Can a 10 wk old male mate with a 6 mth old doe?

by Judy
(Boston MA)

I have them both in the same cage and was wondering if they need to be separated.

****Karen Sez****
No, 10 wks is a bit young. But you'd best find it a new cage by the time he's 12 weeks old. I doubt 12 weeks is old enough as well, but by 12 weeks animals begin to enter that uncertain prepubescent age, and one cannot be sure the exact point at which a youngster can start siring its own young. Best to simply prevent a surprise breeding by putting youngsters 12 weeks old and older in their own cages.
K