Hello, Willow's Mom... I also have a 29-year-old daughter named "Willow." Small world, eh? Now, back to the matter at hand (e.g., breeding your non-receptive lop-earred does).
Do you know how to tell when a doe is receptive by looking at the color of her vulva? Simply turn her over as if you are sexing her and check the color of the protrusion. White to light pink = non-receptive. Bright pink to red to dark red and even purple will mean she's receptive. The darker the color, the more receptive she will be. No sense in wasting your time if she's not receptive. Check again in a few days.
Rabbits are "stimulated ovulators," which means that she won't produce the eggs to be fertilized until she is "stimulated." The mounting behavior of the buck is enough to do this. Try breeding three days in a row and see if that helps. Or, you can place her in a cage between two bucks for a week. The sight and smell of the bucks will be enough to also stimulate her to want to breed. Pet people wanting to breed a doe will often take the doe for a car ride! Yes, you read that right... the "vibration" of the vehicle simulates the "breeding activity" and will stimulate the doe.
The age of the does usually matters only in the area of conception... an "over-the-hill" doe will still breed... but not conceive. Rabbits are allotted only a certain number of eggs for their lifetime (varies with each doe, so there's no set maximum).
Try breeding either during early morning or early evening hours. Rabbits are "crepuscular" animals, meaning they are most active during the dawn and twilight hours. Do not try to breed at feeding time... their minds will be on the food, instead. Doesn't bother the bucks, but it will interfere with the females.
Try these tips and let us know if you succeed.
Pat Lamar
President
Professional Rabbit Meat Association
http://www.prma.org/
