How much time to give the buck before introducing does?

[FajerFarm]

Hey guys and gals!

I've got a buck that I got two weeks or so ago. I "free range" my three ladies in a 30x30 foot pen right now. When I got the buck, I just threw him in there with the ladies, and the ladies did their territorial thing and ate his little behind all up. Last week, I sectioned off a little run for the buck inside the pen with some chicken wire, so he's been meeting and greeting with the ladies through the fence for about a week now.

I've never bred rabbits before, but I understand that you're supposed to bring the doe the bucks "territory" so that the doe doesn't get all territorial.

My question is, how long do you need to wait for the buck to establish a given territory as his own? Is a week long enough?

Thanks for your help!

 

[DarayTala]

When I put my colony together I was also told to let the buck establish territory first so the does are less likely to fight with him. I was told to leave him in for at least a day, but due to a lack of place to keep the does aside from cramped transport cages, I ended up putting them in with him after about six hours. They all got along great and I had no trouble with fighting the whole time I had them. I know its different for each rabbit, so you never know for sure until you try, but I would say a week is more than long enough.

 

[AnnClaire]

Fajer, I would suggest that you move the does to the bucks run and put him in the larger pen for a day all by himself. Then, move the dominate doe in with the buck and let them settle things. Then, you can add the rest of the does as they will fall in line with the dominate doe. Also, provide some sort of hidey-hole for the does to get away from the buck if they want.

The only issue with a colony for me is the question of when breeding takes place and when litters are due.