first time breeding?

Oakshire_Farm · #1 02/27/12, 07:44 PM

This is my first time breeding and the does..... and the bucks......... so I have no idea what to expect?

The Doe - 8 month Cali doe
The Buck - 5 1/2 month Cali buck

Today I thought I will give them a go and see what happened. I set up a dog X-pen in the barn and put them together. After watching them for about 2 hours....... nothing has happened.

The doe wags her tail, the buck nuzzles the back of her neck.... everything looks promising, but they never got the "deed" done.

I have left them together for the night, is he to young?

lonelyfarmgirl · #2 02/27/12, 09:58 PM

I would say he is too young. Leaving them together for the night only leaves it to chance. You have no way of knowing if he did the job. I would wait 6 weeks and try again.

akane · #3 02/27/12, 10:20 PM

The buck is young and clueless. It will take him awhile. I have left first time bucks and experienced laid back does in large pens for a week. They get it by then but the due date is questionable and it is not standard practice because a doe who gets annoyed with a buck may well castrate or outright kill him. You could wait another 2-4weeks until he matures more or just keep putting them together every day while you do chores until he gets the idea. The doe will probably start humping him soon if she's that ready and then the bucks either get the concept or get squashed and nipped for being idiots.

Willowynd · #4 02/28/12, 11:56 PM

LOL Akane!

"The doe will probably start humping him soon if she's that ready and then the bucks either get the concept or get squashed and nipped for being idiots. "

Oakshire_Farm · #5 02/29/12, 11:36 AM

I left them together for 24 hours, the next morning they both were sitting side by side looking pretty satisfied. How long before I should try them together again to see if he got it figured out???

akane · #6 02/29/12, 11:44 AM

If the doe was really receptive and suddenly isn't when you try again even just a couple days later then she might be bred. Leaving them together unsupervised you mostly just have to wait out a month and see if it happened.

Oakshire_Farm · #7 02/29/12, 03:27 PM

thanks next question.....

I took both the buck and doe out of their cages and put them together in a big X-pen, so they would have more room. I just read somewhere that it is best to put the doe into the buck's cage?

lonelyfarmgirl · #8 02/29/12, 07:06 PM

ALWAYS. Does are territorial. You do not invade a does cage with a buck. She visits him and leaves.

Barnhouse · #9 03/03/12, 08:37 AM

Ok, here I am brand new to all things rabbit.
I finally have a place with lots of ground and a small barn so I'd like to find out all I can about rabbits before I hop in with both feet.

I'm not as much in it to raise them for meat (at least not yet) as I am for enjoyment.
I am particularly interested in angoras although nothing is written in stone.

So as a newbie rabbit raiser, where do I begin?
Thanks in advance.

mysticklobo · #10 03/03/12, 11:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barnhouse

I am particularly interested in angoras although nothing is written in stone.

So as a newbie rabbit raiser, where do I begin?
Thanks in advance.

I personally would advise AGAINST starting with angoras if you have never had rabbits. They are one of the most challenging breeds and take a lot more work.

Barnhouse · #11 03/03/12, 02:06 PM

Can you tell me more?
I am currently able to spend a good deal of time with them, but you think it would still be a bad choice?

What breed(s) do you prefer and why.

Thanks again.

lonelyfarmgirl · #12 03/03/12, 03:07 PM

care of their hair takes alot of time and effort and you really need to find someone who already has them to show you how to take care of their hair propery. Also, because of their hair they have nutritional needs that are above and beyond a regular rabbit.
its not that they are really difficult per say, but rabbits are fragile. what betty is getting at, is if you have never had a rabbit before, it would be better to make your trivial beginner mistakes, which could very well result in death, on a rabbit that requires NO extra or special care, that cost you very little to purchase. angoras are expensive, comparatively.

if you have never ever had a rabbit at all, it might be best to pick something up on craigslist for very little money to practice taking care of for a while. when you feel you have the basics and are ready to move up to something more expensive, specific, difficult, etc.. then eat the mutt and buy something better.
if after reading this you are still DYING for an angora, why don't you try a jersey woolie? these are smaller rabbits with half length wool. they are known as having easy care hair. their hair typically isnt used for spinning, but it would be an cheap and easy way to get your feet wet with a hair breed.
jersey woolies can generally be found fairly cheap if you ask around.

Barnhouse · #13 03/03/12, 03:11 PM

Ok, that makes sense.
I want to ask more questions, but since I just found out I can open a thread now, I will ask them there.
Thank you, appreciate the advice.

mysticklobo · #14 03/03/12, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lonelyfarmgirl

if after reading this you are still DYING for an angora, why don't you try a jersey woolie? these are smaller rabbits with half length wool. they are known as having easy care hair. their hair typically isnt used for spinning, but it would be an cheap and easy way to get your feet wet with a hair breed.
jersey woolies can generally be found fairly cheap if you ask around.

I spin my Jersey Wooly fiber and have friends who do as well. Their coats are getting to be as nice as some angoras for spinning fiber. Yes, they are a WHOLE lot easier to take care of than a angora, that is why we have more of them than angoras right now.