Its been almost a year since I got into breeding rabbits. I started off with three, a NZW doe, a NZW buck, and a FG/NZ doe. I started trying to breed when they turned six months, and kept trying for months with no success. First they wouldn't lift, then even with fall offs the breedings didn't take, and so on. I later got Midnight, a proven lop/NZ doe. She failed at raising three litters with me, and I honestly wasn't sure if I should just say three strikes and shes gone, or if I was doing something wrong and should keep trying with her. During this time, I got into Americans and Mini Rex, though my new does refused to breed as well or the breedings didn't take. I also had one colony come down with pastuerella, and spent a couple months in fear that I might lose the whole herd. When I got three more rabbits to start a colony once again, I put my former helper in charge of them. Well, the day after he left, I realized that I had colony kits, my very first litter. Somehow they'd gone unnoticed and were about two weeks old. I was shocked, but elated, and it made me realize how well their Mama could take care of them with no intervention at all. They were beautiful little miracles to me.
I thought back to Midnight, my most disappointing doe who was on her very last chance, and on everything that happened each time she kindled and how I behaved. Each time, I was nervous, checking her and the kits frequently, and constantly fretting and fussing to try and make things go right. Earlier this week Midnight was due. I trusted her to know what to do and do it, instead of trying to play Mother. None of her litters before survived past three days. She now has three beautiful five day old kits that are well fed and growing like weeds. I don't think this is a fluke, I honestly think she could have been a great Mom all along. I just needed my rabbits to teach me that they are the Mothers, I'm the breeder, and I should trust them to raise their kits as much as they trust me to bring the food and hay.
As a lovely surprise, one of my original NZW does, who is now a month shy of one year old, who I had almost given up on, kindled her first litter at the same time. She has six lovely little kits, and is also taking care of them beautifully while I stand back and learn to not fuss or worry. It's been a long road, and I was wondering if I would ever see results, but finally I've learned to trust my rabbits to do their job while I do mine.
I thought back to Midnight, my most disappointing doe who was on her very last chance, and on everything that happened each time she kindled and how I behaved. Each time, I was nervous, checking her and the kits frequently, and constantly fretting and fussing to try and make things go right. Earlier this week Midnight was due. I trusted her to know what to do and do it, instead of trying to play Mother. None of her litters before survived past three days. She now has three beautiful five day old kits that are well fed and growing like weeds. I don't think this is a fluke, I honestly think she could have been a great Mom all along. I just needed my rabbits to teach me that they are the Mothers, I'm the breeder, and I should trust them to raise their kits as much as they trust me to bring the food and hay.
As a lovely surprise, one of my original NZW does, who is now a month shy of one year old, who I had almost given up on, kindled her first litter at the same time. She has six lovely little kits, and is also taking care of them beautifully while I stand back and learn to not fuss or worry. It's been a long road, and I was wondering if I would ever see results, but finally I've learned to trust my rabbits to do their job while I do mine.
I'll have to take your word for it though since my useless rabbits refuse to MATE!!!!!!!!! $#^&*%%.....
