Does won't take

[Breanna113]

I'm new to this forum, but we bought rabbits to breed for meat about 7 months ago. I have 2 nzw does, a nzb doe, a silver fox doe, and a nzw buck. I got our 3 nz does in July as well as a nzw buck. I waited until they we 7 months (October) to breed. I tried breeding two different does 3 weeks apart, and neither took. Our buck was killed, and we bought another, along with our silver fox. We've tried 5 times since he turned 7 months to breed, but still have no babies. I've even left a doe in for two days in an attempt for babies, but nothing. I've checked, they are all sexed correctly. I've seen him attempt to mount, but not actually successfully mount. (I have two small kids and I can't keep them out in the cold weather for an hour to watch). Often he will chase the doe for about 5 mins, unsuccessfully mounting a few times, then they just cuddle up together. What could be going wrong?

 

[Shorty]

Some rabbits just don't want to breed in winter. Sometimes adding a light on a timer to make their day longer helps

 

[SA Farm]

How is the weight of the buck? Some bucks don't have the endurance to figure things out when they are overweight. Are the does ready for him? Lifting, etc? (The light is only necessary for the does, the buck should be prepared/eager to breed year-round) If they're giving him a hard time and he's new to the whole procedure, he may be struggling, then giving up. If you've been trying for a long time and he is the problem, not the does, I would be inclined to replace him...

 

[Bunnylady]

Are you checking to make sure the does are ready before you put the doe in with the buck?

When you get the doe out, flip her over, and check her vulva. Press just in front of it (like you do when sexing young rabbits) so that some of the tissue lining it is exposed. Preferably, it will be cherry red and slightly swollen. If it is pale pink, you are most likely wasting your time. A doe who is showing a purplish color has passed her hormonal peak for this cycle; she may or may not breed like that. Some does never get really red; I've had some that never get darker than a deep rose color, so you kind of need to know your doe.

Rabbits are induced ovulators, which means that the doe ripens eggs and only releases them when she gets bred by the buck. This significantly increases the "window" for successful breeding, but there are still limits on the level of success. The red color is a doe with the "freshest" eggs, having just gotten to her hormonal peak; she represents your best chance for successful breeding. As a doe goes further into the cycle, the eggs age; fewer get released and their viability decreases, so even if the doe breeds, the litter size will probably be smaller.

 

[Breanna113]

Thanks for the info. I'm a new breeder, and just heard yesterday a doe even had to be ready. I assumed since they are induced ovulators, breeding was possible whenever. My buck is a healthy weight as well. He just seems to give up after a few minutes.
I Noticed yesterday my silver fox doe was exceptionally grumpy, trying to bite me, and even once growled at me. She has gained weight, but she also is quick to become overweight if she constantly has food in the cage. Thus she's on a mostly hay diet. Checking her out, I also noticed the hair under her chin slipping, but no where else. I put a nesting box in, since it would have been day 28, and put hay in it, since she's never had kits, as kind of an idea. Yesterday she was eating and pooping in it, today I went out to find it sculpted, and no poop. she has l larger hutch, 1/3 covered, 2/3 not, and the covered area has a wood base, which I have to clean the poop out of weekly. I had to put the nest box there so babies would be covered, and the nest box takes up 1/2 of it. Today she had actually pushed 3/4 of the poop out of it, into her open area. As far as the nest box, today it had hole in the middle, that appeared to be intentionally made, but I wasnt 100% sure. There was a corner in the circle missing hay, and I went back later and it had hay, as if she's been working on it.
I guess I'll see in the next few days. Gosh I hope so! The kids and I would be thrilled!

 

[Citylife]

Like mentioned the Does may require a bit more light to get them in the mood. Unfortunately cheese, crackers and wine doesn't work at all! My experience in 7 years the Buck may be a bit overweight. That is an easy fix. Cut his food in 1/2 for 3 days and then put the Doe in with him. You also may need to hold the doe down so he gets a better shot at it. He is also young, and some boys need more practice then others. My large breed rabbits get one cup of food per day. If, there is food in their feeder the next day, I make their portion smaller as they were not that hungry. A good rule of thumb, when you go to feed them and they are not acting hungry. Depending on their condition will depend on how much food they get. Your SF might be pregnant so give her a cup of food every day until she kindles. If she hasn't kindled by day 35 she is just fat. Her being a bit aggressive with you may be a sign of her being prego.
I highly recommend not, leaving a Doe in with a buck unattended as she can do serious harm to him. Don't leave them together for a few days or even a couple as she can get bred both days. When that happens you have kits at different gestation periods and many times you loose all babies and at times will result in the death of the Doe.
As I tell my customers, the only time rabbits breed like rabbits is when they are a nuisance in your garden.

 

[Breanna113]

Thank you. I spoke today with the people I purchased the rabbits from and they think I have a lazy buck. I am going to take my does over to them next week and they are going to breed to some of their bucks and see how it goes. They said if it works we may need to replace our buck.
My buck is not over weight at all. He's actually slimmer than my does, as he's more active than my does. Silver fox is not pregnant. We are past 35 days. Hopefully the does will take this week. They are breeding each doe with a different buck (they have 90-100 breeding rabbits), and my silver fox with their best silver fox buck, in exchange for top pick of the sf litter.
Thanks for your help!

 

[Citylife]

All I can say is if it were me, I would give your boy some more time because he is young. Just like in our world, sometimes us women can be a bit over bearing and make him nervous to get his job done. Some need more practice then others. I have one doe who is nasty to just one of my bucks. I have to hold her down 3/4 of the time, as she does have a favorite. LOL Good luck, and hope they take for you. I think we all go through this at one time or another.

 

[secuono]

I hope you have them under 12-14 hour lights, or you won't see kits until spring.