Author Stacey Sain
of Dry Fork Chins
Unexpected Delivery
On February 12, 2005 I woke up to the most unexpected thing. One of my females had given birth to two standard gray kits. I was very happy but at the same time very concerned. We had been in the process of moving and I had been very busy with work and getting things packed that I never dreamed something like this could happen.
Merlin had given birth in May 2004 to two standard gray kits. One male and one female. I have left kits with their mother until they were at least 5-6 months old before, but now I know better. When the kits got old enough I usually separate the male kit from mom. But this time I did not separate them soon enough. Her son fathered the litter that she delivered in February. I know that males mature sexually faster then the females but I had no clue that a son would get his mother pregnant at less than 5 months of age.
Merlin had delivered two standard kits fathered by her son, their brother. The male kit in the new litter weighed in at 51 grams and the female weighed in at 32 grams. I knew right a way that the female had a fight on her hands. I started hand feeding her to give her a chance at survival but she left us at the age of 3 days old. I was heart broken because I felt like it was my fault. If only I had separated the male kit from the mother earlier then we wouldn’t be going through this now. The male kit survived and is doing fine. I don't know if the son fathering the two kits caused the female kit not to make it or not. Some say yes and others say no, but I will not take that chance again.
I have always left kits with their mothers and never had this happen before. I have learned a very valuable lesson from this though. Now, as soon as the male kits are 2 months (8 or 9 weeks) old and eating and drinking on their own they leave their mother!
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