Breeding season for the Z-Tribe is getting close

[ZRabbits]

I've been very excited, plus very nervous on my venture into breeding. My doe, Luna has been makes nests for the past month so I know she's getting ready. My buck Neville, well, he's Neville. Will get excited by her scent every once in a while.

Here's my Luna

Here's my Neville

What would be the best way to introduce my breeding pair? They each know they are there because they are stacked one on top of the other. But they have never been truly introduced. Would it be wise to go to the crate or get a neutral place, like the Bunny run for the first introduction. I was planning the bunny run, but would really like some input from the experts.

Also have been looking at nest boxes. What would be the best nest box for a smaller rabbit. Would love to hear all suggestions.

Really getting excited. I plan to do this in the beginning of October. I know I could do it earlier but I truly want to stick to my plans. I think both are ready now, but I guess I'm not. lol

As a newbie, appreciate ALL opinions, suggestions and recommendations.

Karen

 

[AnnClaire]

Karen,

Those look adorable ... please do NOT send me one LOL

For the breeding, ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS take the doe to the buck. So, if you want to breed in the bunny run, put the buck in for about 30 minutes so he can mark the territory, then put the doe in. Do NOT leave unattended! Watch for her behavior as she can damage the male if she is aggressive. If he mounts her, watch for at least 2 fall-offs the first time. Then remove the doe back to her cage ... some folks even hold the doe for a few minutes so they don't urinate and wash the semen out (can't say one way or the other myself.) Then, if you want, you can do another breeding 8-12 hours later ... I haven't found it necessary, but I have larger breeds.

Personally, I would recommend cage breeding for your first time ... it is a smaller enclosure, you can assist if the doe won't position correctly, or if the buck tries the wrong end first :cheesysmile:

 

[ZRabbits]

Thanks so much Anne Claire, promise won't send you one, lol. So when do you want to be put on the list, lol.

This is their crate size. 41" x 20". Would you think this is big enough. I truly understand what you mean by saying starting with a smaller enclosure. Appreciate your help. I would take the litter box to give them more room.

Karen

 

[LindseysWoolies]

If she is ready you should really breed her now. Sometimes if you wait it can be harder to get her to conceive. I have always cage bred. I bring the doe to the bucks cage and wait for him to fall off twice

 

[ZRabbits]

Thanks Lindsey, Luna will be turning 7 months on the 29th. And she has been making nests for the past two weeks, so I really think she's showing me that she is ready that way. Will definitely have to rethink the schedule for breeding. Don't want to make it too hard for her. Do you think the crate will be big enough for them both?

Karen

 

[AnnClaire]

Yep, just get anything that would be "in the way" out of the way for the few minutes it would take LOL

And Lindsey has a great point ... if she is ready NOW, now would be the time to breed her. Since they are housed indoors, I cannot see any reason for you to not have been breeding all summer LOL But, if the breeding timing is because of your schedule, then you can't help that

 

[ZRabbits]

Yep, just get anything that would be "in the way" out of the way for the few minutes it would take LOL

And Lindsey has a great point ... if she is ready NOW, now would be the time to breed her. Since they are housed indoors, I cannot see any reason for you to not have been breeding all summer LOL But, if the breeding timing is because of your schedule, then you can't help that

Not schedule, just me being a "Nervous Nellie" about the whole thing. Never bred anything in my life. Will be sitting down with hubby to discuss starting sooner than when I thought I would. Just had this time frame in my mind but seeing what Luna is doing, truly think she's more ready then I am.

Thanks so much to both of you, appreciate your comments immensely.

Karen<br /><br />__________ Sun Aug 19, 2012 5:26 pm __________<br /><br />Just talked with my Husband. Plans have changed and will be putting them together for the first time next weekend. Will let you know how it goes.

Karen

 

[MamaMandy]

I agree with the others Karen. I'd breed sooner rather than later. Can't wait to see little baby Lion Heads!

 

[ZRabbits]

Truly appreciate your input MamaMandy. Talked it over and we are both ready for Saturday. Hoping the rabbits are ready as well, lol. Looking forward to the new adventure.

Karen

 

[MamaMandy]

Awesome! Best of luck!

 

[luvabunny]

How long have you had the doe? Is there a possibility that she is pregnant already? I ask because I have never had a doe build a nest without the intention of kindling. I've never had one build a nest because she was "ready" to breed.

If these animals have been together anytime since they were 4 months old, out in the enclosure you've talked about, and especially within the past month, then there is a possibility that she is already bred. Smaller breeds mature faster.

