Controversy on Marshal Farms Ferrets?!?

Question

I owned a ferret a loooong time ago. I purchased from a 'mom and pop' pet shop who buys from private breeders. (This is why I had no idea about the Marshal Farms controversy). Dakota is long gone now and I recently purchased a ferret from the chain PetSmart. I started asking and researching my new ferrets (Clover) two blue tatooes. This is when I found out about the Marshal Farms Debate.

Have you personally had a bad experience/dislike/like what Marshal Farms is doing/is about?

Answer 1

Marshall Farms is NOT the only supplier out there, there are others. Most of the stores here have switched to breeders like Path Valley for instance, but I personally believe that any time you deal with a large scale breeding operation you'll find things you won't like about them. That's why private breeders are really best, but also more expensive.
Marshall Farms has been in the ferret news for their over breeding of females, the way the house them, the age they separate and alter their kits and the way they ship them. One of the stores here received a shipment in the winter time with a kit laying in a frozen water bowl. It was actually frozen to the bowl. They told me just about a month ago that they no longer carry Marshall's because of bad quality as far as their health is concerned. Lots of sick kits, especially respiratory problems. Some say that Marshall kits are also smaller than others and looking at my bunch that may be true. What I don't like about Marshall's is that they breed and sell animals to be sent to laboratories, not only ferrets, but Beagles.
One good thing about the Marshall ferrets was that they seemed to be easier to handle, gentler and less nippy. I don't buy from stores anymore I adopt, and when I do, I don't care where the fert came from. I love them all.

Answer 2

i have owned 10 ferrets total(not all at once) and 9 of them were Marshall's!outside of the fact that all breeders take the babies away from the mothers before they are weaned and that they spay/neuter them too young i would rate Marshall's ferrets as the best breeder there is. the ferrets are all guaranteed from ill health and their temperament is excellent. Their food is the best for ferrets as well. No problems here!

Answer 3

Whats the Marshal Farms controversy? I am from Australia so dont know what its all about. Will it affect me

Answer 4

I do not know what they are currently doing about it, but they really are the only supplier of ferretts for pet stores. There is not much choice unless you seek out a private breeder.