Are my Rex rabbits to young for a breeding colony?

Hi everyone, I have a male standard Rex who is a little over a year old and two does (sisters already living together) that are 4 months old. The sisters live in a large hutch next to the male in his hutch, I’m going to build a large enclosure to have them live together as a colony, but will likely have an extension on the enclosure for the male when the does have kits in order to give them a break from breeding.
Anyway, are the does too young to start breeding in your opinions? I have done quite a bit of research and keep getting conflicting info regarding age for doe to start breeding. Any advice and wisdom would be much appreciated. Thank you.

You should wait until they're at least 5.5 months old

Rexyrabs said:

Hi everyone, I have a male standard Rex who is a little over a year old and two does (sisters already living together) that are 4 months old. The sisters live in a large hutch next to the male in his hutch, I’m going to build a large enclosure to have them live together as a colony, but will likely have an extension on the enclosure for the male when the does have kits in order to give them a break from breeding.
Anyway, are the does too young to start breeding in your opinions? I have done quite a bit of research and keep getting conflicting info regarding age for doe to start breeding. Any advice and wisdom would be much appreciated. Thank you.

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I agree with @RabbitsOfTheCreek that it's safer to wait until 5.5-6 months. They can get pregnant before that (and probably will if you introduce the male) but it may compromise their own development.

I'd say 6 months is minimum for small dwarf breeds, standard are more like 7-8 months. Given the does age now and the shortening days your best chance would be to breed them coming february. Longer days and early spring makes them more likely to want a buck, makes it easier for inexperienced young does to get bred rather then just panic.

Rexyrabs said:

Hi everyone, I have a male standard Rex who is a little over a year old and two does (sisters already living together) that are 4 months old. The sisters live in a large hutch next to the male in his hutch, I’m going to build a large enclosure to have them live together as a colony, but will likely have an extension on the enclosure for the male when the does have kits in order to give them a break from breeding.
Anyway, are the does too young to start breeding in your opinions? I have done quite a bit of research and keep getting conflicting info regarding age for doe to start breeding. Any advice and wisdom would be much appreciated. Thank you.

Click to expand...

When I started my colonies, I had Dana's book that suggested easiest eas to start with young rabbits and let them grow together.thats what I did. 2 ,8 week old does with a 12 week buck. Silver fox. Left to their own timing , first litters were at 8 months. I have never had any does living full time with buck, birth younger than 7 months. Bucks seem to turn into horny toads early and can get frustrated with unresponsive young does, sometimes getting a little rough. Have not had that problem when the buck was a little younger than the does. Also they seem calmer even when adding younger does to existing colony if there is older does present. Buck seems to snif around to see if she smells ready but is less pushy with the big girls around to keep him happy. I love my colonies and watching them interact. Bucks can be good protective dads when given a chance. I have never had a buck injure a kit(until the boys are getting big and he is trying to chase them away) my does seem to control breeding. Seem to space liters a few months apart. I have not had back to back litters. Enjoy the adventure and keep us posted

I say 7 months to start a doe

Thank you for all of your replies.

Unfortunately my two does just died, they were in a large hutch next to my males hutch (he’s fine), sheltered, clean, lots of bedding, fresh water, food etc.

I found the first dead late afternoon, just lay out like she was sleeping with her sister lay on top of her, she was clean, not even any excrement. And then the other was dead the next morning, same position etc.

Thinking back, the day the first died, my cockerels had been growling like crazy (their enclosure is not far from the rabbits) and the next day when I found the second I noticed fox prints around the area. I didn’t realise they could die just from the sight of a predator. This seems to be the most logical answer, maybe the fox came back and the other died of shock too. What are your thoughts?

Sorry this is a long one! Just gutted and confused. And now I’m going to have to start with younger does again and wait, (going to go with your advice, thank you) and can’t get the same colours either.

Honestly can’t explain how deflated I am about it, they were beautiful girls with such sweet natures. I wish I had hurried and built their colony set up but hadn’t rushed as didn’t want the girls in there before I could add the male as I’ve read the females are very territorial and would likely be aggressive with my buck.

Back to the colony, I still have my standard Rex chocolate otter boy.
I’ve found some opal mini Rex, and also a California/ New Zealand, I have been looking for a New Zealand for easily 6months+ so I am excited about this cross, I don’t know why they’re not as popular over here in the UK.

Question, rabbit colour genetics are taking me a while to get my head around (I’ve managed it with chickens so I’ll get there with the buns.. eventually!) Any idea what colours I could get from an opal cross with chocolate otter?

And if I breed my Rex buck to the cali/NZ cross, if I keep one of her does and breed it back to the Rex buck should their offspring have Rex velvet coats? I’m aiming for a good size for meat and also a larger size pelt with the Rex fur.

Thank you to anyone who takes the time to read this babble never mind to reply Thanks guys, look forward to hearing what you have to say and hopefully you can help Jen