Bill K. - I agree with Kylie's post as well on the breeding subject. The key to breeding is knowing the animal, no matter what species it is, and all the risks involved in owning and breeding that animal. You should also be aware of the social status of the animal, etc. Aks yourself if you *need* to be breeding the animals. Kylie wrote: >It is not advisable to breed jill until they are fully physically mature. >Two years is recommended as the earliest. Bill K responded: >Most breeders around here use one year as the fully mature age. I can understand why Kylie would get a two year old start date. As having owned Aussie ferrets (and other imports - NZ in particular), they *do* mature later - mentally more than physically (but physically, too). When breeding my ferrets I often will wait until I feel my jills are mentally ready to handle motherhood . . . . Kylie wrote: >Amy posted a great response in the ferret forum to my questions on how she >copes with the hazards of breeding she lists in her post. Maybe she could >post something similar here? Sure! We manage knowing that those are the risks and trying to avoid them. Some you can't so we monitor our ferrets and try to catch a problem as early as possible. >Have you managed to avoid major health problems? For the most part. We have had jills with boarderline mastitis, a few with vaginal infections (not when pregnant), and some with no or lost milk. We have had a few ignore their kits and a few eat them. No major problems like loss of the jill, absorbtions, malformations, breaches, c-sections, etc. We have been quite lucky. Very lucky. I know some hobby breeders smaller than myself that have had ever problem in the book! >Or do you just try not to get too close to your breeding jills in case the >worst happens? Of course I get close to my girls! My girls are my favorites. I get very close to all my ferrets - how could I not. I just understand the risks and breed my girls when they are in top notch shape and are healthy. I will always try to save a jill - I will put her life first above her kits. Some folks think the hobs are the best part of your breeding program - I think it is my girls. I'd be interested in hearing how other breeders cope with the risks of breeding . . . Amy Flemming [log in to unmask] [log in to unmask] Flemming Farms - Michigan, USA Breeding for Quality Ferrets American, Australian, German, and New Zealand bloodlines Come see us at http://www.geocities.com/heartland/ranch/9521 Weasel Watchers Ferret Rescue - Michigan, USA Helping Needy Weasels Come see us at http://www.geocities.com/petsburgh/zoo/2690 "For every action, there is an equal and opposite criticism" [Posted in FML issue 2745]