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Socialization / Integration
When you first bring home a new ferret allow him to rest from the excitement of a new home and family. All new ferrets entering your home need to be quarantined for at least two weeks in order to protect your existing ferrets from ADV and a myriad of other illnesses. Before you introduce the new kid give him a bath in some smelly ferret or gentle human shampoo. Then use this same shampoo on all of your existing ferrets. This will level the playing field by giving them all the same scent. Introduce the new ferret on neutral turf. This could be the back yard in a playpen or the tub. If things go well then you may be able to move them back to their own room and have no problems. If nobody seems stressed (screaming with fear poop, bleeding or ganging up on anyone) this would be a quick integration. During the initial introduction period keep a close watch for signs of stress, especially a refusal to eat.
If you have fear poop and/or blood with horrible screams you need to separate them and try again another time. In these cases more work from you will be required. Try swapping their bedding in their cages every day so they get used to each others scent. Keep their playtimes together short and anticipate when they might get into it with each other so you may separate them before trouble starts. Slowly increase their time together. When ferrets are continually being attacked spray Bitter Apple on the backs of their necks. You can also try putting yummy Ferretone on everybody's back to encourage friendly licking instead of aggression. In the event they get into a brawling match for the safety of all ferrets you must separate them. (Be careful with your fingers) Washing all toys they share will also help prevent aggression, as will providing new more challenging and stimulating toys to distract them from each other hoping to instead have them investigate together. Important: not all ferrets will be able to be integrated. You should have a plan in place in advance in the event this is the case. Some ferrets just don't get along with others. This is especially the case with unaltered males.
