I was thinking of buying a doe that is over a year old but has never been breed.. I am a little concerned about that.. any thoughts
doe over a year old
- Thread starter Mary Ann's Rabbitry
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For what purpose?
Pet - no problem
A couple litters a year - I'd take a chance if she was worth the asking price
More than 3 litters a year - no way
Pet - no problem
A couple litters a year - I'd take a chance if she was worth the asking price
More than 3 litters a year - no way
WhWRabbitry
Well-known member
I'm a newbie so take my experience with a grain of salt but one of our recent litters was from a year and 1/2 old doe and it was her first litter. Everything has been smooth (other than she is a little over protective). She is a wonderful Momma. Her kits are the fattest!
MamaSheepdog
Well-known member
If she has really exceptional bloodlines and qualities that you want in your herd and you can't get those anywhere else- and the price is low enough to justify the risk- I would do it. Maybe.
But otherwise, I wouldn't take the chance unless you don't mind absorbing the loss if you can't get her bred.
Then again- aren't we taking a risk every time we buy a rabbit? None of them come with any guarantees of making it through quarantine, let alone breeding successfully... so go with your gut.
Personally- I buy bucks. You can put a buck to so many more does in a short period of time to see if they cross well with your lines, and even if they should die for some unexpected reason in a month or two you already have multiple litters on the ground from them.
But otherwise, I wouldn't take the chance unless you don't mind absorbing the loss if you can't get her bred.
Then again- aren't we taking a risk every time we buy a rabbit? None of them come with any guarantees of making it through quarantine, let alone breeding successfully... so go with your gut.
Personally- I buy bucks. You can put a buck to so many more does in a short period of time to see if they cross well with your lines, and even if they should die for some unexpected reason in a month or two you already have multiple litters on the ground from them.
MSD, when you buy the bucks, how many chances do they get before you ummm "move them on" to the freezer?
MamaSheepdog
Well-known member
Sagebrush":4xeix7vy said:
Honestly, I can't tell you yet. I just recently brought in outside bloodlines.
I bought one chocolate otter buck maybe 5 months ago and a black otter at Convention last month. The first buck has kits that are 10-12 weeks old, and the Convention buck hasn't been bred yet... although he seems to have made it through his quarantine period with no issues, so that is about to change!
:mrgreen: I think I will reserve the decision until I breed a doe kit back to the sire to see what that brings out.
I ask only because I have a buck that I have bred to each of does and got nothing from those crosses. It wasn't until I crossed them to other bucks that got any litters.
MamaSheepdog
Well-known member
Ah- well that's different. Do you know how old he is? Could he have had heat sterility? Have you checked him for a split penis?
He is 2 1/2 years old. He does not have a split and he also has both "bits". He works hard but I am getting nothing from him. I would allow for 2-3 fall offs per doe at one doe per day for 4 days. I would think that something would have taken by now though. :shrug:
