how many bucks do you have?

SquashNut · #1 07/05/07, 10:38 AM

Looks like we'll be keeping 2 bucks and 4 does. Yes, I know that is probably too many bucks, but 1 of our mixed breed bucks has grown so fast we have to try just a few litters from him.
One question though if he doesn't work out will breeding him make his meat strong tasting?

MaggieJ · #2 07/05/07, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SquashNut

Looks like we'll be keeping 2 bucks and 4 does. Yes, I know that is probably too many bucks, but 1 of our mixed breed bucks has grown so fast we have to try just a few litters from him.
One question though if he doesn't work out will breeding him make his meat strong tasting?

It shouldn't. I've eaten both older bucks and does and they are a bit tougher and slightly stronger in flavour than fryers (not unpleasantly) but the gender does not seem to be a factor. Think slow cooker not fried rabbit and you'll be fine.

Terry W · #3 07/05/07, 12:49 PM

My ratio is out of line, as well, and when the new ones come-- well-- who knows!!!! BUT__I have to try some babies from my muttbuck, as well--he is SOOOO meaty feeling-- and if he IS a California x Blanc de Hotot, he should make for some good , fast growing babies from my Florida White!!!

SquashNut · #4 07/05/07, 01:07 PM

I am trying to figure out what back ground my x-bred buck has, but he looks like a rex with a broken pattern. The color of the patches are white/gray and brown all mixed in a salt and pepper pattern.

james dilley · #5 07/05/07, 06:08 PM

I have 2 bucks Ones A Cali. The other one is A grey buck with Red eyes. Both were FREE. Then theres the 4 Does All Red eyed one N Z W & a N Z B A spotted and A grey doe to finish the bunch. Well 3 out of 6 were free.

Bernadette · #6 07/05/07, 06:20 PM

Let me see.... inventory time!

I have Dumpling, my Mutt buck, daddy of all the fryers produced this spring. So that's one.

I have a California doe who's currently on her second litter by Dumpling, and an intermediate California buck who's just about ready to breed. So that's two.

I have Jazzman, my Satin (supposedly) angora buck. He doesn't have a girl yet, and was unsuccessful with the mutt doe that I did give him. So that's three.

I have Blue, my blue New Zealand white buck, and he's been bred to a couple of my mutt does. I do have a purebred New Zealand doe Lily that will be his main woman - soon. That makes four now, doesn't it?

I also have Black Watch, my little baby Netherland Dwarf buck. He's to be the mate to two Netherland dwarf does that a friend has. Hmm. That's five.

Does, I have my intermediate Champagne d'Argente doe Misty, Blackie and Artemesia my two bottle baby does, Annabelle and Butterscotch (have some English spot in them), Roxy (a cross coloured like a fox!). Then there's the two Netherland dwarf does and the Lionhead doe - none of which have a man!! So, five bucks, and one in the wings - I have a Netherland Dwarf buck arriving in a week or so.

So, twelve does, six bucks. And a mess of fryers, and a batch of pet bunnies. Hmm. Too many bucks? Nope. Not enough does!!!!! (where's that devil smilie when you want it?!!!

Honorine · #7 07/05/07, 08:19 PM

Keeping at least two bucks is wise, rabbits keel over from heat or fear, or escape, older bucks can go sterile in the heat, many keep a younger buck, as they seem to be able to continue producing in the heat. I have-

2 Flemish Bucks
3 Silver bucks
1 Lilac Buck
1 Florida White Buck
1 Creme d'Argent Buck

I don't have a mature mini-rex buck, I sold all mine when I thought I was going to get out of MR's, now I have all these does and no buck to breed to them.

HaysFarm · #8 07/05/07, 09:55 PM

We have

1-american fuzzy lop buck
1- mini lop buck
3- mini rex bucks

MariaAZ · #9 07/05/07, 10:48 PM

When we raised Mini Rex, we kept several bucks; probably one buck for every two or three does. We were raising them for exhibition, so we had bucks with different strong points that we needed in our breeding program.

Somerhill · #10 07/06/07, 07:56 AM

In French Angoras, I keep 2 bucks and 6 does, and normally have a few juniors around.
In Satin Angoras, I have 2 bucks and 5 does, and a few juniors.

