What is a "Marshall Ferret?"

[Ratwings]

I often hear people saying how their ferret is a Marshall ferret.  I also always hear people (very often the same people) saying how Marshall ferrets tend to be unhealthy, have all kinds of genetics disorders, etc.  So my question is: why do people even still buy Marshall's ferrets?  It seems to me it is some kind of ferret version of a puppy mill.  I feel like I should know more about this topic since I'm a vet tech student right now and my goal is to work in an exotics practice.  I'm sure you guys will be able to point me in the right direction for some info.  Thanks.

[Lmbswimmer]

It is very, very, very hard to find a non marshall ferret.  At least up my way.  All petstores sell Marshall, and almost all the ferrets in rescue are marshall.  I do not personally know of any breeders in this area of my state.  Therefore, once we have the room again I plan on owning ferrets, and kind of resigned myself to the fact that they will be marshall since I plan on rescuing a pair.

[taku]

http://www.marshallpet.com/ferrets.asp


Marshall Farms represents a very well known mass breeder of ferrets. They sell them not only to pet stores, but to laboratories. Some common problems with such breeders is that the ferrets are not necessarily bred dependant upon the health history of their ancestors, and because they are weaned far too young for their age, and shipped in substandard conditions. Most ferrets are Marshall farms, or other mass breeders that have acquired the same identification as Marshalls...two small blue or black dots on the right ear of the ferret to represent that the ferret has been neutered/spayed and descented. Neutering and spaying a ferret at a very young age has can have long term growth effects. but unfortunately is still legal in the US.
 I could tell you to avoid these Marshalls ferrets like the plague, but then you may miss out on a wonderful pet, and in some areas of the country it would be very very hard to find a ferret that is not a Marshalls. Marshalls pets (and other mass breeders) may have a higher mortality rate due to common ferret diseases like insulinoma and adrenal disease.
 I, myself, have a Marshall's ferret rescue. I love her. Wouldn't trade her for the world. Just be aware that ferrets that do not come from a true small ferret breeder that tries to breed for health and temperament may not live as long, or be prone to long-term health problems. Or they may not have a single problem and live for years and years.
 My recommendation is to education yourself about the care and well-being of a ferret, and the trials and tribulations of having a pet ferret before you consider any ferret..rescue, Marshall's, or otherwise.

[Ratwings]

Thanks for the info.  It did confirm my suspicions about Marshall's Ferrets though.  It still gives me an uneasy feeling to see animals being mass-produced as a commodity like that.  If I ever get a ferret someday (and I do hope to) I fully intend to adopt a rescue or two, as there is a wonderful rescue in my neighborhood.  Marshall's or not I wouldn't turn down a ferret that needs a good home!

[ShadowDancer60]

Unfortunately, as mentioned above, most ferrets are Marshall. With hte exception of one male, who was born to a breeder in a state that, at the time, had laws against ferret ownership, all of ours have been Marshall... We've only bought one from a pet store ( returned because the previous owner had bought him, as well as 2 chinchillas, and then placed all three in the same cage. I leave the results up to you. ). Kato, our non-farm weasel, lived to 9.5 years of age... but, Bonehead, a Marshall, lived to nearly 11. They do seem prone to Adrenal, and other, tumors. Presently, our business sits at 9. We've had over 60 come through our lives in the past 14 years.

[NutKitty]

Mine was a marshall's too... 

Wow, just imagine how many they must breed each year. 

[JohariZ]

the petstore that I work at gets about 30 or more ferrets each month. that's a lot of ferrets for one area in a year... and there are MANY petstores that sell ferrrets in this area.

Z