Breeding rabbits-breeders advice?

Question

i got my bunnies a week ago (boy and girl) and bonded them properly and everything. when i got them i wanted to have just one litter with them before i sterilize the boy and i already have homes for all the babies. they hump all the time, i try not to break it up because when it is this young its just dominance, but when is the age that she can get pregnant?

how do i know if she is pregnant?

should i separate them when i know shes pregnant or after shes had the babies?

(ive got two cages)

i would love a breeders advice on separation and sterilization of my buck.

also..ive got a dwarf lop and dwarf x mini lop bunny

would this make a pure breed? or just a pet qualility rabbit?

Answer 1

Without pedigrees, your rabbits will just be pet quality.  A dwarf x mini lop is like a crossbreed dog and won't be worth breeding from a breeder's standpoint.  A rabbit without a pedigree cannot demonstrate at least 4 generations of a recognized breed and would not be a desirable purchase for breeding.

When I breed, I put the doe into the buck's cage for a 24 hour period of time.  This is all that it takes, and any longer with the buck only stresses the doe.

The only certain way to tell if a doe is carrying is to palpate her sides.  Unborn kits feel alot like marbles at about 2 weeks gestation.

Your rabbits are probably physically capable of reproducing by around 4 months of age, but I do not recommend breeding a rabbit any younger than 6-8 months.  The doe needs some time to grow and get close to her adult size, as gestation and lactation are very stressful on their bodies.

Separate them immediately and do not put the buck in with her after she has weaned her young.  Better yet, if he's not neutered, don't put them back together at all.

Gestation is 28-31 days.  The kits need to stay with the mother for 6 weeks, although I often leave doe kits with the mother for longer, particularly if she's been a good brood doe.  Buck kits need to be removed from the nest cage no later than 7-8 weeks, or you may have an unfortunate incest incident.

If you intend to keep them separate, neutering your male isn't necessary.  Rabbits are naturally solitary creatures and do not need a companion.  You can always put their cages side by side so they can interact without any more breeding.  However, your little buck might also decide that it's time to start spraying urine (now that he knows he's a stud, he may want to show it by peeing everywhere).  You may need to have him neutered to stop or prevent this behavior, and urine guards help considerably.

I'm glad you have homes for the babies, but in the future, enjoy your pets as pets only.  Breeding can be very stressful on their bodies, particularly if you don't have the husbandry experience to make sure they're in prime condition prior to conception.  There are lots of rabbits at rescues and shelters waiting for homes - please leave the breeding to the breeders!