Well the deed is done, I hope. Now the count down

[ZRabbits]

Today I decided to put my buck and doe Lion heads together. Seems like a good date (my son's birthday) to see if life will be created on this day.

Didn't go for the buck cage. Decided to go with my x-pen. Put Neville in first, as suggested with the bunny run outside. Then after about 10 minutes, I put Luna in. Well, let's just say Luna was ready. She was the one that started humping Neville's head. Pulled her off. Well, Neville got the idea and started humping Luna's head. Pulled him off and then he got it right. She lifted, he grunted and fell off. We were both laughing. They both did it again, Neville grunted and fell off. But after that Luna started to thump to keep him away. I figured she had enough.

Hoping this is the start of baby lion heads. Will know in a month. Will keep you posted. Thanks all for the great suggestions and also the push to start.

Karen

 

[Bad Habit]

*hugs tight* My best thoughts with you today, and hoping for a healthy delivery in 31 days. I'll be counting down as well, and will expect to see a ton of pictures when they're born!

 

[ZRabbits]

Thanks so much. Glad to hear I have someone, other than my husband, with me counting down the days. Truly nervous about this. Hope all goes well. And can post tons of pics of healthy kits and healthy Mom.

This is the first time I've ever bred anything. Neville and Luna made it pretty easy for me for their first time. No fighting or chasing at all. Wham bam thank you Ma'am. She let out a few thumps after the second encounter, which is her way of saying she's not happy. She didn't try to attack at all.

Karen

 

[Bad Habit]

If I kept any sort of calendar, I'd be marking the date right now, lol. So excited to see someone else's lionhead kits compared to mine.

Of course healthy mum and babies are both more important than anything else, but hopefully the easy breeding is a sign of everything else going easily as well. They're both such lovely rabbits, they're sure to make lovely babies.

It's always fun to breed and bring new life into the world. When I was a kid we had a lot of kittens - had a queen who regularly produced 2 litters a year. I've done guineas as well(accidental due to a misidentification at the pet store), and fish(which were actually pretty difficult!) Rabbits are pretty easy, all things considered. I'm sure that Luna will have an easy delivery

 

[tm_bunnyloft]

I am so excited for you. I wish we could all push the days along faster to kindling. I have not patience at all when it comes to this sort of thing. I will be on the edge of my seat waiting right along with you.

 

[ZRabbits]

If I kept any sort of calendar, I'd be marking the date right now, lol. So excited to see someone else's lionhead kits compared to mine.

Of course healthy mum and babies are both more important than anything else, but hopefully the easy breeding is a sign of everything else going easily as well. They're both such lovely rabbits, they're sure to make lovely babies.

It's always fun to breed and bring new life into the world. When I was a kid we had a lot of kittens - had a queen who regularly produced 2 litters a year. I've done guineas as well(accidental due to a misidentification at the pet store), and fish(which were actually pretty difficult!) Rabbits are pretty easy, all things considered. I'm sure that Luna will have an easy delivery

Date already marked in my mind. This date, September 3rd, will never be forgotten. No calendar needed. But marked our house calendar just the same, lol.

I think Luna will do well. I'm just nervous that's all. Probably for nothing. But I've seen good things go bad real fast. I know rabbits have been having babies for millions of years. Luna will do just fine.

Can't wait to see what these two produce.

Karen

 

[MamaSheepdog]

What a wonderful way to memorialize your son's birthday. You will have to name the kits after his favorite things. I know this must be a very painful day for you, but I am glad the bunnehs were able to bring some laughter to you today. :grouphug2:

I am sure Luna will be just fine. I can't wait to see the kits! Congratulations on your foray into breeding.

 

[6riversfarms]

I sure hope to be seeing some pictures of some Lionhead babies in a month or so. Good Luck!!!

 

[ZRabbits]

Woke up this morning, and found Luna who greeted me at the door of her crate as usual. So thrilled she wasn't traumatized. Neville, well, he's got a Big Grin on his face. Maybe it's my imagination, but he seems very pleased with himself.

Question? Do you start counting the day of the "act" or the day after? Just wondering.

