Youngest breeding age for does and bucks

Bucks technically as soon as they're able (five weeks or so), although a lot of bucks won't know what they're doing until they hit about eight weeks.

Does usually 12 weeks, but some varieties like reds and fawns are better off breeding before they get fat, so about 10 weeks. Other small does like Dutch are best off waiting until they're 14 weeks old.

Sarah xxx

Ok thank you, I've been told 7-8 weeks but I thought that couldn't be right xxx

You're welcome, and you were right; that's far too young!

Sarah xxx

it was suggested to me by abother breeder to breed at 7 - 8 weeks old??? now im confused!!!

No need to be confused, that is simply too young They're still growing themselves until about 12 weeks.

Sarah xxx

I bred from bucks at 8 weeks before... but with does, you get the best offspring from a mum that is fully grown, and mice reach most of thier adult size when they are 12 weeks old.
I know someone who doesn't breed his large pale self's until they 16 weeks old.

I've had accidental litters off does who were impregnated at 7 to 8 weeks. It worked out 'okay' half the time, meaning the babies were reasonably healthy. It's not a good thing, and I'd never do it on purpose.

I have bred does at about 9 1/2 weeks, but they were large enough, in my estimation, to carry and deliver healthy babies, and that's the way it worked out. Some types of meeces are better bred young, like the ones that tend to become obese. In my case I did it because of reduced stock from the accident. Sonata was big enough at 9 1/2 weeks, and she had a litter of really large healthy babies at about 12 1/2 weeks, at which point she was larger, overall, than when she was placed with the buck.

i waite untill my girls are fully grown usualy around 14weeks, males i dont have a set time, after all its not them that has to carry and look after the babies, just have a few moments of fun

WillowDragon said:

I bred from bucks at 8 weeks before... but with does, you get the best offspring from a mum that is fully grown, and mice reach most of thier adult size when they are 12 weeks old.
I know someone who doesn't breed his large pale self's until they 16 weeks old.

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Who's that then?

Loganberry said:

WillowDragon said:

I bred from bucks at 8 weeks before... but with does, you get the best offspring from a mum that is fully grown, and mice reach most of thier adult size when they are 12 weeks old.
I know someone who doesn't breed his large pale self's until they 16 weeks old.

Click to expand...

Who's that then?

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Thats what Nigel @ Rollesby told me