Two litters and a Question

[Wesley]

I have two litters of New Zealands. One litter is nearly 9 days old and has 9 kits. The other litter is 7 days old and has 6 kits. Both does are first time mothers yet are very attentive and I have not lost a kit out of either litter. However, the younger litter with six is larger than the older litter with 9. The older litter looks healthy just not quite as big. Should I take the one or two kits out of the litter of 9 and give to the litter of six? Or just leave them alone. Both litters look good. I figure the smaller (older) litter is not enjoying quite as much milk.

Thanks,
Wesley

 

[MaggieJ]

As long as they all have full bellies, I would probably leave them alone. There is nothing wrong with moving one or two to the second doe if you feel it would be beneficial, but I tend to interfere as little as possible. Just my style. There is no right answer - and no wrong one either.

 

[Miss M]

Maggie's right, and you should get a feel for if this is typical of that doe or not with a couple more breedings. If her kits are consistently smaller than the other doe's, you probably have less milk being produced by the one. With the first litter, it could just be because they're her first ones.

 

[Wesley]

Thanks for the help! I think I will leave them be.