a great home is a Liberta Explorer cage. The explorer is a double cage with full platforms so your ferret can wander upstairs or downstairs. Hammocks are a favourite sleeping spot for ferrets and these can easily be clipped onto the bars of an Explorer cage for your ferret to lounge upon. Indoor rabbit cages are not suitable for ferrets as they can often squeze through the bendy bars to escape. Ferrets are very flexible, so need an indoor home that is solid and secure as well as spacious.
Our 6x6ft Aviary, converted into two housing units, complete with "levels"
Another great indoor home if you have the space or a room in your house are "Indoor Rabbit Pens" these pens are usually contructed of planed timber and persex sheets. They have no bars for the ferret to be able to climb up and the roof of the pen is open, allowing plenty of ventilation and regular interaction by just dipping your hand in to give your babies a fuss! You can find fantastic housing like this here: https://boylespethousing.co.uk/product/4-sided-indoor-rabbit-pen-or-cage/
Keeping ferrets indoors ensures plenty of interaction and you'll get to see all of your ferrets funny little quirks! Don't forget to furnish your ferrets homes accordingly whether they be indoor or outdoor homes.
Ferrets will require a dark bedroom area with bedding such as old jumpers, fleece or cat bed. A hammock is also needed as a place for your ferret to relax during the daytime, and the all important litter tray for defecation. Ferrets naturally go to the toilet in the furthest corner of their homes so placing a litter tray in this area makes it easier for you to scoop and clean every day. Cat litter can be used in the tray as a litter substrate, we use Back 2 Nature paper pellet litter for our ferrets.
Indoor "Explorer" Cages
Indoor Ferret Cage - Ideal sizings.
Indoor "Rabbit Pen" with open roof for ventilation
If you would like more detailed information on where you can purchase housing for your ferrets, then have a look at the "UK Ferret Info" website for further information and specificatons so you can get the right size of housing for the right amount of ferrets: