Early spaying
This year, I decided to go against my vet’s express wishes and get two of my kittens spayed early. One of them, Maverick had managed to go into heat before reaching her 4 month birthday! Since there was still one intact male in my bunch, I did not wish for any surprise litters. So I took both kittens to another vet to get them spayed and then took the older male in to be neutered at the same time.
Now, months later, I watch Maverick come and go out of a heat cycle that just shouldn’t be here. She suckles Oliver whenever she gets needy, and allows Matuse that is neutered to mount her. Mercedes is suddenly very needy and she will chase your hand if you dare to stop petting her. These are puzzling traits that none of my other cats have, and leads me to believe that Ben is right and it is best to wait until the kitten reaches 6 months old. That is to say that the person who is caring for the kittens keeps them inside, away from any other intact male and takes them in promptly at 6 months even if NO heat cycle has happened.