Passive Buck and Stubborn Does

[S&SFarms]

I've only been doing this for a year now. We've had three litters between my two does. (French Angora)

The first time, both does were table bred by someone with more experience than I.

Second time was an oops, so who knows how they worked it out but she was bred!

I'm trying now because its been over a year since my REW was bred and I figure it's probably healthy for her to have another litter soon. My broken fawn's oops litter is now about two months old, so should be fine to be bred, and the last time we had to foster some of the REW's kits to her so I'm thinking I'll probably need her to foster again.

But the buck is so passive! I know he can do it, but when I take the does to him they're so uncooperative he tries a few times and gives up. I end up with two buns on opposite ends of the cage wanting nothing to do with each other.
I've tried 'helping' but I think I just make everybody's aim worse. I've done ACV in the water, misted the does with lavender essential oil. The looked ready a few days ago!

Advice? (And I don't mind waiting on them, but I just don't want the REW to go too long and I am trying to breed within my schedule, ya know?) (and unfortunately no, I don't have access to a more... agressive buck.)

 

[macksmom98]

I have an older Holland Lop who doesn't get too excited when I bring the Does to his cage, and I also give him ACV (as with all my animals) daily with water. I found that he really likes to mate in the backyard, in a contained area. Something about scampering around and the feel of freedom seem to turn him on, lol

 

[Ramjet]

Are they over weight ? Fat rabbits are notoriously hard to get bred.

If they are far put them on a diet & give them acv & a small piece of fresh ginger root daily. Its supposedly an aphrodisiac.

 

[TxAlan]

How much ACV do you use. I have a lazy Californian buck that was herd buck at his last home. He is only 2 yrs old so he isn't too old. Someone else said withhold feed a couple of days then only feed after he breds the doe. I guess they mean train him that sex = food....

 

[Ramjet]

How much ACV do you use. I have a lazy Californian buck that was herd buck at his last home. He is only 2 yrs old so he isn't too old. Someone else said withhold feed a couple of days then only feed after he breds the doe. I guess they mean train him that sex = food....

Give him a small piece of ginger root daily .... Its an aphrodisiac & they love it.

 

[macksmom98]

I have a standard size hanging water bottle, so I just put in a capful or so......I would think it may be harmful to withhold all feed, it seems he would need to eat something to keep his digestive tract moving, but I have never had to go to such measures. Maybe it works.

 

[Zass]

Someone else said withhold feed a couple of days then only feed after he breds the doe. I guess they mean train him that sex = food....

I would suggest NEVER withholding a rabbit's feed for several days.

Due to their specialized digestive process, Rabbits need to keep their intestinal motility active.

Gastrointestinal slowdown can far too easily lead to bacterial overgrowth, which can cause gas, bacterial toxins, or possibly even fatal bloat.
Untreated gas can also cause a rabbit to refuse feed, which would result in further slowdown.
Enough slowdown and you get stasis.
GI stasis results in death.

GI problems might actually be one of the most common causes of death for domestic rabbits, probably only second to being harvest for their meat.

 

[TxAlan]

Well, I guess food training is out. That leaves ACV and ginger root or stew pot. Awfully expensive price per pound... Guess I could try some oyster juice over his feed..lol. The original owner has agreed to provide breeding on our show breed date if he hasn't started acting right by then, so that problem is solved.

Thanks for the advice/responses.

 

[imajpm]

I have a rather gentlemanly buck who gives up easily. With does who play hard to get I pop them both into an outdoor "playpen" and leave them there. I've never had it take more than a few hours before they are getting romantic but by the time the playpen is out the doe has already had numerous unsuccessful trips to his hutch so may already be somewhat in the mood. Those does seem to like the room and grass. The buck seems to feel less pressure. He is the slow grooming less aggressive type buck. <br /><br /> -- Mon Oct 05, 2015 10:03 am -- <br /><br /> The pen is 3 x 5 with a lid.

 

[wamplercathy]

Flippy Floppy cages. Him to hers and her to his. Allow to sit over night and introduce doe to him, in her original cage, the next day or wait a few days. That's how I had to do with coconut(d) and cumin(b). Coconut put him in the "friend zone" and he just excepted it. Well till I Flippy, Floppied. Then she was angry with both of us. :lol: :lol: I had the worst time trying to get her breed. Finally I accepted Grumpy's offer to switch her with another doe. And wouldn't you know it he was able to get her breed. Rabbits :lol: :lol:

 

[Zass]

"Just keep trying" is my usual advice.

If they do not seem in the mood, try again a few days later.

I tend to believe that a focus on overall heath gets you further than aphrodisiacs.

 

[S&amp;SFarms]

I did give up for a while. But Friday the 13th of all days I do think they all finally cooperated. I could only get the buck to cover each once before he seemed to worn out, but as far as I could tell it looked like everything was in the right place.
I wish I knew what worked! But at least it seems to have.

 

[wamplercathy]

I give my buck a shredded wheat bite after mating or after mounting if the doe is unresponsive. The doe gets one after breeding.
https://www.aldi.us/en/grocery-home/ald ... at-cereal/

Also give as a treat after they get their nails done. Helps to buy their forgiveness. :lol: :lol:

My rabbits love them. I add a kissy sound as I give the treat and they all lose their minds. :lol: :lol: At least if one ever gets out catching it should be easy. :lol: :lol:

I'd give him at least one more crack at each doe. From my experience once doesn't get the job done. I shoot for 3 full covers.
Just a thought,
Cathy