Important question!!!!

[luna21]

I was wondering when the ideal age is to weanthe kits away from their mother?? I heard it was 8 weeks to maximizetheir nutrition intake but im still concerned that this mightstill be alittle too young!!! Im looking out for their well being, andwant them to benefit as much as possible before they leave their mum!!

Luna

 

[Buck Jones]

Experienced breeders here will have a better take here, but I thought I read 12 weeks to be the optimum in terms of insuring the most healthy youngsters possible.

Buck

 

[pamnock]

Milk production actually begins to decrease at 21 days -- the age when kits in the wild would normally be weaned.

I believe that 6 weeks is the optimal age, and don't recommend anylonger than 8 weeks. It can be draining on the doe tocontinue to let the kits nurse, and the resulted crowding of thequickly growing kits can lead to over crowding and the spread ofdisease.

Kits can reach sexual maturity as early as 12 weeks of age.

Pam

 

[Buck Jones]

Thanks, Pam! For the correction(s). I guess I was just tryin' to create a bunch of "Hanger Onners!" LOL

Maybe I read of the optimal time to separate them from the moms and sell them. Would 12 weeks be appropriate in those circumstances, or can they be sold, therefore, as young as six week sold without any detriment to their health?

Buck

 

[pamnock]

Buck Jones wrote:

Thanks, Pam! For the correction(s). Iguess I was just tryin' to create a bunch of "Hanger Onners!" LOL

Maybe I read of the optimal time to separate them from the moms andsell them. Would 12 weeks be appropriate in thosecircumstances, or can they be sold, therefore, as young as six weeksold without any detriment to their health?

Buck

I agree that it's better to sell the babies as late aspossible. Twelve weeks is ideal. I don't believethat kits should be sold any younger than 8 weeks. Theyounger the kit is when sold, the higher the mortality rate due to thestress and change of environment and food.

Surprisingly, many kits may even do better when weaned at a very early age -- however stressshould be minimized.

Pam

 

[luna21]

I think im going to wait till they are6 weeks to wean them, I feel comfortable with that, I wouldn't want toput unessecary stress on my doe!! I am however planning on keeping akit and was wondering if the kit should have its own cage or if itwould be safe to leave it with its mother??

Luna