breeding siblings

[starshotbandit]

Is it OK to breed siblings? getting 2 flemish giants and I have the oppertunity to have them breed by their brother. He is a littermate.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

No problem at all. Inbreeding is very common with rabbits.

There was a study done where brother/sister breedings were done for over twenty generations with no issues.

 

[starshotbandit]

Thats great! On that note I should have no Issues breeding my californias that are"cousin". well I can crank up producing the pedigreed litters.

Oh,oh,oh...One more question... how often can I breed my does without "burning them out"? I would like to keep them happy, healthy and producing as long as possable.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

how often can I breed my does without "burning them out"?

That all depends on your does.

One of our members has colony rabbits and most take a "break" on their own, but one of her does has had back-to-back litters every thirty days or so for a couple of years.

You need to monitor their condition. Some people breed back immediately, others at two weeks, or four, or six... what I normally do is breed a first timer at four weeks if she has held condition. I have bred back at two weeks as well, on an experienced doe, but I don't usually do that. There are plenty of litters as it is, since I have a minimum of twelve breeding does at all times.

 

[starshotbandit]

I only have 3 breeding does now and 2 juniors that I can start n a month. my oldest doe has held condition verry well, in fact I think she is fatter now 1 week after having the last litter. I bred her back 10 weeks after the firse litter and she looks great. my other doe is not so good she droped lots of weight. I give her BOSS, Calf-Manna, and free feed her pellets. she has alwas been skinny.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

my oldest doe has held condition verry well, in fact I think she is fatter now 1 week after having the last litter.

I would breed her back a lot sooner than that then. You don't want her getting a lot of internal fat buildup, as it can cause smaller litters or NO litters. Try her at a four week breed back this time and see how she does- by pushing her a bit, hopefully she will use up some of the fat that she likely has.

my other doe is not so good she droped lots of weight. I give her BOSS, Calf-Manna, and free feed her pellets. she has alwas been skinny.

You might want to worm her, or it may be that her gut flora is off.

I processed a doe yesterday that had dropped weight, and her cecum was filled with gas. I believe probiotics may have helped her.

I have the product Bene-Bac by Manna Pro for livestock. You can give a pea-sized amount squirted directly in the mouth for a week or so and see if she begins gaining weight.

If you don't have a scale, I would recommend that as a priority when you can afford one.

 

[starshotbandit]

I have been meaning to get som bene-bac,but it has become hard to find. the last time I found it,it was at petsmart, but that was years ago. I do have a scale and I will weigh her again. It may be that she just looks extra poor cause she plucked soooo much hair she filled up the nestbox all the way to the roof. I felt it was way too much and took out a little over half(it was half of a gallon size ziplock packed), the next morning it was full again. She has nakid sides, belly and spots on her bum,back and legs. I left the hair, but push it to the back and down during the day so the babbies dont get to hot.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I have been meaning to get som bene-bac,but it has become hard to find.

I bought mine at Tractor Supply Co. I am near Bakersfield in CA, so your local TSC should carry it.

I have also used powdered probiotics that I have for our horses.

 

[starshotbandit]

thanks I will check tractor supply. seems petsmart doesent have it any more. I was just at tractor this morning and I didnt even think to look. I did find out that their hay cubes are cheeper than at roundup.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I did find out that their hay cubes are cheeper than at roundup.

You're in Bakersfield? :shock:<br /><br />__________ Mon Apr 29, 2013 6:23 pm __________<br /><br />There is an ad on CL for black FG's. They are asking $125.

 

[OneAcreFarm]

Tractor Supply also has ProBios, which is also a probiotic. You can get it in paste or powder form.

 

[starshotbandit]

yep, Im in bako. I was in Tehachapi untill last november.<br /><br />__________ Tue Apr 30, 2013 10:06 am __________<br /><br />Is it the probios for horses, goats and cattle? In the blue and white lable?