Re: breeding age.
We would first mate 5-7 months and personally only have 1 litter from a female.
Males we would breed as long as they are eager always remembering that a mating takes a lot out of them.
We do not test mate to see if the female stands again. We find it better to give it the full 16 days as we feel test mating may cause them to resorb due to the stress of it and also the reports that some females will stand even if already pregnant.
Mating is always a risk no matter how careful you are. Risk to males of being attacked and injured as well as females being hurt.
Risk of pyo in the females due to introduction of bacteria from the male. Risk to female in carrying and birthing the litter as well as nurturing.
It needs great thought and acceptance of the risks.
|