I could use some Newbie advise.

Shade26000 · #1 01/09/08, 04:23 PM

How do I know when to put my does with my buck? It seems like every time I try the doe beats up on the buck. Is this common? Any advise is gladly welcome. I'm new to rabbit breeding so I know nothing....

MaggieJ · #2 01/09/08, 05:04 PM

Are you putting the doe in the buck's cage or the other way around? Does are very territorial and if you try to put a buck in with them, they often will beat him up. If it is happening when the doe is put in the buck's cage, then it's likely she isn't ready.

Try flipping her over and examining her genitals. If her vulva is pale pink or white, don't waste your time. If she is bright pink, red or purplish, chances are she will be receptive.

Occasionally people report that they have a doe who just doesn't like a certain buck but will breed with a different one. If you have two bucks, try her with the second one even if that is not your preference. I would think this is an especially good strategy where the doe just isn't accustomed to breeding. She may be afraid or nervous of the buck's "attentions". If she is less than six months old, you may be wise to give her another month or so and then try again.

In the meantime, there are some things you can try. Placing their cages side by side so they can get acquainted through the wire sometimes helps. Once they are buds, the doe is more likely to accept the buck.

Another trick is to put the doe in the buck's cage and the buck in the doe's for a day or so. Then bring the doe to the buck. By this time they are acquainted with the other's scent and should be more more willing. After breeding, remove the buck to his original cage.

If you are marking time before trying again, try top-dressing their food with a teaspoon or so of wheat germ daily. Add apple cider vinegar to their water at a rate of 1 - 2 Tablespoons per gallon. Certain herbs are supposed to help too... parsley is one and the others were mentioned recently in another thread.

Oh, one other thing. Are you absolutely certain you have a doe and a buck? It is not uncommon for rabbits to be difficult to sex... there have been several threads about this in the past few months.

Hope this is of some help. No doubt there are things I missed... but I'm out of time right now.

Beaniemom · #3 01/09/08, 10:40 PM

Make sure they have plenty of lighting too, they need like 12 hours I think it was to breed? In the winter they don't get as much light so you may want to use artificial lighting,

white eagle · #4 01/10/08, 06:07 AM

Lighting should not be a problem as where your located. Here we have the same amount of lightning an our rabbits are breeding good. Just make sure your doe is ready for the deed to be done if not she will run from the buck or attack him which you do not need.

Here is a tell tell sign your doe is ready to be bred.
Look at your does genitals. If she is ready to be bred she will be swollen and dark red or purplish in color when ready to breed. When you put the doe in the cage an she lift her rear up for the buck he will mount her. If your doe is not ready to be bred she will be a white in her genitals to a very pale pink.

Just remember never leave the doe alone in with the buck when your not your not watching. That's a NO

Also since your new to raising rabbits an etc. You need to research on the internet as much as you can an read books. One really good book is A Guide To Raising Rabbits and Barn Yard in your Back Yard. There are many other books out there to order too. They will help you understand how to raise an care for your rabbits an etc..

Also here is a link on breeding rabbits.
http://www.mybunnyfarm.com/breeding/

GL

Ltl Ole Me · #5 01/10/08, 09:39 AM

My thoughts when reading through this thread. Are you sure she's not breed already. Does that are already breed can be aggressive and uncooperative. And they are induced ovulators so a doe that has been with another female "riding" each other can cause her to think she is pregnant. If you have had her rooming with another female, you will need to seperate them. It will then take her about 18-19 days before she will be convienced she's not pregnant. I've had some that have even built the nest and went through the process as if she was going to kindle.

Shade26000 · #6 01/10/08, 08:46 PM

Ok, now let me ask. How often do you check to see when your doe is ready? I'm thinking she's just not ready and now I just have to figure out when she is.
Thanks for all the advise guys and gals!!!! Advise is always appreciated!