Have a general question about new does

[weissangst]

I am going to have to replace one doe. She has been bred multiple times, and is just not producing. She has had litters before, but I know both bucks are fertile (they both have multiple litters currently out there) She is (or was?) fertile. I bred her every 2-4 days for 10 days (2 times) and nothing. This is her last chance (She is due in 12 days) for me.

however, I have to replace her, as I have a very small rabbitry and Can not long survive with only 3 active does (I can have 3, but will always have a 4th, just in case).


So, as I looked at my 3 does who all have litters, and I looked back on their records, Im curious which one to keep a daughter from to replace.

These are all NZWs btw. All does are fed daily wheatgrass, hay and pellets. They get about 8 ounces a day of pellets usually, and their wheatgrass intake is rather substantial, and free fed good clover hay.

Doe 1 Big mama 13.5 pounds, healthy girl used to give bigger litters (9 or more) but last two were only 6 She might be fading (about 3 years old) but I figure her DNA is still good. No still-borns, no problems from her, other than she demands a nest box 10 days before the kids come. Her personality is amazing, and she is a good wheatgrass eater but, don't like other greens (turnip greens she hates) Easy to breed

Doe 2 SuperStar Rookie she is about 7 months old now First litter. Her parents are both BIG BIG rabbits, from good lines She is currently at 10 pounds and change. Her first litter was 6 strong, no dead. She did everything PERFECTLY and her babies are all healthy and happy. Her mom was a big producer, always 9 plus. Easy to breed

Doe 3. she is very average-sized 10 pounds However, she has HUGE litters No less than 10 every single time. 2 didn't make it this time, but, she usually brings at least 8 to market, and has put 12 into the freezer. She is sweeeeeeeet, and really easy to handle, but difficult to breed I waste a lot of time trying to breed her to the boys, and she just hates lifting.

My bucks are all unrelated to these girls, so its a non-issue.

I want the 'size' but litter size is also important. IM leaning towards keeping one of Superstar rookies daughters, as they seem to be a little higher than average on weight gains right now, compared to the others.

So, what traits are passed from mother to daughter? I can ONLY keep 1 girl, I just don't have the space to experiement.

 

[EnglishSpot]

Many folks on here retain and breed for does that have easy temperments, easy to breed, good mothers, and have consistant babies. I don't know how old they remove their does from the breeding cages though. From what I've read and this is JMO, I'd keep a daughter of SuperStar Rookie, and replace Doe 3. Why fight to get what may come more much naturally to SSR's daughter? After all, you're looking for big rabbits with good mothering skills to make more babies.

 

[Zass]

Why not grow out the nicest doeling from each and keep whomever you like best?
Since your bucks are unrelated, these is no telling what the kits are going to be like.


Chances are, you'll find reasons to cull, and if not, you can sell the extra girls as brood stock.

 

[weissangst]

THESE 3 does are the ones I am keeping the 4thone is being disposed of. <br /><br /> -- Wed Dec 10, 2014 4:08 pm -- <br /><br /> zass, I don't have the room to keep 3 separate daughters. I can keep 2 daughters form the same litter maybe, but I don't have the cage space to keep 3. wish I had that luxury

 

[Dood]

Keep a kit from doe 1 and doe 2 then decide later and sell the daughter that you don't keep as a replacement.