male ferret behavior

Question
I recently got a 6 month old male ferret from someone who could not care for him anymore.  I already have a 5 year old male and a 6 yr old female.  My male ferret has been very aggressive with the new ferret who is very passive and has not been around other ferrets.  The 6 month old is afraid of him and I have had to keep the two separated.  Can you suggest something I can do so they will get along?  The female ferret is fine with the new guy.  

Answer
Hello,
because you are bringing in a new male to your already established group of "senior" ferrets, you may not be able to house them together. It seems your make sees him as a threat to "his" established territory. And older ferrets are harder to get along with "newbies". If it is true aggression, you may not be able to house them together. BUT, alot of times people misconcieve what is true aggression. Try this website to make sure that you are not seeing normal male behaviors, rather than  them not getting along. Ferrets are very primitive in the way they establish pecking order, and it could just be normal behavior.
Here is an interesting website about ferret behavior that might be helpful to you:
http://www.cypresskeep.com/Ferretfiles/Fighting-FM.htm

If it is not true fighting, then let them work it out on their own. There may be a little bullying from the bigger ferret, but the younger one will grow large enough to defend it off. You may only have to keep them separate for a couple of weeks, with supervised play times. And BE sure to give you ferrets something to do when they are out for play time. Just like children, if they are distracted, they are less likely to squabble.I would provide lots of one on one attention to each ferret over the first several days during separate playtimes, and then open a door so that the newbie can come out of his cage while the other male ferret is out. As long as he feels like he can get away if needed, it won't take long for him to get brave and investigate the male ferret.And let the older male see, smell and gently interact with the baby. And give you older male lots of attetion during these interactions, to prevent jealous rivalry.Also, when introducing new ferrets, everything should be WASHED to provide a neutral territory. Cage, bedding, and ferrets get a bath.
Good Luck, I hope this helped.
amy