ferrets are not getting on

Question
Hello. I have two ferrets which are mother (2 yr old) and daughter(1 yr old). the mother escaped and was missing for 2-3 weeks. she has come back but now her daughter doesn't like her. she tries to attack her and bite the back of her neck. I have looked on many sites and have tried introducing them and letting them fight a bit, i also tried putting lemon juice on their scruffs to discourage biting, none of which have worked. we have to keep them seperate incase one gets injured. the mother is a gentle wee soul and is very maternal. would it be better to get another YOUNG ferret and sell the daughter? or have you any other ways of introducing ferrets? sorry this message is so long but i've had a lot to say. ta. bye.  

Answer
 Hello,
Well, I need more info, but I will try to help.
I am going to assume that they got along prior to the mom getting lost. First let me say I am very glad you got your ferret back!
Now, have you BATHED both ferrets, and ALL the bedding, and bleach or vinegar down the cage entirely since she has come back? It could very well be that she has a different animal's scent on her (from being out in the wild) and that is antagonizing the daughter. You need to take your ferrets out of his cage and clean the cage thoroughly, then wash it with DILUTED bleach water, or you can use VINEGAR water if you don't want to use bleach. Then Rinse the cage thoroughly, and let it air dry. That should take of the problem.
If that does not work, take DAUGHTER and MOTHER and put them in a neutral area, not the cage and see if they fight.
You can also try "bitter apple" on the mother's scruff to prevent the daughter from biting too hard (you can find that in the petstore in the dog training isle). It could be one of several things. It could be the first suggestion, and if that's it, then the bathing should help.
It could also be that the daughter has established herself as the "Alpha" since the mother was gone, and is now defending her turf. If that is the case, you need to let them fight it out, as terrible as it sounds. Ferret's fight much like cats, in that there is a lot of screaming but it sounds worse than it is. The mother needs to put daughter back in her place, so to speak. try to notice who instigates the fight. If it is the daughter, then this could be the case.
Now, if the fighting is SEVERE, in that one ferrets is in danger of being hurt, or bloodshed, then don't try this, and you will have to keep them separate.
If you want your ferrets housed together, then you may have to re-home the daughter.
But I am hoping that the first suggestion works!
PLEASE let me know if it does, or if you have any more questions.
Also, here is a very good link to help with the fighting, to determine what is the problem:

http://www.cypresskeep.com/Ferretfiles/Fighting-FM.htm

Thanks!