I have limited experience of breeding, having only had four queens. Two are now retired and they were retired at different ages - one at age six having had just three litters and one at age three having tried but not succeeding in producing any kittens.

Currently I have two queens who are active - the older is four and the younger (her daughter) is just starting out in life, having reached the grand old age of 2 years this January.

Suggest you check on the queen's condition and watch to see how easily she copes with each litter.

As my older queen is scheduled to have her fifth litter at some point in the later stages of this year, I shall watch her to see how she does. If she struggles, I may let her just raise the litter and then spay her - she will by then be five years old. However, if she copes as easily as she did with her last litter, then it is possible she may have another litter and again, I shall watch her closely to see how she fares. I think I shall spay her when she is six whatever happens as I prefer to keep her with me in a long healthy retirement rather than keep on making her have litters. My queens are first and foremost, my little girls, my pets.

Kind regards

Rita