A question..

[Bun]

I am wanting to breed my two Does (mini lops) they are 4.5/5 months now so I think they are at the age/close to be bred. I have found a buck (mini lop) who is now 6 months.
When I have successfully bred my first doe can my other doe still be in the hutch With her during gestation period? Or will she need to be separated from her if so from which point do I separate them and from what point can I bring them back together.
I know the buck needs to be kept separate from my girls, but will the buck not be lonely, should I get another male so he has a companion? Or is there a point where I can bring the 3 of them together once both had litters? :bunnyhop:

 

[Rainey]

You'll get different advice from different people and will have to decide what works for you.
I have kept junior does that were littermates together until they were bred. Then they were given their own cage and occupy it alone after each litter is weaned until they kindle again.
If I'm keeping a youngster to breed and that is the only one from the litter, that rabbit has its own cage from the time it is separated from its littermates.
There is a forum here on RT just for colonies, where adults share some space.
Hope that helps--and welcome to RT

 

[Dood]

NEVER put two intact male togeather.

Your buck won't be "lonely" as that is a human emotion, he will feel sexually frustrated if he can smell females but is not allowed to breed and he may bite at his bars or rip around his cage trying to get to them.

It depends on the two does temperaments on whether they can stay togeather. Sometimes one becomes aggressive and tries to chase the other doe away from the newborns, others won't mind.

You must watch your rabbits behaviour to see if there is any fighting/biting and have a spare cage ready just in case and it is quite possible that they can never live togeather again as many sexually mature females are very territorial and won't tolerate sharing a cage which is why spaying is recommended if you want "bonded" rabbits

Also, some does can get mean with their older kits and you may need another cage for them, especially if they do not get sold by 10 weeks old

 

[SuburbanHomesteader]

Just to add a little more to what Dood said...

The behavior on the does can change in an instant. They may share a pen together for months and be just fine.
And then one of them says something the other doesn't like and all hell breaks loose! Fur flying, shredded ears,
and lots of blood.

The closer a doe gets to breeding age, the more you should consider giving her her own space.

As for bucks, they get their own pen at 10 weeks - 12 weeks at the latest.

And once a rabbit has been given their own pen, don't expect them to share again.

Seems like there's always the same dilemma: more pens or fewer rabbits? Better safe than sorry.