Some advice please..

[jennihopps]

Hi, my name is Jenni and I am new to this site.

I was just hoping to find some advice on the following..I am not a breeder, just have 2 pet rabbits that have now had babies!!

So..
The babies were born on 24/25 February. We removed the Dad as soon as the babies were born and he is now in another hutch.

We had the Dad castrated on 4th March. We have let them both out to have a run around the garden and no problems.

He really doesn't seem very happy being on his own in another hutch so I have been trying to find out when he can go back in with the doe and the babies? They are 3 weeks old this week and are both doing really well and have been out of the nest and hopping around the hutch.

I seem to find that different sites say different things so would really like the help from a breeder.

Thank you

Jenni

 

[Dood]

Your vet probably recommended to keep the buck quiet for at least 14 days to allow him to heal so don't let him with the doe and kits for at least a week.

I don't know how long sperm can remain viable in the vas deferens of rabbits but a quick search says 21 to 45 days :shrug:

There is a good possibility she got pregnant again right after giving birth so you may have more kits in 10 days.

I would start taking the doe out over night and into her own cage to start weaning the current litter

 

[ottersatin]

It's just my opinion,
so take it for what it is. As a breeder I feel that each Rabbit should be housed in it's own cage/territory. As was said, you will most likely have another litter born within 27 to 31 days from the date the first litter was born. To be on the safe side I would house the Doe in her own cage, give her a nestbox, ample amounts of grass-hay for nest building and await the next happy arrival.
Since you want to house your rabbits together in one cage, [Not the best thing in MPO]
you should have both of the rabbits fixed. Like I stated, JMPO, to each their own.
We all must do what we feel is best for those in our charge.
Ottersatin. ldtimer:

 

[Zass]

Does can be very territorial, so be VERY careful with putting him in her cage. Rabbits are a little unpredictable (and violent) in their social behavior.

I'm going to go ahead and agree with the others that waiting at least another two weeks to make sure she wasn't re-bred immediately after kindling.

 

[Marinea]

Going with what Dood said, if the doe and buck were allowed to run around together shortly after the buck was fixed, that could result in a litter as well. You could end up with a litter any time from the end of this month until the end of April.

Keep in mind that, depending on your rabbits' breed, the kits could also breed sometime in the next 12 weeks or so. You should really make plans for the kits now.

You will likely not find many breeders who will advocate keeping all of them together, unless in a colony situation, involving a lot more space than a typical hutch. Most breeders keep their rabbits singularly, to prevent just the types of situations you are facing. In your case, just because your doe and buck have bonded, doesn't mean either of them will bond with the kits as they grow. I would keep the buck separate, and plan to wean and separate the kits in a couple of weeks.