Ferret question - please help!

[crazywiggy]

Once again I've had the "friend of a friend wants to know" thing, assuming I am some sort of all-knowing animal guru... which obvisouly I am not.

If any ferret people can talk me through this that would be great...

Neutering and housing ferrets:

This is how I have always understood it:

Ferrets generally should be housed socially rather than alone.
Entire adult males tend to fight, especially around breding season.
In many species, neutering reduces inter-male fightnig, and allows adult males to live together more peacefully.
Like most animals, intro's should be done on neutral territory.

Does this sound about right so far?

The questions are like this...
Does neutering really help in housing adult males together, or is it like GPs and makes no difference?
Will chemical castration have the same effect as surgical neutering? (It does stop testosterone production)
What is the best way to introduce new ferrets?
What is the best way to re-introduce ferrets that were housed together before neutering but started fighting? Is this even possible?
What is the best age to neuter male ferrets to prevent fighting in the first place?

Any other advice would be great. Currently this "friend of a friend" has two adult males. They have both been kept alone since weaning - they're about a year old now. They have been housed next to eachother so could smell, hear eachother etc. Their owner has just had them chemically castrated (she didn't want to risk surgery) in the hope that they could be housed together. She has had problems housing entire males together in the past - her last boys had to be kept separate because of the injuries they were causing.

Thanks!

[caressatiger]

Does neutering really help in housing adult males together, or is it like GPs and makes no difference?

It does help to have them neutered. Mine do not fight at all. (5 boys and 2 girls all fixed)

Will chemical castration have the same effect as surgical neutering? (It does stop testosterone production)

This I have no Idea about but I would just go ahead and get them neutered.

What is the best way to introduce new ferrets?

Introduce them on neutral grounds. Where neither of them have territory.

What is the best way to re-introduce ferrets that were housed together before neutering but started fighting? Is this even possible?

I wouldnt introduce them personally. I would keep them separated. But, maybe if you keep them on neutral ground and watch them.

What is the best age to neuter male ferrets to prevent fighting in the first place?

Age wise around 7 1/2 to 8 months.