The Bunny Boogie....making it happen

[azbowhunter]

Gang, today, I put my proven doe in with my proven buck, but I'm not totally sure they "proved" anything.
So, I need a little guidance and information from someone more knowledgeable in this department.
He mounted her, but the "fall over" didn't happen.
He hit it twice, then she got irritated with him and wasn't having anything to do with him.
So, I put her back into her own cage.
I checked her vent, and it was moderately pink by my eye, which is what I understand to be appropriate for breeding.
However, that being said, I've never seen what full "heat" in a rabbit looks like, so I have nothing to compare it to.
At risk of sounding pervy, does anyone have an example of what the vent looks like when a rabbit is ready to breed?
Not exactly what I wanted to ask on a family oriented forum, but it's knowledge I need if I'm going to find success in this adventure.
Thanks in advance!
D

 

[Miss M]

Yes, in fact, here is the thread: judging-a-doe-s-readiness-and-breeding-tips-t9869.html

This is a family-oriented forum, but many of us are teaching our children animal husbandry, so it's okay to discuss such things here.

(I actually have never checked for readiness myself. )

 

[azbowhunter]

Miss M,
Thanks for that link!
It's precisely what I was looking for knowledge wise!
Yeah, I think we have a fail for this morning's bunny boogie, unfortunately.
However, now that I know what I'm looking for with regard to her being ready to receive, I'll be checking every couple days to make this happen!

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

I'd check every day for a few days, they change SOOOOOO fast. I had one doe go from white-ish in color to deep purple in three days once!!! And boy howdy was she ready for a buck by that point...

 

[Miss M]

You're very welcome, I'm glad it was helpful!

Better luck with the boogie next time! :lol:

 

[MaggieJ]

Next time, watch the doe's hindquarters when they are boogying. At the critical moment, she should lift her hindquarters to help him out. Once you've observed this, you will be able to better judge whether or not it is a successful breeding.

We have no objection, as Miss M said, to factual information relating to rabbit breeding. We do avoid the overtly vulgar, but the kids need to learn the facts of life and matter-of-fact discussion is just fine.

 

[mmsa417]

I can help with this as I just had a very stubborn doe who took a week to get bred. I got several suggestions from different breeders and while I can't tell you which one ultimately worked (it's possible they all contributed), I can give you some ideas.

1) Keep the lights on longer - supposedly this helps simulate spring time daylight and makes them feel safer having a litter. I just kept the lights on a good 14-15 hours a day, but it was suggested to leave them on at least 3 days in a row prior to breeding. They don't have to be strong lights, can just be a lamp too - although in my case I just kept the overhead lights on.

2) Apple cider vinegar in the water. Can't remember the exact ratio as I just added a couple drops to the water bottle, but I think it's something like a teaspoon or tablespoon per gallon? Someone else help me out with this if you know.

3) If you can, put the buck next to the doe's cage or vice versa. I did this about 4 days before I got them to breed.

4) Some suggested switching the buck and doe's cage for 3 straight hours so they they can get ready by smelling the others scent. Tried this, but it didn't work for me.

5) This may or may not be relevant, but is worth mentioning because it's something I did do and they bred the next night. But I noticed after continually checking the doe, that she had a little bit of brown in her scent glands. I cleaned them out and she had some hard nodules stuck in there. I had wondered if maybe it wasn't bothering her and getting her out of the mood..hah.


And keep trying to breed them and checking her vent to see if she's a little more receptive. In my case, the doe kept running, but wouldn't get aggressive or upset. When she was ready finally, I practically threw a party.

 

[azbowhunter]

I'm going to give her until tomorrow before I check again, more to save wear and tear on my own body than hers.
I take great comfort with this huge and very informative response chain in helping me get it right for my buns.
It's better to get it done well, make a few non-lethal mistakes, and LEARN from them all, I think.
Having such a knowledgeable and broadly experienced community to share information (learn from) with is enormously helpful!
Thanks!
D

 

[mmsa417]

Good luck! I know the first time I bred, it was so easy that I thought they'd all be like that. Sure learned that it wasn't like that for all of them! Oh another tip too - a lot of people suggest breeding after a car ride.

 

[paradox]

When we have one that isn't receptive we put her back in her own cage and then bring her back to the buck 3 days later. Being in with the buck the first time should get her started, then a few days later she should be all ready. Sometimes they need a little time to warm up.

 

[owlsfriend]

I've heard of good results with putting the doe on a running clothes dryer for a while, vibration + warmth seems to do the trick....some think it's hooey, some swear by it. I've never tried it.