Breeding Rabbits

[homesteadingnky]

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 tired everything I know to try short of playing romantic music and lighting candles. Any useful advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

[clarkshomestead]

my doe was like that too. i bought her at 6 months old and had to leave her with the buck over night the first two times i bred her. you know let him wear her down a bit. but I just bred her again for the third time and she arched her back like a pro. He hit it twice in 10 mins. you can read about my trials and tribulations here on my rabbit log page http://www.freewebs.com/clarkshomestead/

[homesteadingnky]

I've left them in for weeks, then put them up for a day and back in for another week. I've swapped bucks. I even tried to hold them but the buck didn't like that to much. Come to think of it, neither did the doe. All my bucks are fairly young, less than 2 yrs old. I've wondered if that might have something to do with it. My next step is to buy an experienced older buck and a doe that is bred (not her first litter). Anyway, I appreciate the response and I'll check out your site.

Homesteading Dad 'n KY

[machinemaker]

are you putting the does into the buck's hutch? Does are territorial or protective on their hutch. sometimes if you take the doe out of her hutch for a night and put a buck in it to spread his scent, then return the doe after he is back in his hutch, she will be a little more aroused, when you take her to his hutch.
kent

[AlchemyAcres]

4 does that will not breed ?? :o

Are you overfeeding them?
Are they fat?

Fat does won't easily breed.

~Martin :)

[LeatherneckPA]

Martin, you are finally giving me a taste of my own medicine. My DW of 26 years has always referred to me as her "walking encyclopedia". It's kind of a game she plays with the girls at the bank. They call me with the most outlandish questions they can come up with and I give the answer or definition. Then they hang-up and all turn to each other and say "How the heck does he know this stuff!?!?"

Which is often what I find myself saying after reading one of your posts, like "fat does won't breed well". Where does one learn stuff like that. You are amazing.

[AlchemyAcres]

Where does one learn stuff like that.

Years of living in the trenches and making every possible mistake at least once or twice.
;)

~Martin

[homesteadingnky]

It's true that if rabbits are overweight that tend not to breed well. But they are not overweight at all. I carefully measure what I feed them and pet them as I feed them to get a better feel for this. They are in great shape.

I always take the doe to the bucks cage and I have tried the swapping cages trick too. Still nothing happens.

A couple of the does are sisters and a friend that I got them from told me that their mother was the same way the first time he breed her and he finally had to hold her while the buck took care of business and after that she did fine.

I've read every book about raising rabbits that I can get my hands on and searched the internet over for ideas. So far nothing has worked.

I guess I'll try again to hold the doe and see what happens. The problem is the bucks try to bite at my hands. Good thing I have leather gloves.

I appreciate the replies. Keep them coming maybe there's something that I haven't tried. The only other thing I've seen that might work is someone said that they had a doe like that and put her in with a fairly young buck and she did the same thing. Finally she tried an older more experinced buck and with in 30 seconds she was bred. I don't have an older more experienced buck but if holding them doesn't work I guess that's plan B.

Thanks,

Homesteading Dad n KY

[Southern_Gent]

About the only other thing I could suggest is to try teasing the doe into being receptive. I'm not sure how your cages are set up, but if they're side by side, place the doe in the cage next to the buck. He'll probably soak her down with urine, but usually after a couple of days of being next to the buck, she'll be more receptive of him.

However, if after all your efforts you're still having trouble getting these does to breed, your best option may be to put them in the freezer and purchase other does. No sense in feeding livestock that won't perform the duties that they're supposed to do.

[homesteadingnky]

Got any good recipes? :o lol!

[Southern_Gent]

Indeed I do. Here's a simple one. Cut the rabbit into manageable pieces, as you would a whole chicken, and soak those pieces over night in butter milk. Refrigerate during this process, of course. Then bar-b-que the meat, using your favorite sauce. ;D

[machinemaker]

How about a good animal psychologist to help them deal with any gender issues or early nest box trauma. And if you wait a while I think that its covered under the Clinton health care plan.
kent

[06BlueRam]

maybe they need better mood music ! ;D

[clarkshomestead]

.. but the buck mounts, or tries right away?

[clarkshomestead]

it seems to me to be a 12 second affair?

[homesteadingnky]

The bucks are instantly interested and tries to mount. But the does tail is glued to the bottom of the cage and if they ever get close she'll (They will) jump right out from under the buck and the buck will do a back flip. It would be hillarious if I wasn't wanting some babies.

I haven't had time to fool with them much lately but I tried repeatedly a while back and they are all that way. ??? Beats me! :-[

[homesteadingnky]

Buck #1 attacked doe #3... Doe #3 missing eye and face, neck, and back are all bleeding badly.... Buck #1 is the same buck that sprayed me 3 times this past fall..... Buck #1 in frig. tonight .... will be in oven tomorrow. Doe #3 unfortunately also had to be killed but is buried in the back yard. Call me soft. I felt sorry for it.

[WileyCoyote]

I'm sorry, Homesteading. :'(

[Deberosa]

Wow, didn't know rabbits could be so vicious! Hopefully a new batch will work out better. I know when they do decide to produce you will have more than enough!

When I moved in here my neighbor had turned loose his 4 rabbits. 6 months later there were over a hundred rabbits hopping all over my place and eating everything!!! I got rid of all of them but a black and white male who hung around the yard for almost a year but then disappeared.

[WileyCoyote]

I know rabbits can be vicious; my best friend growing up had a big white one that she carried with her in her bike basket. If you put your hand on either her or the bike, the huge 12 pound rabbit would bite you, jump on you and use his powerful back legs to make deep scratches. Of course if he knew you, he would cuddle right down in your arms and nuzzle like a cat. Buns have personalities just like every other animal. Breeding for food or pelts might cause breeders to pay less attention to their mental and social makeups than to weight and fat vs meat quality.

[homesteadingnky]

Buck #1 was delicious! Tasted just like chicken!
Sweet revenge! ;)