2 yr female @ 1400g off feed. Breed now? Wait untill spring?

I've got a 2 yr old female pushing 1400 grams that has recently gone off feed about 3 weeks ago. What do you guys think, start breeding her now? ... or wait till spring to see if she'll start eating again and put on some more weight?

I asked the same question last year about my normal. I tried to breed her but she didn't produce. Still, I'd say go for it. If she can't produce eggs yet she just wont. The only downside to doing it now would be that the clutch would probably be small and she'll be stuck in the 1000-gram range for a while.

If you feel comfortable about breeding her (size and age wise) just do it, she could very well be off feed because she wants to breed and might very well go back on food after a few pairings.

Thanks for the input!

So I put a male with her last night and they are now copulating.

This leads me to another question:

Will young females who are not ready still copulate but just not produce, or do they refuse copulation altogether if they are not ready?


Thanks!

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ChadOwens

Thanks for the input!

So I put a male with her last night and they are now copulating.

This leads me to another question:

Will young females who are not ready still copulate but just not produce, or do they refuse copulation altogether if they are not ready?


Thanks!

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i was thinking the same thing

I would

2 years old is not a young female in my books.

Most females are ready by 2 years of age and some sooner. If shes ready shell breed if not she will push male away till she is ready.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by ChadOwens

This leads me to another question:

Will young females who are not ready still copulate but just not produce, or do they refuse copulation altogether if they are not ready?


Thanks!

---

They may still copulate even if they aren't going to produce. I've had small-ish girls with no follicles lock up a few times.

I would breed her! Once you start pairing her with a male, she will probaly start eating and will gain 200-300 grams over the breeding season. If she doesn't produce then you know she will be ready for next year! Good luck!

Breed her! See if she takes a liking to your male or males.
I got my lesser girl thats been sitting at 1200 for half a year breeding right now.
She wouldnt eat b4 then I put the male in and she started to get the picture. Took a week but she started eating again. Got her close to 1300 but she is breeding. But sad to tell you she stop'd eating 3 weeks ago.