Hey guys, so I have 3 bucks and 4 does. Two of the bucks are 4 mths and one is 3, but he is the biggest of them. While I was cleaning his cage and had him in a carrier, he jumped up and sprayed urine. Getting me too anyways!;The does are 5, 4 and 3.5 mths. Now, ALL the bucks are displaying behaviours as if they are ready to breed. They are all standard rex buns. My question is, can I breed the bucks at 6 mths of age with the does that will be 7 mths and wait another month to do the same with the younger ones OR is it best to wait until the bucks are 7 mths old and some of the does much older?
Are they ready to breed?
- Thread starter Ronnie13
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Yup. Breed 'em when they are ready.
RabbitsOfTheCreek
Netherland Dwarf Breeder & Well-known Member
The minimum age I breed them is 6 months, bucks and does
When to breed usually depends upon the breed of rabbit. An easy "rule of thumb" is 6 months, however, it is not absolutely necessary to use that rule. I've attached an excerpt from the book, Rabbit Production, which addresses this.
In my rabbitry, where NZ and Silver Fox are raised, I've had does ready and proved themselves capable late within their 4th month, others the same age absolutely not ready. Bucks, from an early age, are sexually eager; they practice, fling their scent around (via urine), show dominance, etc., but all this show does not necessarily mean he can do the "thing" of his dreams. For bucks, its all about length, and I'm talking about his package. It's got to be long enough to get it where it needs to be or he theoretically will fall off all day long without the breeder's desired effect. I've found bucks achieve the needed length at different rates, just like females become ready at different rates.
In my rabbitry, where NZ and Silver Fox are raised, I've had does ready and proved themselves capable late within their 4th month, others the same age absolutely not ready. Bucks, from an early age, are sexually eager; they practice, fling their scent around (via urine), show dominance, etc., but all this show does not necessarily mean he can do the "thing" of his dreams. For bucks, its all about length, and I'm talking about his package. It's got to be long enough to get it where it needs to be or he theoretically will fall off all day long without the breeder's desired effect. I've found bucks achieve the needed length at different rates, just like females become ready at different rates.
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