Failed Breeding... suggestions?

[WildWolf]

So, I want to breed my proven doe (she's had 2 litters) to my buck who hasn't had any successful breedings. They were bred a month ago, but it was unsuccessful (he mounted 3 times, never fell off. I thought maybe it took, so I waited, and now I know she's not pregnant.)

The doe's privates are bright pink, so she's starting her "cycle". The buck mounts her, but is never successful. I think he aims too high? Plus, I think she might not be making it easy- I know she doesn't plaster her butt to the floor, but she only lifted once. Once, she ran while he attempted... He mounted her 3 times, but never once fell off. He also seems to give up easily. He sniffs her, then goes and eats some hay, and comes back only after I prod him over. I brought her to him, and then about an hour later tried again, but he still never fell off and gave up quickly (he just layed down next to her).

Should I just keep trying? For how long/often?
Would it be OK if I just wait until she's at the peak of her "cycle" (when she's purple), even though he mounted her three times already?

Silly wabbits; rabbits are supposed to, you know, breed like rabbits!

 

[a7736100]

If they get along and don't fight I'd just let them live together till she gets bitchy.

 

[BusterHill]

My young bucks are like that, if i have a hard to breed doe and a buck that gives in easily usually because they get tired, i look first to see if they are overweight, if i dont think thats it, then i throw several does into the buck one at a time but frequently, i let him attempt but not finish, (I dont do it one after another i wait a bit first sometimes i do this over afew days until i see a change in behavior) once hes good and frustrated and really trying i throw the doe i want bred in and i hold her if she runs..

For my does I had a sterile buck that was an aggressive breeder id throw her in with him first let him cover them once or twice then throw them right away to the buck i want her to breed with, the other bucks smell males the other buck more aggressive to breed also, but usually the doe is more accepting.... I recently lost that buck though, so I have to have a new game plan :/

 

[WildWolf]

Thanks for that advice. I do have another doe I want bred to him (it would be her first time breeding though...). I'll just keep trying. But is it OK to continue to try for a few days? I thought there might be a problem with having eggs fertilized at different times... or is there no way that she's bred unless he falls off?

 

[3mina]

This is where learning to palpate comes in. 10-14 days after service you take the doe, restrain her on a solid nonslip surface (I like carpet squares on cage tops) and feel her abdomen gently but firmly between your fingers & thumb. You do this from vent to ribs, spine to belly button. If you feel hard little lumps along the spine that's poo, kits feel like grapes in both size and firmness.

Now having said all that, I've never been able to feel more than the doe is 'full' but some people can count them and know how many kits they're getting but my fingers just aren't that educated yet.

Try it first on your buck so you know what empty feels like

 

[Bandits Bunny Farm]

Try it first on your buck so you know what empty feels like

When I first got my rabbits, my Mini Rex doe was about 1 week along (by request) after about another week, I palpated her without first doing my buck. I was able to feel babies. For me, It's more of a " you know it when you feel it" experience

 

[CochinBrahmaLover]

Regarding the 'falling off', my 2 1/2 year old buck who hardly ever falls off. He's had 3 pregnancies plus some prior to us owning him (the pregnancies didn't work out, however it was the does fault). Some bucks are strange.

 

[WildWolf]

OK, thanks everyone! I didn't realize that some bucks simply don't fall off. I have palpated before- and I've felt babies,I just couldn't count them...
Today I tried again. She sat still for him, and cuddled, but didn't lift. He didn't really even try mounting, just cuddling. So, maybe the previous times were successful, and he just didn't fall off?

I did the wait-until-palpation idea a month ago, when I had the same problem with him (mounting, without falling off). I'll palpate her 10-14 days from and report back. Hopefully, he's just a weird buck that doesn't fall off and the breeding was successful.