Myth or fact.... No breeding does first time after 1 yr

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

One other thing... this time of year Extra lighting might be necessary. In 'nature' the season of less light tells the pituitary gland to secrete less hormones that stimulate breeding urges. We keep lights on in our barn to 'trick' the pituitary. That helps keep interest in breeding a bit higher.

This is one of those MYths OUT THERE.

 

[-HRanchito]

One other thing... this time of year Extra lighting might be necessary. In 'nature' the season of less light tells the pituitary gland to secrete less hormones that stimulate breeding urges. We keep lights on in our barn to 'trick' the pituitary. That helps keep interest in breeding a bit higher.

This is one of those MYths OUT THERE.

Well, I know it works for chickens, at least..and kinda opposite for sheep, less light = breeding time..wild rabbits breed all year, though, don't they? The cottontails are practically building a city in our back yard b/c they like the real estate behind the coyote fence.

 

[skysthelimit]

One other thing... this time of year Extra lighting might be necessary. In 'nature' the season of less light tells the pituitary gland to secrete less hormones that stimulate breeding urges. We keep lights on in our barn to 'trick' the pituitary. That helps keep interest in breeding a bit higher.

This is one of those MYths OUT THERE.

Well, I know it works for chickens, at least..and kinda opposite for sheep, less light = breeding time..wild rabbits breed all year, though, don't they? The cottontails are practically building a city in our back yard b/c they like the real estate behind the coyote fence.

I would say, since the natural habitat is underground burrows.

 

[akane]

Wild rabbits don't breed in winter here even when the weather remains mild. They only breed in spring and early summer. There are no baby rabbits after early fall. It's considered standard around here that lighting is needed to keep rabbit breeding.

 

[3mina]

Wild rabbits don't breed in winter here even when the weather remains mild. They only breed in spring and early summer. There are no baby rabbits after early fall. It's considered standard around here that lighting is needed to keep rabbit breeding.

Same here unless the rabbitry has light. The light drops drastically from September til February if we're lucky usually March giving us a five month breeding season if the rabbits are outside without extra light.

 

[skysthelimit]

Interesting. I don't provide light really, but the windows let in the street lights. Perhaps the streetlights offer enough light.<br /><br />__________ Sun Dec 02, 2012 9:24 pm __________<br /><br />They bred fine all winter long last year.

 

[cowgirl9768]

Wild rabbits don't breed in winter here even when the weather remains mild. They only breed in spring and early summer. There are no baby rabbits after early fall. It's considered standard around here that lighting is needed to keep rabbit breeding.

Same here unless the rabbitry has light. The light drops drastically from September til February if we're lucky usually March giving us a five month breeding season if the rabbits are outside without extra light.

This is also commen in CO I do have 14 hours of light on her but only started that about 3 days ago after talking to some of my breeder friends. Fingures crossed!

 

[ZRabbits]

Fingers crossed!

Karen

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

well, I have proven this.. I use to be a commercial rabbitry.. I had over 200 rabbits. so breeding was one of my main thing. The rabbits new when it was light or not outside. They are not like birds when they need more light to trick them to keep laying. The rabbits slow down in the winter and in hot weather. Just like dogs. just because it is winter they dont stop coming in heat. It is the same with rabbits. Rabbits do come in season every 3 weeks. By checking there vulva you know when to breed. Some will show more than others. If they have bad ear mites. They will not breed, If they are sick in any way they will not breed. I had all my rabbits in a barn. I had the lights on a timer. 16 hours to be exact. Then i did the natural way . I had windows and large door on the front. I would open them when i can. In the end. There was no difference in the breeding with lights on and lights off. Actually rabbits were way more active in the dark .. Rabbit are night owls..up all night and sleep all day. Lights on or not they still did this.
Now my rabbits are outside. The day lights are about 8 hours .. I just had 2 litters born. And you can breed back the rabbit after it kindles. If it goes by light .. Then wouldnt do that. I have a rabbit that will not breed no matter what the lighting is. Some will lift even if pregnant and some will not. It is just the rabbit ... The cold will slow them down and the time of year. It is just instincts for them to do so. Not because of lighting.

__________ Mon Dec 03, 2012 7:23 am __________

Well, I know it works for chickens,

yes it does.

 

[GBov]

slide your hand under her belly and hips and place your thumb and index finger on eather side of her vent(and a little under it), this puts her in the corect posistion. Of corse while holding her by the scruff. I have to do this with 3 of the 4 that i have. one of my bucks dident like me in there so he would mount, touch my arm with his paw, climb off and look at me,then start grooming her. As soon as i let go he would chase her around. This went on for about 2 to 3 weeks. finaly he did the deed so he doesent mind as much any more. I found this book called Raising Rabbits The Mdern Wy, by Bob Bennit. It's WONDERFUL!! Lots of info, then I found rabbit talk.

Thanks for this! I was wondering why my attempts to "help" a buck wernt helping but my hand was in the wrong place so shall try again today.