Breeding Basics
So you want to breed your doe, but how? What do you need? What
should you know… well keep reading and find out!
First you need to see if your doe is ready. Rabbits don't have a
regular heat cycle. Other mammals usually go into heat just two or
three times a year, but a mature female rabbit can go into heat
almost every time she's with a male. Rabbits are what's known as
"induced ovulators," which refers to the fact that a doe will
ovulate after being mounted by a buck. This means that it's possible
for a doe to become pregnant again within 24 hours of giving birth.
To tell if your doe is ready you'll need to look at her vent
area. If it is a dark pink to red color she's ready to breed.
Always take the doe to the bucks' cage - never the other way
around. The doe may become protective of her territory and attack
the buck or the buck may be more interested in the new surroundings
and not pay any attention to the doe. Either way - the job won't get
done.
Here are the steps of a successful mating.:
- Put the doe in the buck's cage
- The buck will mount the doe and begin to breed her.
- When doe is ready to accept the buck, she will raise her hind
end and lift her tail.
- When the actual mating has occurred, the buck will give a
little scream, or grunt and fall off of the doe.
You should let this occur about 2-4 times. Repeat this process
6-12 hours later to ensure a good breed and to possibly increase the
litter size. Why? Rabbits are induced ovulators, meaning they won't
ovulate until stimulated to do so. Usually ovulation will occur 8-10
hours after being stimulated (brought on by breeding). By
re-breeding in this time frame, you're increasing your chances of
not only the doe getting pregnant but you'll usually get a larger
litter.
Now sometimes a doe is in such a heat that she is very aggressive.
She may chase the buck around the cage or even try to mount him. Let
this go - it's just nature taking control. If she gets too
aggressive, she may frighten the buck or be so aggressive he can't
"do his job". If this is the case, you may need to restrain her. But
more often times than not, he'll be able to breed her with no
problems.
28 Days after the doe has been breed you will need to put in a
kindling box... so MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!
Article written by Mindy Borer
Rabbit Registrar #RR473
www.TranquilAcresRabbitry.com
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