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Tim

Tim

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so does anyone know what this could be?
This little furry friend was caught on our camera ferreting about in our garden at 6:00 this morning. Is it a ferret? Is it a stoat? Is it someone's pet which has got out?
 
Looks like a ferret to me...I though it could be a Pine Martin, it's coat and ear shape are very similar, but they don"t reside in your part on the country. So I guess a ferret!
 
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How's about a Polecat? I hope not! :(
 
Looks like a ferret to me too - and it looks tame so I'm suspecting it's an escaped pet.
 
We first thought it could be a ferret, but thought it might be too big and tame. Perhaps it could be someone's pet :( I just hope my piggies will be ok on the lawn, can they harm the piggies?
 
carrie anne said:
I didn't think of a polecat...they live all over the UK. Are your piggies living indoors?
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most of my boys live outside. They all enjoy lawn time, I was worried if it was a pole cat and they got hold of my piggies :( But I'm assuming ferrets would also kill?
 
According to the interweb, ferrets are the domesticated form of the European polecat, so there's not a lot of difference in whether they could be dangerous to piggies I guess. I don't think it is a stoat or weasel because I couldn't see any white underside. I did wonder if it might be a mink, but you would have to be near a waterway for it to be one of those. Whichever it is, I would make sure there was no way one could get near my piggies - I'm pretty sure any would try to kill a pig if they could . :(
Perhaps you should put up a notice on a lamp-post asking if anyone has lost a pet ferret?
 
Looks like a ferret to me! Take your pigs inside @Tim just to be on the safe side. Could you try coaxing it into a pet carrier and taking it to a rescue centre?
 
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I would try and catch it in a trap with a one way door, but I'm worried I'd get a cat instead. We've set up feeding stations for hedgehogs but the blumin moggies keep getting in :cen:
 
:yikes:My first thought was polecat but more likely an escaped (or dumped) ferret, either way it is a huge risk to your piggies and will kill them given the chance. I would set up traps (like the type the CPL use to catch cats). If you accidentally catch a cat it wont be harmed. Or contact the RSPCA to see what they can do.
 
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Ferrets are great escape artists! I guest someone is looking for their lost critter right now.
Yes, they will kill piggies too, sadly, so make sure your pigs are safe and secure.
 
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Haha I thought it was an otter ... Oh well. Had my glasses on too.
 
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Right then, I've set up a trap. I've made one from grids and cable ties pegged down and covered in case it rains. Plenty of room in there too. Now my question is what's the best bait without attracting the neighbourhood of cats? :hmm:
 
Tim said:
Right then, I've set up a trap. I've made one from grids and cable ties pegged down and covered in case it rains. Plenty of room in there too. Now my question is what's the best bait without attracting the neighbourhood of cats? :hmm:
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Thats a good question. They are both carnivores :hmm:but i have a suspicion that ferrets are partial to eggs. A whole, raw chicken egg might work. Or you could make the door a lot smaller as ferrets can fit through much smaller gaps than cats
 
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It looks in good health, hope you catch him. My ferret lived raw mince but I bet putting that in the trap will attract other things.
 
Nothing caught yet :( The small amount of food was taken from outside the trap by a cat but the inside was left. I have a camera on it too and will alert me if anything is caught.
 
Mother Hubbard said:
Cheeky cat..it's quite addictive isn't it...the camera's that is.
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I had a camera in the conservatory last night to keep an eye on some rescue piggies. My sister popped by and was chatting to my mum, I had to say hi through the camera :D It made her jump and spill her tea! :lol!:
 
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