Part 2. Litter Size Reduction Methodology.
 
A caution to the amatuer breeder about two potential problems:
1) Soap and water bath to both the male and female's perineal areas
immediately prior to mating, and 2) Extended screaming by the female is a
sign that anal penetration is likely underway by the male, so carefully
check to determine exactly where intromission is occurring and correct the
situation immediately.
 
Anal penetration is more likely to occur when the two ferrets are grossly
mismatched in their relative sizes.  If and when such dysfunctional coitus
does occur, it is strongly suggested that the breeder male not be used until
a vet establishes that the sheathed penis and its vestibule is not
contaminated with fecal bacteria of the female's rectal flora.
 
The likelihood of uterine infection is enhanced greatly when a "fecal dirty"
male is allowed to mate without being "disinfected" by the vet.  As you may
know, a uterine infection during pregnancy will likely result in death to
the female and her litter when the uterus bursts internally from the
pressure built up by the multitudinous billions and trillions of
microorganisms that will thrive in the dark, warm, nutritous hospitality
that is the uterus.
 
The killzenferrets have somehow related the fecundity of the female, (No.
of ova -eggs-) to the female's seasonality, as I understand their statement.
I'd be most curious to have an expanation of this relationship between the
numbers of ova (eggs) and the time of year that the female displays estrus
(heat wetting), since the litter size is not necessarily a function of the
female only.  The male plays a significant role here too.  Please relate to
us your basis of knowledge for your declarations of number of eggs vs.
estrus (heat) timing.
 
Additionally could an explanation be forthcoming relating to your assessment
of the pseudopregnancy, the false pregnancy.  It would appear that this
reaction is automatic to an "unfulfilled" mating, as you stated above.  You
should be aware that a fulfilled mating can also result in a
pseudopregnancy, and is not necessarily the fault of the female.
 
In your explanation for the failure of the female to produce a litter at 3
different times in one year, due only to the number(?) of eggs, may be
short-sighted since you have not taken into account the receptivity of the
female (being in second stage estrus before mating her) and of the male,
being "out of season." The fault may not be entirely the female's, even
though we guys know that the female of the species is inferior (I cite
Adam's rib).
 
       Alia  tentanda via est. [L.]  Another way must be tried.
 
   Edward Frettchenvergnuegen Lipinski,  Der Frettchenlustbarkeitsfuehrer !
Edward Frettchenvergnuegen Lipinski,  Der Frettchenlustbarkeitsfuehrer !
Frettchenvergnuegen [G.] Joy of Ferrets.  F...fuehrer [G.] Ferret frolics
leader.
[Posted in FML issue 2132]