Ferret Brothers fighting

Question
I have the most incredible brothers who are nine months old nearly. My boyfriend was given them as a tip as the man who's female had had kits didn't have a home for them. Neither ferret has been neutered yet as my other half wants to keep them for potential breeding, I however am not so sure about this.

I've never owned ferrets before but from all research and question asking I have done I'm very sure I have 2 very very happy little (not so little anymore but they always will be to me)boys.  They are very very vocal and make the clucking sound lots whilst bouncing around to flat, we dook and play ad they love to wrestle and chase bottles and balls.  Is it normal for them to like water?  I am forever playing in the bathroom with the boys in the bath with a shower hose running softly, I hasten to add I am dragged to the bathroom by banging from Bert on the bath.  I am everyday surprised by the intelligence of these boys :O)

They are currently in a one storey 3.5 foot by 2 foot cage which stands about 1.5 feet tall.  They share the cage and hammock happily.  There is frequent ear cleaning and they cuddle constantly when asleep.  My problem is the fighting if that's what it is.

They start by just playing and the usual expected crazy behaviour gets under way but after a while the playing becomes a neck dragging, aligator roll experience which is causing scabs to appear on the neck of Ernie who was origianally the runt of the litter.

The scabs are clean and heal and are caused, from what i can tell, by some fur being pulled out during the tugs.  It's almost and evenly matched fight but Bert has recently hit a growth spurt and now the scabs have appeared.  They are instantly separated if I am around and I hear any kind of distress but what happens when I am out or at work is starting to worry me.  When they are reunited after a separation they are back to loving each other dearly.

All poop is soft but not runny, brown in colour, their diet is now mainly dry food as they chose not to eat the liver, heart etc.  They love chicken and the occasional boiled egg but the treat of choice is sultanas which is only issued as a reward for being good.

The other question is about the mounting that has started to happen since their genitals have dropped.  It starts with tugging on the top of the head then clucking and chatting.  They ignore each other whislt this happens with the occasional warning hiss if the tugging is becoming annoying.  Is this normal behaviour for this part of growth?

I am hoping your advice won't be to sepaate them but am eternally grateful for any help you can give.  These 2 wonderful fuzzies have given me such good training I couldn'tbare to not have one of them around.

Many Thanks

Answer
Hello Kerry and company!,

Welcome to the wonderful world of ferret parenting! Ferrets are definitely the best pets if you're looking for a fun loving creature that will make you laugh 24/7! The behavior your describing is normal, but its also probably exacerbated by the fact that neither of them are neutered yet. There are two very good reasons to neuter ferrets: one is that male ferrets stink to high heaven when they aren't neutered! It gets really bad. The second is that male ferrets that aren't neutered tend to get pretty aggressive, which is what you're starting to see. Yes, they are playing, but they are trying to work out the 'pecking order' as it were, which is why you're seeing the neck tugging and the alligator roll. This happens with ferrets that are neutered, but like I said, its probably exaggerated in your little ones. Also, the mounting is part of that. I would imagine that it is very much a part of their 'fight' for dominance.

While it is tempting to want to breed ferrets (ferret kits are so cute!), I never suggest that people do it unless they are experienced ferret parents, and they have done extensive research into the project (i.e. spent time with an experienced breeder (VERY important!), read as many books as possible, etc.). With ferret breeding, you have to remember that there is not only a considerable financial commitment but an emotional one as well. Sometimes, not all of the kits make it through the birth, and in some cases that all of them make it, you might not have a good ferret mommy. In the case that the female ferret isn't a very good mother, you would have to begin hand rearing them, which is a serious time commitment.

You said there are scabs on the ferret's necks? So, they are biting hard enough to draw blood? In that case, I would supervise the play time and make sure it doesn't get too out of hand. I would also seriously consider neutering them both. It would really help the aggression and would definitely cut down on the rough fighting. If they aren't drawing blood, pooping out of fear, or screaming when they are playing, then what they're doing is normal and you shouldn't worry, you can just let them work it out. But if they're bleeding, pooping or screaming, they need to be supervised when they're playing together.

I hope this information helps and if there's anything else I can do, please don't hesitate to ask!

Sincerely,
Emilee Andrews