Correct way to hold an uncooperative doe for a buck?

[Kyle@theWintertime]

I've been trying for a while now to get my doe, Classy, bred. She won't lift for anything. It's cute watching my buck trying to woo her, she'll tolerate being groomed and nuzzled but when he tries to get things done, she clamps her butt to the bottom of the cage and growls. It doesn't seem to matter what color her parts are, she has decided she will not be bred.

I've been trying to hold her for him but I'm not sure I'm holding properly since he never "falls off" with a helping hand.

I really need this doe to breed. If I put her to a much more...persistent buck, just to get a litter out of her, will she be more receptive to the buck I actually WANT her to breed with next time around?

Are there any videos or illustrations on how to hold her for breeding?

I'm getting desperate, LOL.

 

[fuzzy9]

I've tried holding a doe for a buck, but "I've" never had success with it, my bucks just back off if I'm anywhere near the doe. I went through a spell last summer with none of my does wanting to breed, and after adding some free choice minerals, some greens like parsley and romaine, my does all bred. I'm not saying this would be your issue, just that it helped here, and may be worth a try if you aren't already doing something like this. Another thought, is the doe on the fat side?

 

[Miss M]

It is quite possible that she will be more receptive to that buck after being put with the barbarian.

Just don't wait too long to try to rebreed her.

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

I've been trying Romaine and greens for her...planning to start using apple cider vinegar again next week too. Someone suggested a car ride to "loosen her up."

Rockstar is a Mini Rex but he's the most demanding buck I've ever seen. He does not take a doe's "no" for an answer...I figure, a silly cross litter just to get her started, and when the kits are like two weeks-ish, re-breed her to the right buck?

I double checked, today she's all sorts of pinkish-purple and swollen, so I can't imagine she doesn't want a breeding.

 

[mwtrees]

I will try in the next few days to show how I hold a uncooperative doe for a buck. I actually hold ALL my does as I don't have the time when breeding 30-50 rabbits at a time for the chase around the cage bit. Then when I do have a truly uncooperative doe the buck is always willing to at least give the the college try.

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

I will try in the next few days to show how I hold a uncooperative doe for a buck. I actually hold ALL my does as I don't have the time when breeding 30-50 rabbits at a time for the chase around the cage bit. Then when I do have a truly uncooperative doe the buck is always willing to at least give the the college try.

Awesome, thanks!!!

 

[CWD]

one of my does, refuses to breed. so I put her in with my 7 year old buck.
and he tryed to mount her with no luck. so I was trying to take her out of his cage.
and as soon as I got a hold of her. He was right there and got her 3 times in no time flat.
I put my left hand under her chest, down towards her rear end. I used my right hand to hold her right behind
her ears, and I hiked her rear end up. and now this is the only way I can get her to breed.
I guess she likes a team effort. LOL

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

one of my does, refuses to breed. so I put her in with my 7 year old buck.
and he tryed to mount her with no luck. so I was trying to take her out of his cage.
and as soon as I got a hold of her. He was right there and got her 3 times in no time flat.
I put my left hand under her chest, down towards her rear end. I used my right hand to hold her right behind
her ears, and I hiked her rear end up. and now this is the only way I can get her to breed.
I guess she likes a team effort. LOL

I've got some time, I'm gonna head back out and try again holding her like you suggest.

 

[Miss M]

I'm all ears...

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

Well that was a little better! I'm still not sure I'm holding her properly, but the buck actually managed to cover her once! However that was after about a half dozen failed attempts, with Classy growling every time he touched her, so after the one cover he placidly stretched out with his face in his pellet crock. It started to rain again...my lean-to keeps the rabbits nice and dry but I was standing juuuust right for the overhang to drip down my back, so I gave up waiting to see if he'd have another go.

I'll try again in the morning to be sure. It would be a relief to get this darn doe bred!!!

LOL maybe part of the success was me whispering "if you don't want to be renamed Baked Classerole, hike up that booty, Classy Lass..." :lol:

 

[ohiogoatgirl]

hahahaha. my does all want pushed around and shown who's boss i suppose... so i've had to hold the does for any breedings lately.

whats worked for me seems to be holding them down at the shoulders, or if the buck thinks you're in his way then to hold her head/ears. i've even laid the doe out! push her out to lay sorta but on her belly. i've even pulled up her butt and situated her legs! so far the bucks dont seem to mind me being there that much.