Doe do have a cycle. Flip her over and check her genitals. A ready doe will be a dark pink to red. If she's light pink, she probably won't breed. Also, to check for readiness, scratch around her back somewhat roughly. If she raises her hindquarters, she is ready to breed.

Enclosure breeding rarely works well, as most does will make the buck chase for so long that by the time she allows him to catch her he is too tired to perform. Never introduce the buck into the does area, whether it is her cage, or any place she has been for any length of time.

Cage breeding in a smaller space works out best. Take the doe to the bucks cage. If he mounts her head, remove him and place him behind. Virgin bunnies don't always have a real good idea of how to get the job done. If the doe continually swaps ends so they are face to face, position her correctly and hold her head down. Don't get bit by the buck, as they normally bite the shoulders of the doe.

If fighting occurs, or if the doe is just not interested, remove her immediately. Does can do a great deal of harm to a buck, and render him sterile for life. If she's not interested, give her a couple of days and try again. People who say something breeds like rabbits have obviously never attempted to schedule rabbit breedings...

 

[ZRabbits]

I know for a fact she not pregnant. Luna and Neville have never been together, nor has she had contact with any other buck. I have been VERY careful not to have my bunnies interact. Especially after the "barbering" incident with Dobby and Kreacher.

I appreciate all the information you have given me to help out with our first breeding. It will definitely come in handy. I will check her "who who" to see what color she's at. And also scratch her behind roughly to see if she does lift before I introduce at all.

Also am nervous just because I know what can happen on a bad day. Believe me my Rabbit Vet gave me all types of stories of what could go wrong because he was worried when I had Dobby and Kreacher together. He also stressed the male/female bouts. We will both be here to make sure it all goes well and no one is injured.

Thanks so much again for all your help.

Karen

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Today is the big day, isn't it?

Let us know how it goes!

 

[ZRabbits]

Just flipped Luna. She's light pink. Also scratched her butt and nothing. No lifting. Two signs showing she isn't ready. So will keep tabs on her.

Definitely will let you know when she's ready and how they both did. Thanks Mamasheepdog.

Thanks also to everyone who gave me such awesome advise. Trying to make it the best experience for both newbie bunnies and newbie breeders.

Karen

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Just flipped Luna. She's light pink.

Darn.

Neville is the most adorable little bunny. No slight to Luna- she is very pretty too- but he looks like a "Cabbit" (alleged rabbit/cat hybrid)... I'm looking forward to seeing if his babies have his triangular ears and foofy mane.

If so, you'll have to send me one. Or three. :mrgreen:

 

[ZRabbits]

Just flipped Luna. She's light pink.

Darn.

Neville is the most adorable little bunny. No slight to Luna- she is very pretty too- but he looks like a "Cabbit" (alleged rabbit/cat hybrid)... I'm looking forward to seeing if his babies have his triangular ears and foofy mane.

If so, you'll have to send me one. Or three. :mrgreen:

Love my Luna too, but hoping their kits strongly resemble Neville. He's my True looking Lion. My neighbor thought I got a Persian kitten the first time she saw Neville.

Karen

 

[LindseysWoolies]

Just flipped Luna. She's light pink. Also scratched her butt and nothing. No lifting. Two signs showing she isn't ready. So will keep tabs on her.

Definitely will let you know when she's ready and how they both did. Thanks Mamasheepdog.

Thanks also to everyone who gave me such awesome advise. Trying to make it the best experience for both newbie bunnies and newbie breeders.

Karen

scratch her tail. This was a sign for me, when I tickled the underside of Molly's tail the other day she lifted her little but up high. She turned 6 months old so I went ahead and bred her.

 

[ZRabbits]

Just flipped Luna. She's light pink. Also scratched her butt and nothing. No lifting. Two signs showing she isn't ready. So will keep tabs on her.

Definitely will let you know when she's ready and how they both did. Thanks Mamasheepdog.

Thanks also to everyone who gave me such awesome advise. Trying to make it the best experience for both newbie bunnies and newbie breeders.

Karen

scratch her tail. This was a sign for me, when I tickled the underside of Molly's tail the other day she lifted her little but up high. She turned 6 months old so I went ahead and bred her.

Thanks Lindsey, tried the tail scratching and tickling, nothing. Luna will be 7 months on 8/29, so maybe she's just a late bloomer.

Karen

 

[LindseysWoolies]

She is probably just on one of her off days of her cycle. I would check her for rediness very couple days. When she is ready her vulva will be dark pink, purple, or red. Good luck.

 

[ZRabbits]

Thanks again for the advise Lindsey. Will check every couple of days. Will keep everyone posted.

BTW, just got word that someone already wants one of her kits and definitely wants to be put on the waiting list. Cool!

Karen