| Breeding: By Marg Lawton, courtesy of the Ohio State Rabbit Breeders Association Things to remember: |
Know why you are breeding, decide correct parents, know what you will do with the babies.
Check all animals thoroughly before breeding.
Breed only healthy, happy, well conditioned animals.
Always introduce the doe to the buck (take her to him).
Keep the doe's cage clean and keep her well fed and watered. Keep her stress to a minimum.
Do not show her after the second week of conception.
Give her a clean nest box about 25 days after she is bred. Provide plenty of clean bedding.
Be sure the box is properly placed and that the doe is not laying in it or using it as a potty.
Bunnies will probably be born 28-33 days after breeding (usually 31) probably at night or
mid-afternoon. Does prefer privacy during birth.
When the doe has completed giving birth and is calmly eating, praise her, pet her, and gently
check the nest for live offispring. Remove any dead or mutilated babies, as leaving them in the
nest can cause disease. ( I then give the doe her favorite treat.)
Increase a doe's feed while she is nursing. Keep her in good condition, don't let her lose
excessive weight.
When the babies begin to come out of the nest box, increase feed to allow them to eat pellets
as well as mom's milk.
At all times during nursing and weaning, keep straw [or hay] in the pen to provide fiber and
assist in the prevention of enteritis.
When weaning, take mom from the babies. After a few days, separate bucks from does. Later
separate each to a separate pen.
Check all animals thoroughly before breeding.
Breed only healthy, happy, well conditioned animals.
Always introduce the doe to the buck (take her to him).
Keep the doe's cage clean and keep her well fed and watered. Keep her stress to a minimum.
Do not show her after the second week of conception.
Give her a clean nest box about 25 days after she is bred. Provide plenty of clean bedding.
Be sure the box is properly placed and that the doe is not laying in it or using it as a potty.
Bunnies will probably be born 28-33 days after breeding (usually 31) probably at night or
mid-afternoon. Does prefer privacy during birth.
When the doe has completed giving birth and is calmly eating, praise her, pet her, and gently
check the nest for live offispring. Remove any dead or mutilated babies, as leaving them in the
nest can cause disease. ( I then give the doe her favorite treat.)
Increase a doe's feed while she is nursing. Keep her in good condition, don't let her lose
excessive weight.
When the babies begin to come out of the nest box, increase feed to allow them to eat pellets
as well as mom's milk.
At all times during nursing and weaning, keep straw [or hay] in the pen to provide fiber and
assist in the prevention of enteritis.
When weaning, take mom from the babies. After a few days, separate bucks from does. Later
separate each to a separate pen.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
