Breeding by dummies

scarlet812 · #1 03/31/13, 07:46 AM

We are "go" for breeding the bunnies here...my unsexed group of mom and full size offspring produced no kits by the 35 days after separation date. The prev. owner had them all together, so we weren't sure what might happen. We've not been able to sex them since we are dummies still in handling, but I tried my best guess on pairing. We put them in a 4 x 4 dog run that has a top; I'm storing it fully assembled in the barn, so it seemed like the perfect thing for the event.

The first pair, one of which I'm 99% sure is the mom of the rest, was a bust - after a couple minutes of checking out the area and each other, they tussled and some fur flew. We got them separated quickly and they're both okay. I think they are both female after all. I feel pretty stupid now. LOL

The 2nd pair did the deed, so at least I got that right.

We could tell right away that the body language was different - the doe was flicking her tail quite a bit. Is that to give off a scent or something?

They ran around in the pen quite a bit - she was playing hard to get - and the doe literally climbed the wall of the small dog kennel more than once. THAT freaked me out, but she shimmied back down safely both times. Finally, they got the job done.

Do I need to put them together again or is one time good enough? It would be her first litter, unless somehow I've gotten the ID of the mom mixed up. There was little size difference when I got them and half looked like mom, half like dad [dad was the seller's pet of several years and they kept him]. From what I read, you get bigger litter sizes if you breed twice? Maybe a smaller litter would be better for her, though, if it's her first one.

lonelyfarmgirl · #2 03/31/13, 10:36 AM

If you actually witnessed breeding and the buck made contact, one is enough although many breeders, including me, try to breed two or three times in the same day to ensure conception. If you flip the rabbit over and look at the crotch, testicles on the bucks should be obvious beyond 3 or 4 months old. They are large and hang one on either side of the genital area.

scarlet812 · #3 03/31/13, 11:02 AM

It's the flipping part I have trouble with. LOL I'm intimidated by the little fluffytails, although dogs over 70 lbs don't phase me one bit. I'm going to practice on my weanling kits and see if I can develop some confidence.

SilverFlame819 · #4 03/31/13, 03:43 PM

If you're uneasy about flipping, just push the rabbit's head into a corner (cardboard box or whatever you have) and slide your hand under his tummy back to his hocks, then lift up so his rump is in the air, facing you. Pull his tail up with the other hand. His testicles should be pretty obvious. You can also sex them from that angle... Just push down and toward the rabbit on the top of the genital region (which will be down on the bottom, by your lower hand), and it will be fairly obvious if the rabbit has a penis or vagina. You can see about a million pictures of how it should appear if you Google image search "sexing rabbits". Good luck!

SilverFlame819 · #5 03/31/13, 03:46 PM

And after thinking about this for a few seconds...

You don't even need to SEE under the buck... If you just reach under the tail and feel, the doe will have nothing on either sides of the genital area, and the buck will have plump, almost peanut-shaped testicles that are very obvious.

You know the one pair you have is a buck and a doe... Why not compare the two, so you know what you're feeling for?

scarlet812 · #6 04/01/13, 12:06 AM

Great idea! I will try that. They've gotten really great about letting me pet them, so that is definitely worth a try.

I was eyeballing a wide, low sided old litterbox I haven't used for some time, thinking I could roll some towels to use for side bumpers and try laying a bunny on its back in that. I'm still going to have to trim nails at some point, so I've got to suck it up and do it. LOL

jolly rabbit · #7 04/01/13, 10:08 AM

I have an issue grabbing testicles! maybe it is a guy thing, guys just don't grab another guys junk INVASION of privacy! LOL, I prefer to look!

scarlet812 · #8 04/01/13, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jolly rabbit

I have an issue grabbing testicles! maybe it is a guy thing, guys just don't grab another guys junk INVASION of privacy! LOL, I prefer to look!

Um, yeah. I can understand. It will be as superficial a "feel" as I can make it, 'cuz I'm not keen on groping other species.

zephyrcreek · #9 04/01/13, 02:40 PM

I also wanted to note that does will hump other does and even bucks. It is a sign of dominance.

scarlet812 · #10 04/03/13, 12:43 AM

We had another go round tonight [different buck this time] and seemed to have success, so now we should have 4 total does potentially bred. One will be a second time mom, but the rest will be first timers.

What the heck is up with the buck and that falling off, squeaking behavior? LOL That is the funniest thing I think I've ever seen.

bassmaster17327 · #11 04/03/13, 08:17 AM

If the buck doesn not fall off then that means they did not breed, Sometimes the doe will keep her tail down and the buck will hump away but the deed hasn't happened unless he falls off

jolly rabbit · #12 04/03/13, 10:24 AM

I always find it hilarious when you get a buck that is a screamer. LOL

SilverFlame819 · #13 04/03/13, 10:41 AM

I do not keep screamers. It tends to freak a lot of the does out. I don't mind a buck who makes a squeak or two, but bucks who scream like you're killing them have to go elsewhere... Eek, who can handle listening to that?

jolly rabbit · #14 04/03/13, 12:42 PM

I haven't, had a screamer like that, my flemish buck makes a squealing sound like a pig once, falls over and grunts for 5-6 seconds all curled up in a ball.

Dead Rabbit · #15 04/04/13, 06:10 PM

i try for 3 different breedings. twice in one evening, and once the following morning. this yr, im trying something different, once, then once again, an hr later and then once the following morning.

some does will only breed once and thats it. these generally have smaller litter numbers.

coffeekittie · #16 04/04/13, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scarlet812

What the heck is up with the buck and that falling off, squeaking behavior? LOL That is the funniest thing I think I've ever seen.

I know how you feel! The first time I witnessed a breeding, I almost died laughing! I had no idea that the bucks did that grunting/squeaking thing, or that they rolled off their partner all curled up in a ball and still, like (oops, edit now!!!) ahem. We'll just say it's apparently a guy thing.