Early Spring breeding....NOT

[Hopalong Causually]

I thought I'd try and get an early start on some Spring litters. Study of the calendar showed that today should be the day to breed for having kits when I wanted them. I have one buck and three does. Tried the highest priority doe with him and got nowhere. She clamped down tight to the cage floor and did nothing but utter a little whimpering cluck type noise. 45 minutes later the buck just gave up trying. Doe number two was an exact repeat of number one. Twenty minutes with the buck got not even one fall-off. Doe number three has been my best producer so far with two successive litters of nine. She was even more vocal than the other two with that whimpering cluck but more numerous and louder. Again, not one fall-off. I took her out, too, in total defeat. Is the noise they were making what people call, "growling?" I sure wanted today to be the day but the does decided otherwise.

 

[Tale of Tails Rabbitry]

Regardless of the sound the doe makes, I have one doe that has just always been difficult about accepting a buck. In her case, she takes a dominate role and just wears a buck completely out so he gives up. I have taken to pulling her forward and holding her head down gently but firmly for a least two fall offs twice within a 12-hour period.

When she was younger, I could put her in the buck's cage one day and whether I repeated that every day or just once a week later, she would accept the buck one day a week later as if she never had a problem. But as she got older that did not work either so I assist when she being difficult.

 

[promiseacres]

Regardless of the sound the doe makes, I have one doe that has just always been difficult about accepting a buck. In her case, she takes a dominate role and just wears a buck completely out so he gives up. I have taken to pulling her forward and holding her head down gently but firmly for a least two fall offs twice within a 12-hour period.

When she was younger, I could put her in the buck's cage one day and whether I repeated that every day or just once a week later, she would accept the buck one day a week later as if she never had a problem. But as she got older that did not work either so I assist when she being difficult.

Do you find lower conception rates when you"assist" ?

 

[Tale of Tails Rabbitry]

@promiseacres Lower than zero?

Seriously, though. That doe is a Silver Fox with records of 5 to 9 kits, typically 6 to 7. She is also four years old and had 5 kits last time which is under her average, but considering her age, I think assisting has not lowered the number of kits she produced.

Not saying that could be a problem for other does, I just have not really seen it with this one.

 

[promiseacres]

I assist with my velveteen lops fairly often as bucks aren't super aggressive when breeding... lately just no litters...

 

[secuono]

They may be induced ovulators, but they still go through cycles where they are more receptive.

 

[Tale of Tails Rabbitry]

I assist with my velveteen lops fairly often as bucks aren't super aggressive when breeding... lately just no litters...

Did I forget to add that I look her straight in the eyes and tell her this is going to happen so she be a mother to more sweet, beautiful babies?

 

[BoboFarm]

 

[Hopalong Causually]

"Did I forget to add that I look her straight in the eyes and tell her this is going to happen so she be a mother to more sweet, beautiful babies?"

I looked them in the eyes, the ears, the nose, the mouth, and other places I won't mention but it didn't do any good.

 

[Tale of Tails Rabbitry]

I looked them in the eyes, the ears, the nose, the mouth, and other places I won't mention but it didn't do any good.

But did you say the words? They like listening to encouraging words...hence the very big ears.

It may just have been too cold. I have not had bucks go sterile during the winter, even this winter which was definitely colder for longer periods than most, but it may be yours have not had enough milder weather to recuperate...?