Lisa at Somerhill
www.somerhillfarm.com

lyceum · #11 07/06/07, 08:33 AM

We used to have all of the regnized Mini Rex colors (before BEW and Otter were recognized). So 14 recognized colors and Otter. We kept at least 1 buck of each color depending on how many does of each color we had. So like 14+ bucks out of over 300 rabbits.

Carisa

thefarmerswife · #12 07/06/07, 09:33 AM

I have 1 netherland Buck and 5 holland bucks I think

turtlehead · #13 07/06/07, 09:39 AM

We have one Californian buck to go with our two NZW does.

Wildfire_Jewel · #14 07/06/07, 03:58 PM

Hmmmm well Mini Rex bucks can be shown for almost forever where as the does look like crap after a litter or 2

we have in Mini Rex:
1 Blue (son of the original herd sire)
1 broken blue
1 chocolate buck (to make lilacs)
1 REW (Cause he throws every color when bred to our blue tort)
1 BEW (to use on Cal and Giant Chin Does....the kid likes experimenting)
1 Red
1 broken squirrel (blue chinchilla)
1 castor (cause he is an AWESOME showmanship bunn)
1 Lynx

and 2 Giant Chinchilla bucks

Does we have in mini rex:
2 breeding and 1 old lady Blue
1 Broken Blue
1 Broken lilac
1 Blue Tort
1 Red
1 Castor (but we are selling her)
2 blacks (but we are selling them)
1 Opal
1 Lynx

3 Californian does
2 Giant CHinchilla does

We have a bunch of blue little ones coming up as well as several Giant Chins. The rest will all be for the kids meat pens at fair or our own freezer.

Meg Z · #15 07/06/07, 04:28 PM

Bucks...hmmmm...I'm not sure. I'd have to go read cage tags.

But see, the beauty of angoras is that you are allowed to keep extra bucks if they have good fiber! Although I will 'swap' them out for does with good fiber of similar color.

I've not had problems eating mature rabbits of either sex. I treat them like older chickens...soup/stew, not fried/grilled.

Meg

Terry W · #16 07/06/07, 04:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honorine

I don't have a mature mini-rex buck, I sold all mine when I thought I was going to get out of MR's, now I have all these does and no buck to breed to them.

I have a MR buck that will need a new home soon--- Where in PA are you?

white eagle · #17 07/06/07, 05:45 PM

Well lets see right now I have 2 bucks not sure what breed they are. Just know they are a mixed.

Soon will have 2 other bucks but they will be mini lop bucks.

Later will be purchasing a NZW Buck when my buddies rabbits has babies.

In the doe area I have 2 NZW, 1 mixed rex doe an 2 other mixed does. 1 huge mini lop doe an 5 younger mini lop does ...

Later also purchasing a pair of dutch rabbits.

XCricketX · #18 07/06/07, 05:54 PM

I have 2 NZ bucks... one is actually not white. Yes NZ's can be a different color! LOL!
... and 3 NZW does, 2 Rex does (black, and calico).

I keep the off color for those throw-offs my "pet" clients like, and still get the benefits of the meat rabbit.

There is nothing wrong with keeping an extra buck if it has the qualities you like for your goals. ^_^

Cricket

CountryDreams · #19 07/06/07, 10:29 PM

I have two bucks and seven does right now. One buck is a Californian and the other is a New Zealand. He is not white. More like a grey color.
I have two Californian does, three NZW does, one black NZ doe and one calico colored NZ doe

bluebird2o2 · #20 07/09/07, 09:31 AM

Okay, i have as many bucks as i do does but i need something too show when my does are having babies.besides i always keep a backup buck.older bucks will go sterile in the heat.i have one doe refuses too lift for the first buck i tried her with.sometimes rabbits drop dead for no apparent reason then you have nothing too breed too and cant find another buck.my dutch buck is either sterile or doesnt mate either way i dont have another and my does arent getting any younger.i bred them too a dwarf which i never breed cross breeds ,but i have been looking for a dutch buck for 6 months.i need black or blue and only found gray or choc.bluebird