Hey guys, I really hope this helps all! I get asked this question a lot of time so I just thought why not share a blog with you guys and maybe this would better help all you guys! Instead of talking with everyone individually I could just make one big blog. So, if you have questions or don’t understand this blog shoot me a pm or comment on this post. We can set up a time to chat and better help assist you!
The HUGE QUESTION of Why want my bunny breed?
Well, I’m going to first start off saying How old is your bunny? What Breed?
These are 2 MAIN THINGS you need to ask yourself.. If your bunny is 6 months, but a Californian he might not be ready to breed until 8-9 months they are a bigger breed they take longer to fully mature out. If your bunny is 5 months, but a Holland Lop well you may have a fully mature buck. However even though he is fully dropped you still need to wait till at least 7 months to breed him!
Lots of people think when a Bunny is 6 months they should be able to breed and well that's what the internet tells us a lot of times, but this isn’t the case! All bunnies are different and All breeds are different, small bunny breeds mature quicker and bigger bunny breeds mature slower. For example my Holland Lop Buck Bear fully dropped at 5 ½ months old, he is now about 9 months old and is just now being introduced to breeding our Does. Another Example: My Californian Buck Whiskey didn’t mature until 9 months old and is now about 1 yr old and being introduced to our Doe!
In this topic I’m also going to discuss why some does may not breed and the breeding age we start our does off in!
So, with Does.. Lots of people also experience problems with not being able to get the does breed!
Well, first things first! How old is your doe? Is the weather warm or cool? Are they in Heat?
A big roll in your does is AGE!! We like to breed our does at 8 months or older if they are a larger breed! This way they are more mature and almost out of the junior stages.
SECOND… This seems to be the most biggest thing people don’t understand! Your Doe needs to be Purple down there before breeding this means she's IN HEAT, if she isn’t purple she's not ready and if she’s bright pink/ dark pink she needs Sunshine and AVC (Apple Cider Vinegar) to help her come in. And if that don’t help load her up and take her around the block for a ride. That will surely work and if not well sell her because nothing is going to work!!
Last, BUT NOT LEAST!! Weather plays a big role when it's in your warmer months June, July, and August nothing of ours gets bred… Its too hot that's when we have time to focus on getting our Keepers from litters up in gear and grow them out. We mostly focus on breeding through Fall-Spring and then we stop. The last litters we typically have is in May!!
I would also like to put for new breeders! Please don’t ever put your doe in your bucks pen and LEAVE HER, that is the worst mistake you could ever make. Why? Well because your doe is going to get tired of the buck after the knot has been tied twice already(your buck is either going to squeak and fall off or just fall off). Get your doe out after 2 times of your buck falling off if not your Doe will Fix your buck and he will either have to be put down or be a pet! Also, put your Doe in the bucks cage taking out feed bowl or water bowls. Don’t put your Bucks in the doe pens!
Another Tip for new breeders or our other clients- Your doe should be bred before 1 yr old.. Why? Because her pelvic bone will fuse together and she will end up passing away before giving birth to kits.
I wanted to make this blog to help future Bunny Breeders and some of our clients in need of information that the internet may not be able to provide! If you have questions shoot me a message and I can help you better understand this Blog of maybe answer any other question you may have. Thanks Hope's Rabbitry
Comments