a few questions...

Question
I've got a few questions. I adopted my sweetie, Crash, last year in Feb. or March. When we picked her out at Petco we noticed she was smaller than the rest of the ferrets and she was very calm compared to the others. We assumed she was young and possibly a runt. She was born around December of 2006 so she is pretty young but she still only weighs 1.4lbs. Our vet asked us if she has always been this small but didn't say it was a problem. Have you heard of them staying so tiny? A few days ago we were at Petco when the employee informed us that a guy dropped off 6 ferrets and they were giving them away to good homes. We thought we'd give it a try and see if Crash would like a sister. So we brought home Wheezy. Which we named this because she wheezes when she runs and eats. My boyfriend spoke with a guy at Petco and he said its probably because shes overweight. We have not taken her to the vet yet but she is at least twice as big as Crash. Both have good appetites and tons of energy although we noticed Crash tires a little quicker then Wheezy. Do you think the weight or wheezing is a problem? And is Crash getting tired quicker because shes so small? These are our first ferrets so we don't know much except for the research I've done. I've read all about the illness they can get and things that can go wrong. This is one reason I have so many questions. Also, I didn't know that we were supposed to keep them separated for a few weeks to get them used to each other and each others smell. They seem to be getting along pretty well but I am worried about leaving them alone together. I need all the help I can get. Thank You SO much!

Answer
Have you heard of them staying so tiny?
My smallest ferret was under a pound, so that is not unusual but monitor her weight to make sure it is normal for her.  You can buy a gram scale at a kitchen store which means you can weigh her every so often to make sure she isn't loosing weight.  Generally males weight more than females.

Do you think the weight or wheezing is a problem?
I don't often hear of overweight ferrets so I would certainly have a vet check her out to make sure nothing is wrong.  If she is overweight, exercise is vital to help her lose the weight.

And is Crash getting tired quicker because shes so small?
Possibly, but more likely it is lack of exercise and she isn't fit.  Lots of play time will help.  She also may just not be quite as playful as ferrets have different personalities.

I didn't know that we were supposed to keep them separated for a few weeks to get them used to each other and each others smell.
Actually, you shouldn't.  they should go through a quarantine period, but then there is no reason to separate them.

My recommendation is Ferrets for Dummies by Kim Schilling.  GREAT resource for old and new ferret owners.