tonybluegoat
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- Feb 13, 2015
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Hi, I'm new. I currently have 6 does. Three kitted over the past week. These are my first litters. I started with a bit of a hodgepodge from people around where I live. The three rabbits that kitted - all first time moms - are Champagne D'Argents who I mated to my Californian. Everything seems find. My other three rabbits are Cal/NZ mixes.
I plan on weaning them at 6 weeks and immediately breeding the doe again. I've seen lots of different advice on this. I would like to get at least 5 litters per doe per year. 4 weeks to kit plus 6 weeks to wean makes 54 weeks from first breeding until the 5th litter is 10 weeks old and ready to sell. Am I doing this right?
My real question is how to feed the kits Calf-Manna. I'll have six kits in each grow-out cage. Do I just put six teaspoons in a bowl and let them go at it? I know I shouldn't put it in the feeder or they will dig for it. I want to sell all my fryers right at 10 weeks and have them as filled out as possible.
Thanks for the help. I do have some top quality breeding stock on order - 8 NZ does and a buck directly from Texas A&M. Once they get old enough to start having litters then I'll replace my mixed stock.
Great forum. I'll start reading all the threads. Hopefully I won't get too confused.
Tony
I plan on weaning them at 6 weeks and immediately breeding the doe again. I've seen lots of different advice on this. I would like to get at least 5 litters per doe per year. 4 weeks to kit plus 6 weeks to wean makes 54 weeks from first breeding until the 5th litter is 10 weeks old and ready to sell. Am I doing this right?
My real question is how to feed the kits Calf-Manna. I'll have six kits in each grow-out cage. Do I just put six teaspoons in a bowl and let them go at it? I know I shouldn't put it in the feeder or they will dig for it. I want to sell all my fryers right at 10 weeks and have them as filled out as possible.
Thanks for the help. I do have some top quality breeding stock on order - 8 NZ does and a buck directly from Texas A&M. Once they get old enough to start having litters then I'll replace my mixed stock.
Great forum. I'll start reading all the threads. Hopefully I won't get too confused.
Tony