Breeding Rabbits

[homesteadingnky]

I had posted this in another place but perhaps this is where I should have put it.

Just wondering if any of you have experience in getting stuborn does to breed. I have 4 does that just will not breed. They'll jump right out from under the bucks and act like their tail is glued to the bottom of the cage. I've tried everything I know to try, short of playing romantic music and lighting candles. Any useful advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

[CountryKitty]

Are you putting him in their cages? If so, try putting a doe in the male's cage.

Does are protective of the area around where they will be having their babies...some will fight viciously with a buck put in with them. If yours are still a bit young they may not be as aggressively defensive, but might be unwilling to cooperate with the 'invader'.

Also, is it possible they already mated with him and are pregnant? Maybe they just are sick and tired of his attention....


Word to the wise, if your does and buck are in a large common cage where he can get to them when they come out of the nest box to eat or drink, they may very well may mate as soon as 2 days after a litter is born. She'll wean the first litter when the second is born. (Some folks will breed them rapid-fire this way, but it can't be good for the Mamas. )

[emptycupranch]

My problem exactly. I have two bucks and two does... been trying for 4 months to get them bred! No bunnies :( I never thought breeding rabbits would be so difficult.

[otterbob]

You can force breed your doe if the buck will cooperate !

You may need to search for the technique, but simply put, you hold the the doe's rear up from the bottom by placing your hand/arm between the doe's front legs and full length of the body.

Warning !!! Warning !!! Warning !!! This can get you bit, scratched, stomped, or all three.
Been there done that. Its only done as a last resort !!!

Your problem, if the doe is not pregnant and will not take after a week or so later , is probably your doe is FAT. *Overweight doe's generally will not breed.
Most of the time you can not look at a doe and tell if she is fat. But kill and clean one and you will find layers of fat “inside” the carcase .

It is very easy to overfeed rabbits !

Otter Bob