 

[ladysown]

sometimes with recalcitrant does one needs to think outside the box.

Move to a different location.
swtich cages for a couple of days...this works really well with bucks who like to make their cage their own, but even the non-spraying bucks this works with.
bring buck to the doe
try in the morning
try in the afternoon.
try every single day for a month
try late at night
Give ACV in the water for one week prior.
Reduce feed for a couple weeks prior.

other things to consider
1. is the doe really worth it? Do you want to breed that lack of receptivity into your lines?
2. is the doe in condition to be bred?
3. does she simply NOT like your buck? Seriously this is an issue. I've had more than one doe refuse a certain buck and when introduced to the alternative think he's the next best thing to sliced bread. Go figure.

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

1. is the doe really worth it? Do you want to breed that lack of receptivity into your lines?

I dislike her lack of willingness to breed but I love her shape and type, and am head over heels for her head. She's a gorgeous old doe, and is the better of my two Champagne does BY FAR. She's from a great bloodline and I desperately want her conformation retained.

2. is the doe in condition to be bred?

Yep! I've been super-careful not to let her get fat...she's like a brick of meat. So nice and solid!!!

3. does she simply NOT like your buck? Seriously this is an issue. I've had more than one doe refuse a certain buck and when introduced to the alternative think he's the next best thing to sliced bread. Go figure.

I'm pretty sure she hates him, LOL. However...he's the only Champagne buck I've got, took me almost a year to get a quality buck, so...she'd better get over herself and get used to being paired with him until I can breed up a nice son of his to replace him with.

 

[ladysown]

SOMETIMES>>>> you can fool those particular does you know. I've done it before. Don't like one buck, okay... put you with second buck but... DON"T let him cover her (get close get her going) and then VERY quickly do a switcheroo.

This NEEDS to be done in neutral territory by the way. Having help is well.....it makes things go smoother. And does require bucks used to you messing with them during breeding.

OR you could do the "let her breed with the buck that she likes" foster those kits out (or cull to snake food or something) and the day after she kindles she will be hot to trot.... put her with the buck you REALLY want her to be with. Tends to work out much more smoothly then.

 

[fuzzy9]

"if you don't want to be renamed Baked Classerole, hike up that booty, Classy Lass..." :lol:

You always say the funniest things that make me LOL! :lol:

 

[mystang89]

I take my left hand and hold their ears over their face, (save embarrassment for them ) Then take my right hand and insert it under the belly where the hid legs begin. My fingers will be touching the "tendon"? or whatever it is that is right in front of the vagina pushing is towards the back. I find if I don't do this the doe has a tendency of tucking their tail down and covering their hole. With this method I've had a back cover 3 or 4 times in a roll.

.....All that said the darn doe never took and I'm thinking of eating her now

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

"if you don't want to be renamed Baked Classerole, hike up that booty, Classy Lass..." :lol:

You always say the funniest things that make me LOL! :lol:

LOL!!! It's a gift...?

 

[AnnClaire]

Kyle, all good advice, but I would be very careful about bringing the buck to the doe ... no experience with that being bad myself, but have read plenty of others where the buck got loose and tried to enter the doe's cage with terrible results.

You might also try raspberry zinger tea in her water for a week ... that is supposed to rev the does up really well.

But, most of all, just keep putting her in ... I have best results mid-afternoon ... it is before feeding, warmest part of the day and everyone is lounging around and interested in anything new at that time.

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

Yeah she's cranky enough I wouldn't trust putting gentle old Boss into her cage, he is way too docile.

Well I held her again today and he managed to cover here again...so that's two legit covers in under 24 hours. I'm hoping that's all it'll take...even if it's a wee tiny litter, I don't CARE I just want this silly doe BRED ALREADY.

Should I try again tomorrow or just wait and palpate in a couple weeks?

 

[mystang89]

When I did it I held for a few times in a roll for 3 days and then palpated the 12, 13, 14th day. after the first forced mating.