discouraged

[Frosted Rabbits]

one does not need hormone inputs to bring mares into estrus togetehr-- just the proper lighting conditions. As for rabbits-- golly gee whiz-- they are generally receptive 12 out of 14 days-- so what is the issue.? Like Ottersatin says-- if the rabbits can;t do it on their own, they need to be culled!

 

[MaggieJ]

I agree with you both, Ottersatin and Frosted Rabbits, that there is no good reason to use these hormones in rabbit production. Whether there is any harm in it or not, I am not qualified to say. I know I would never do it.

My main concern at this point is that our new member, Davidsherwood, should substantiate or edit his remarks on this subject. I don't want it on the record that hormone use for commercial rabbit production is standard operating procedure if it is not. How about it, David?

 

[akane]

A mare will make her own cycle under lighting or majority of the year just fine but that short period of when they are in heat isn't always useful for us. It might result in an extra $100-$200 in boarding costs for keeping the mare at the stallion owner's place while waiting and then all your mares will be foaling at different times requiring hiring help to watch the mares over night since one person cannot watch mares 24/7 for weeks on end. With hormones you can make it all line up. Only drive to the stallion owner's place once to drop off and once to pick up while still only paying a 1 week or less boarding/care fee, and hopefully only spend 1 week waiting for foals but occasionally you get some that always foal early or late even when bred at the same time. This doesn't really apply to rabbits though since they don't have a short 5 days or so they have to be bred every month.

 

[Brody]

another "know it all" wanna be who hides behind "they"

Devon's Mom except male... joy and bliss

just think of him in the same light - yup he's going to be a pain no doubt

 

[OneAcreFarm]

I'm feeling a bit discouraged today. I bred my doe twice and I'm just hoping she is pregnant and due by Aug 21st. I tryed to palpitate her underside but I only felt hardness not soft marbles the book describes when feeling for babies. Either I didnt do it right or she's not preggo. I do notice she been eating all her pellets when I go to refill. Sorry for my complaining. Has anyone else felt discouraged there first time for there first liter? Is there any other "tests" I can do? If not then I'll just have to wait and see. :bunnyhop:

Oh my goodness, I thought I would go insane that first time! :x I am sure everyone remembers how crazy I was.... :lol: It's ok...it's totally normal.

Try this AT 14 DAYS(any later and you could hurt the kits)...
Face her toward you, scruff with non dominant hand.
Use dominant to reach under and actually lift her up until her back feet are just off the table/surface.
Now try to palpate, this seems to let the belly muscles relax better.

In the fourth week, you can put your hands on either side of her belly and GENTLY press while feeling around. You should feel the kits in there, or at least feel SOMETHING that is not soft like a normal belly.

http://www.arbadist1.com/palpation.pdf

Good luck!

*edited to clarify instructions*

 

[cmabb]

Thanks oneacrefarm, I will try that right now and get back to you and yes it is driving me crazy!!! :explode: I even brought in my bucks out of the heat and it's been a week since doing so. <br /><br />__________ Thu Aug 11, 2011 3:19 pm __________<br /><br />ok ... I felt nothin on both does. Ugh... ok I want to say I think my buck was sterile during the time I bred them. Having him inside for a week now, that should help make him better now. I will still see what happens. Ah the frustrations and trials of being a newbie and starting meat rabbits. :?

 

[Anntann]

Not all rabbits can be palpated..even by practiced vets. I have a doe who quite simply does NOT appear pregnant..and then she'll deliver 10 kits out of nowhere.

Be aware that if you are feeling around on the internal organs of a pregnant doe, and you make a mistake, you can kill the kit..and even disturb the placement so they won't be able to expel the kits correctly. Rabbit insides are pretty derned full when they're pregnant.

yes, it's frustrating. But you'll know if she's going to kindle soon, so ....

I've never been a proponent of changing the natural cycle of any animal. There are good, solid reasons that a particular animal cycles the way she does.

that said...rabbits don't cycle. So I'm not sure why we're even talking about changing the hormonal makeup to get them to be fertile. I've known a couple three big meat breeders and have never heard any of them needing to use hormones. If you need to do anything to make your does fertile...well...the guys I know would just cull the unproductive does and keep the ones who get pregnant easily and deliver big litters.

Just give the does until 35days. Put a bunch of hay/straw in with them when you add the nestbox soon, and see what happens.

 

[cmabb]

Ok thanks and I wont give up to soon. I'll just stop worrying and take it in stride.