When do bunnies start mating

Viable sperm can persist post-castration, so it is prudent to keep the buck separate from the doe for 4 to 6 weeks to be safe. Uterine adenocarcinoma is the most common neoplasia of the domestic rabbit Varga , Klaphake , Vinci , Walter Age is considered the most important risk factor for this slowly developing tumor, and the incidence of disease is highest in middle aged to older rabbits Klaphake , Saito Early clinical signs of uterine adenocarcinoma can include subtle, non-specific signs of illness such as anorexia, and loss of body condition.

Infertility, vaginal discharge, and hematuria can also be observed Fig 4. Pale mucous membranes will develop with persistent or heavy hemorrhage Varga , Walter As disease advances, additional findings can include gastrointestinal stasis , swollen, painful mammary glands, and abdominal swelling. Multiple masses may be palpable cranial to the urinary bladder on physical exam.

Does are sometimes presented for dyspnea secondary to pulmonary metastases or excessive uterine enlargement Varga Figure 4. Hemometra due to adenocarcinoma in a doe. Note the duplex uterus. Photo credit: Uwe Gille via Wikimedia Commons. Uterine neoplasia is best managed through prevention. Does not intended for breeding should be spayed early. The owners of intact females should be educated on the early signs of disease, and instructed to present the doe regularly for physical examination Klaphake As the mature corpus luteum CL secretes progesterone, enlargement of the uterus and mammary glands is most pronounced during the first 10 days.

By Day 16, organs begin to involute. The CL begins to degenerate after Day Competition in newborn rabbits for thermally advantageous positions in the litter huddle is associated with individual differences in brown fat metabolism.

Physiol Behav , Bays TB. Behavior of small mammals. Louis: Elsevier Saunders; Rabbit behavior. Louis: WB Saunders; Pollock C. Rabbit Reproduction Basics. May 15, LafeberVet website. Login Register Home. The doe is brought to the buck when breeding rabbits. Rabbits have a relatively short gestation period. Rabbit milk is extremely rich. Weanling rabbits are vulnerable to illness. Before you start mating a rabbit, be sure to weigh them. Then, two weeks later, weigh the female rabbit again.

If she is pregnant, she will be heavier than before. They will be able to perform an ultrasound for accurate information. The gestation period for a rabbit is 31 to 33 days. This is both a short gestation time and a short window of opportunity for a litter to be born. Count your days and do not lose track. If a rabbit goes longer than 33 days, a few things could be happening.

First, check to make sure she really is pregnant as it could have been a false diagnosis. Second, something could have happened to the litter in utero. If it has been more than 33 days, bring your rabbit to the vet.

They will be able to perform an ultrasound to see what is happening. They might also try to induce your rabbit. The longer it takes for baby rabbits to be born, the greater the risk of complications. Between mating and delivery, you really only have a month to prepare. Make sure your rabbit is properly cared for. Give her extra food to eat as she has a lot of work to do. Fresh, clean water is also important. Extra alfalfa hay will provide the necessary nutrients she needs. Make sure your rabbit has a large enough space for her to give birth in.

This is called a nest box. It should have fresh, clean hay in it. Keep your interactions to a minimum and provide plenty of fresh food for your rabbit as she will be hungry producing enough milk for everyone. You can expect between 1 to 14 new rabbits per litter. The average, however, is 6. If the litter is particularly large, you can also expect, unfortunately, that not all will make it, do to feeding restrictions. Baby rabbits will need to stay with their mothers for at least 8 weeks.

At 6 weeks, they will be weaned, but until 8 weeks they will continue to take nourishment from their mother. This comes in the form of cecotropes, which disgusting as it sounds, is actually poop.

The soft feces are rich in nutrients and have everything a little rabbit needs to grow and develop. After 8 weeks you can start introducing rabbit food until they are fully weaned , from both milk and cecotropes.

This is also the time that you can start selling your rabbits. Do not sell any rabbits until they are fully weaned. If done too early they will not have a proper immune system for survival. Selling rabbits is all about finding the right market. Current rabbit trends include those that are easily domesticated, sociable, and just downright cute.

Some of the most popular rabbit breeds are:. The cost of a rabbit varies greatly. The rarer the breed is, and the more in-demand it is, the higher the price you can expect. While this might seem like a small profit, given all the costs, remember that you will be selling the entire litter. So, be sure to multiply your figure by an average of 6 rabbits to project your true profits.

The hardest part of this whole process might just be how to actually sell your rabbits. Online is your best bet. Look for livestock groups or pet owner groups to share your details. You can also try to establish a relationship with a pet store, or at least try to be allowed to post your information in the store.

The trick is to target as many people as possible. If you can, have interest even before a litter is born. Even if you are able to charge top dollar for your rabbits, you still need to factor into the costs. Just as you will eventually want to sell a rabbit, you will need to first purchase your rabbits. You might already have one or two, which is great. Thankfully, this will be just a one-off cost. Rabbits need to eat. Want to learn what to do if you suspect your rabbit of being pregnant?

Great article, very informative. Thanks for composing. Very helpful and timely might I add. Join us for a much anticipated return to the Lone Star State! Earlybird ticket discounts are now available online.

You'll find tips for slashing heating bills, growing fresh, natural produce at home, and more. That's why we want you to save money and trees by subscribing through our earth-friendly automatic renewal savings plan. When to Start Breeding Rabbits Wait to start breeding rabbits until your does are at an appropriate age, but be cognizant that complications can arise if you wait too long for your does to have their first litter.

When breeding rabbits, put the doe in the buck's cage, never the other way around, as does are territorial in nature and may injure or kill the buck. Cover courtesy Storey Publishing. Continue Reading. Is the Time Right? When do female rabbits come into heat? At what age can a doe get pregnant? Originally Published: November Share your thoughts. Related Content. Grow A Living Wall. Add to cart. Young does may kill and eat their young for a number of reasons, including nervousness, neglect failure to nurse , and severe cold.

Dogs or predators entering a rabbitry often cause nervous does to kill and eat the young. Cannibalism of the dead young occurs as a natural nest-cleaning instinct. If all management practices are proper and the doe kills 2 litters in a row, she should not be used for breeding. Also see professional content regarding management of rabbits Management of Rabbits Management of rabbits for meat, fur, or wool production is quite different from maintenance of a pet or house rabbit.

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