males- how old is too old for breeding?

[michelle m]

hello all. i have a five year old brown velvet that i'm putting into my breeding program, but i wanted to know what others thought about the right age to take a male out of breeding. i wouldn't think of keeping an older female for breeding, but what about an older male?

[Vyxxin]

As long as they're healthy :) males, as a general rule, stay in breeding longer especially if they're doing good and producing nice kits. If it were a female, in a pet setting, I'd say take her out by the age of 10-12yrs. to give her a good break and "retirement"...but with a male, what do they need a break from? Enjoying themselves? :)

[HobbyGuy]

Older males will sometimes (most of the time?) slow in production, but they never have to be "retired". They'd probably be depressed if they lived their whole lives with females then weren't allowed to...

[michelle m]

Older males will sometimes (most of the time?) slow in production, but they never have to be "retired". They'd probably be depressed if they lived their whole lives with females then weren't allowed to...
i agree. he has seemed much happier since i introduced him to my tan girl. ;)

[chincolores]

Actually most males slow production and quality as they grow older and most are not adequate by 8 or 9 years old. I do however, have a 14 year old that is an exception to the rule for some reason. He used to always give me three's and four's in kits and now he's down to giving me two's in a litter. One of his offspring was a first place animal last year, so he's just making less kits and luckilly his quality still did it!! His name is "Michael" and he's a White Mosaic.

Michelle, are you talking Cougar?? If he's got good bullets, he should be OK.

[HobbyGuy]

LOL, did you just ask her to go check his bullets?? ROTFL

[chincolores]

Sure!! why not!! LMAO!!!
I just wish I could watch her get some of his bullets in a cup!!
You crack me up!! :)

[luvothechase]

basically, the answer i allways get from our local ranchers is: i retire my females when they stop throwing kits, and retire my males when they start throwing only singles/none at all. There is no firm guideline, just use common sence. the oldest female that ive heard of still in breeding was about 18.

[dondeb562]

I have a male that is 10 years old that is still in breeding. He is a extremely slow breeder, but he loves his much younger wife (only 3+years old)so I keep them together:) They have about 1 litter a year (if I'm lucky...or should I say when he gets lucky:))

[michelle m]

well he definately has a couple of bullets going on down there. i'm testing him with my tan girl to see how things go. if things don't turn out well, then i'll be looking to place him in a pet only home. he is such a doll face, i really hope things turn out well. i'd love to keep him around.
Actually most males slow production and quality as they grow older and most are not adequate by 8 or 9 years old. I do however, have a 14 year old that is an exception to the rule for some reason. He used to always give me three's and four's in kits and now he's down to giving me two's in a litter. One of his offspring was a first place animal last year, so he's just making less kits and luckilly his quality still did it!! His name is "Michael" and he's a White Mosaic.

Michelle, are you talking Cougar?? If he's got good bullets, he should be OK.