I'm so glad that it went so well. No fighting at all. Having two rabbits, with no experience, and no experience on our part, it went rather well. Was sweet to watch Neville groom Luna after the act. Luna totally submitted. First time I've seen her totally submitted.

Karen

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Do you start counting the day of the "act" or the day after?

The day of. Rabbits are induced ovulators, and I believe ovulation occurs 8-10 hours after "the act".

 

[Bad Habit]

30 more sleeps!!!!!

 

[ZRabbits]

Do you start counting the day of the "act" or the day after?

The day of. Rabbits are induced ovulators, and I believe ovulation occurs 8-10 hours after "the act".

Thanks Mamasheepdog, have it marked on the calendar for Sept 3rd.

Yep, Bad Habit, 30 more sleeps.

Karen<br /><br />__________ Sat Sep 08, 2012 5:49 pm __________<br /><br />Well, it's been 6 days. Luna doing well. No problems. But what so funny now is that she pulls everything out of the litter box to spread around the bottom of her crate. And if I go in there to clean, she gets peeved. The ears go back and she charges. No nips. Just a bluff. She's never done that before. Appears to be in a protective mode. And after I clean up, she just starts doing it all over again. She has a corner too that she constantly puts some of the bedding from her litter box.

I think she's just practicing. She's not pulling fur so I'm not concerned. If she was, she would definitely be bald by the time the babies really came. It's just been a constant habit now for 6 days. I come out in the morning and the whole bottom of her crate is covered. Even her bowls. We just have been making sure she has constant fresh water and hay.

Karen

 

[LindseysWoolies]

How is Luna doing today?

 

[ZRabbits]

How is Luna doing today?

Thanks Lindsey, she's doing very well. She was a bit excited, digging a lot for the past few days, but has calmed down a lot now. During the digging stage, she was very possessive of her crate, meaning she grunted at me a lot when I was trying to clean up her crate. Hopefully that's a sign of Mommyhood on the way. Seems very protective of her area, but that's calm down right now. So we will see. Don't know how to palpatate, but she does look a bit wider to me. And just not as active, but bright eyed and very attentive. Especially for goodies, lol.

Will see in 13 more days. Or if she's like most add 5 more days to that. Fingers crossed.

Karen

 

[Teddy2511]

Palpating is actually not quite as hard as it sounds... I found that it is best if you try palpating on an open doe first so that you can get a good "feel" of what is like in there. Then, when palpating the possibly pregnant doe, it should be pretty obvious when you feel the little "marbles" or "grapes" in there. I like to palpate at 14-16 days, and I'm guessing you're a little too far along for that, but here is a good article for next time http://www.arba.net/PDFs/palpation.pdf.

Good luck on the countdown!

 

[ZRabbits]

Thanks Teddy, appreciate the information. Excellent idea about feeling an opened doe first and then seeing if I can feel the "marbles or grapes" at 14 days.

Thanks for the luck on the countdown.

Karen

 

[Cindi Davis]

Count Down has commenced lookin forward to LH Kits, I use to have them a few years ago cute lil monkeys errrrr Rabbits

 

[ZRabbits]

Count Down has commenced lookin forward to LH Kits, I use to have them a few years ago cute lil monkeys errrrr Rabbits

Thanks Cindi, should be very interesting experience. I'd agree on the monkey part, but not my LH, though. Have a Flemish that loves to climb when treats are out.

Karen<br /><br />__________ Sun Sep 30, 2012 7:44 am __________<br /><br />Well will be cleaning Luna's crate today and will be putting in a nest box tomorrow. It will be the 29th day on Oct 1st. We shall see what happens. My husband thinks she is. I don't think she's pregnant. Just don't think I'm that lucky for the first time breeding rabbits to take. But we shall see.

Karen

 

[Bad Habit]

I'm positive she is... and if she's not, you can come get Lily.

 

[ZRabbits]

I'm positive she is... and if she's not, you can come get Lily.

I'll just show Luna the threads of all the babies Lily has had. Maybe that will start a competition mode in Luna. Or she could say, have to wait. It's her body, she'll have them when she wants too. lol.

Will see. If not, Neville gets to try again! I know he'll be happy about that. lol

Karen