This might hurt a little?

[Gearmpr]

I have New Zealand females (5months) and I just aquired a male Flemish giant who is also 5months (about 10lbs) and not quite breeding ready either. However when they finally reach maturity, do y'all think it'll be ok to breed a male Flemish giant with a female New Zealand, and/or will the babies be too big to birth?

 

[akane]

The female has more impact on size so it's *usually* OK. I've crossed mini and dwarf breeds and had a mini Rex bred by a new Zealand sized breed without problems. However there is more risk. It would not be a good idea to cross an important doe to a much larger buck just for the hell of it.

 

[Gearmpr]

So you think the deed itself could be hazardous, not necessarily the size of the babies?

 

[Miss M]

I don't think so... NZs aren't wisps by any measure. I think she'd be fine. Just watch, to make sure he's being normal with her.

 

[Gearmpr]

I don't think so... NZs aren't wisps by any measure. I think she'd be fine. Just watch, to make sure he's being normal with her.

Good good, I'm glad to hear that. I've had cows die from calving calfs who were too big. I just don't want that to happen with my rabbits

 

[akane]

Mating is not usually the problem. The opposite with small bucks and big does is a lot more difficult. The risk lies with kindling and properly feeding the offspring. Size of kits and size of litters is mostly determined by the doe but there is some risk.

 

[Gearmpr]

Ohh ok so it should be less risky when the doe is smaller than the buck, unless there's a huge difference in size.

 

[Miss M]

I thought the risk came with a doe that was much smaller than the buck, Akane?... :stars:

 

[DumansArk]

Mating is not usually the problem. The opposite with small bucks and big does is a lot more difficult.

I'll jump in here and say that the way I read this was the actual act of breeding isn't a problem for big bucks/small does, while it is difficult to achieve with something like a Mini Rex to an English Lop. (Not dangerous, just difficult)

But sounds like your experience with cattle has you set right Gearmpr. Just like other livestock, a big male mated to a small female runs the risk of Dystocia.

Although sad cases happen, sad cases can happen with any breed and any breed-crossing. But in the case of Flemish to NZ, that is done frequently and with few birthing disaster horror stories. Like Miss M said, NZs are built tough and they aren't tiny by any means.

 

[Gearmpr]

I feel much better, glad to know my rabbits will be ok. I'll be sure to keep a CLOSE eye on her when she's due though, might have to pluck some babies outta her. But I hope not.

 

[Zass]

FG/ NZ crosses are fairly common.
As far as I've seen, the kits often grow well, but never reach anywhere near the adult size of FGs. They are just...typical meat kits, which a good sized NZ doe can easily handle.