How old do you breed bucks?

[woodleighcreek]

I just bred my 4 and 1/2 month old buck to my proven doe due to the fact that younger buck will be more fertal in the heat. Do you think he bred her successfully? I will breed him to my do again tonight, but I would like to know, how old do you normally breed your bucks?

ETA: he is a jersey wooly

 

[Ms. Research]

4 months is sexual maturity for a buck. Well, at least for his first time he was with a doe that was experienced. Good thought. Hopefully you will have kits!

 

[FarmGuru]

six months is a good time

 

[Ms. Research]

six months is a good time

Just curious, because I think that's a great age to start with a buck, do you consider this age because they are a little more mature? Waiting for a mature buck at 6 months than when they are 4 months and just sexually mature? Is that the reason? Better results?

Thanks

 

[Lorelai]

I think this might depend on the breed, as I've heard the giant breeds don't mature until they're a tad older. But with that said, we successfully bred our Californian buck at 5 months, and our New Zealand White buck at 7 months. It might just depend on the rabbit, too. We had to put our NZW on a diet before he even became interested in doing the job, and honestly, he still doesn't seem like the best buck. Our Californian, on the other hand...

 

[poormans_99]

small breed should be between 4-5 months, medium 5-6 months and giants around 7-8 months. But is possible for younger to get job done

 

[Ms. Research]

small breed should be between 4-5 months, medium 5-6 months and giants around 7-8 months. But is possible for younger to get job done

Sounds good, but I would wait until 6-7 months with small breeds. Gives them time to mature. I noticed our Polish Dwarf matured a little slower than our Sable Marten. Even though they were born at the same time, from the same mom. I guess nature is like that. I've seen twin humans, where one matures faster than the other. It's all an individual clock that determines, But any doe or buck younger than 5 months you are kind of pressing it. Too young in my opinion. But that's all that is, is just my opinion.

 

[Hickoryneck]

I have a Cali buck and I estimate him to be at least 14 weeks old so should I keep him away from my doe until he is 6 months? His boys :/ haven't dropped yet so would he be fertile before they show up? Sorry about all the questions I have forgotten so many things about rabbits in the past few years and need a refresher course.

 

[woodleighcreek]

I have a Cali buck and I estimate him to be at least 14 weeks old so should I keep him away from my doe until he is 6 months? His boys :/ haven't dropped yet so would he be fertile before they show up? Sorry about all the questions I have forgotten so many things about rabbits in the past few years and need a refresher course.

If they haven't droped, he probably wont be able to breed yet.

 

[brentr]

I have a NZW buck born January 2011. He'll be getting his first date in a couple weeks. It is only in the last 2 weeks that I've noticed that his testicles have started to descend, and that his other equipment doesn't just look like a burrito anymore, but like it should.

No way he would have been ready at 6 mos - but that is just him (and I suspect that he may not be pure NZ; might have some large breed mixed in which would result in slower maturation as well). Some develop slower than others. My senior does are not easy breeders, so he's getting a doe that is a first timer as well. Let those crazy young 'uns figure it out together!