Picking up new rabbits

[Duckcomando]

Getting my stock tomorrow. I'm picking up a trio of New Zealand Reds out of South Arkansas. All 3 will come with Pedigrees. We will start breeding as soon as the bunnies are old enough. I was told today the buck is around 3 months and the does around 2 months. I will post pics tomorrow when I get them.

How old should they be before breeding?

 

[OneAcreFarm]

You will get lots of different answers. My usual answer is this...when THEY are ready. At least 4mos for does and 5mos for bucks...I know that will make some folks nervous, but since I started breeding earlier, I almost never lose a first litter. Most of my does are bred between 4.5 to 5 mos. I start checking vent color at 16 wks and put them in with a buck when I see dark pink/purple. If they lift easily, good! If not, I take them out and wait a week, then try again.

 

[3mina]

They should be at least 75% of senior weight and when they're ready.
Keep an eye on the does vent colour, dark pink to purple moist and engorged is what you're looking for. If the does are around two months you've got two to three months, if not more, before they breed, depending on the lines they come from. Make sure they don't get fat and you'll be ahead of the game when it comes time to breed.

 

[OneAcreFarm]

They should be at least 75% of senior weight and when they're ready.

I always forget to say that, since my are usually at or near senior weight by 4mos or so...but not all lines are going to grow like that. The one thing I *can* tell you is that early breeding does NOT stunt their growth. I have a Cal doe right now that I bred the first time at 19 wks....she was over 8lbs at the time. She is now about 10 mos old and weighs 11lbs 13oz and is NOT fat...she is just a big doe.

 

[Duckcomando]

I read somewhere 1/2 cup of feed for every 5lbs of rabbit. Is that correct? I want to make sure I'm feeding enough but not to much. I also have hay for them as well.

 

[jollysrabbits]

its typically 1oz per lb but I free feed my rabbits until 6 months of age helps with their growth. After 6 months I watch what I feed, a fat doe won't take and fat buck don't perform well or tire too quickly.

 

[ZRabbits]

Congratulations on finding your rabbits! Have a safe trip and looking forward to seeing your NZ Reds. Good to hear you got them at a young age. You will be able to help them settle into their new environment, let them get to know you and then be able to then breed. I think that way you will be more successful.

Wishing you all the luck!

Karen

 

[Duckcomando]

Well I got the rabbits today. To bad it was dark when I got home so the pics will have to wait until tomorrow. The buck is a beauty. He is 4 moths old and really meaty. The 2 does are only 2 months old and they are a bit smaller than my buck. Only bad thing is they man I bought them from has over 200 rabbits so they are a little skiddish. I'm hoping that by me petting them everyday they will get rid of that and be coming to the cage when I go to feed and water.

 

[ZRabbits]

Glad to hear you had a safe trip and your rabbits are now home. Can't wait to see pics. I think with time the does will become less skittish. Take it slow at first. Talk to them while you are feeding and watering them. It's amazing how fast they get to know your voice. Let them smell your hands as you enter their cages, before petting. It gives a rabbit the chance to explore you and get to know your scent. Eventually they will realize that scent is not threatening.

I had to laugh when we went and picked up our Flemish. The breeder knew we were "pet" people and were very hands on with our rabbits. He apologized for not being "that" way, but watching him with his rabbits, all he had to do was tap the cage bottom and every rabbit came over for a pet. It's quality of time not quantity.

I think it's good you got them young. You got time before breeding for them to settle in. I think a rabbit that really is comfortable in its surroundings will be more productive for you. I only had one litter (have had my buck and doe since 6 weeks) and it went very smoothly. Pretty good for an unproven pair.

Wishing you all the luck with them.

Karen

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

for feeding i give a tuna can only once a day. No matter what your age is.I have given more and less and in the end it all works out the same. So if a mother has babies in the nest. She gets this twice a day and no more. if a mother with a litter . tHEN i go one can to every two rabbits in that cage .when the mother is weaned from the babies. She goes back down to a can ,once a day. But they get hay and flax seed , oats, oatmeal, boss and sunshine supplements. and any treats like romaine lettuce ect.
NZR need more time than 4 months old to breed. NZW you can do that with depending on the strain.They should be 5 months at least and bucks 6 months. NZR mature slower than the others. I use to raise them. It dosnt stunt there growth .. but it dosnt slow them down ..

 

[OneAcreFarm]

NZR need more time than 4 months old to breed. NZW you can do that with depending on the strain.They should be 5 months at least and bucks 6 months. NZR mature slower than the others. I use to raise them.

That is good to know, Mary Ann....thanks!

 

[3mina]

I'm hoping that by me petting them everyday they will get rid of that and be coming to the cage when I go to feed and water.

Don't forget to give them a little time to settle in first. Bribes work well, just remember small ones. Hay can be a bribe too if you feed it by hand.