Is my buck too small?

[RubyRed]

I have a 3lb, 2 yo buck and a 6lb, 5.5 mo doe and I’ve tried to breed them two times now. The buck has DEFINITELY been mounting and attempting to breed the doe but he can’t quite get to the right spot and I’m suspecting it might be because of the size difference. The doe also isn’t lifting well and doesn’t seem super interested although she is compliant. Do I have any luck getting these two to breed? My plans were to have my doe pregnant before October.

 

[GriffinBun101]

What breeds are they?

 

[ladysown]

Considering that I have bred a 2 lb rabbit with a 12 lb rabbit, it's not the size difference that is the issue. a 3 lb buck SHOULD be able to handle a 6 lb doe. My guess is they just are gelling at the right time.

 

[RubyRed]

They are both lops.

rabbit with a 12 lb rabbit, it's not the size difference that is the issue. a 3 lb buck SHOULD be able to handle a 6 lb doe. My guess is they just are gelling at the right time.

Is there anything I can do for next time to help with the breeding or do I just have to wait?

 

[ladysown]

You could hold the doe in exactly the right position. Or wait until the doe is definitively ready to breed. If a doe is very willing, even a tiny buck can usually find the spot. Blips can happen in the system, but generally speaking, if both parties are willing... the deed will happen. And sometimes, you help, just a little.

What I mean by that is....

One time I had a doe SUPER willing, to the point of wanting to be bossy with a tiny buck, I bred them in a short-walled xpen to keep her from jumping him and potentially hurting him. I also made sure he was straight on the doe and not offside at all. Whenever I do a small buck with a large doe I do a very supervised breeding to make sure that he doesn't get hurt and that everything is as easy as it can be for him.