Just venting...

[Kushy12]

I bought a doe from a guy last Saturday. I am fairly new to rabbits and CLEARLY have no clue what I am doing, I have done a fair amount of research... Well actually a lot, but obviously experience still has plenty to teach me. She looked as though she was in good health, and at a decent weight. So my boyfriend and I pulled the trigger and purchased her. We have just started in the hobbie and have decided to expand a bit. Not much just two more does and maybe a new buck in the future. The guy sempt as though he had experience, and honestly I dont blame him. It's easy to make mistakes.. He said she was eight months old and ready to breed. yay for more babies! Well... It just so happens we got babies way sooner than expected. She was in a temporary isolation pen, for safety to my existing rabbits. I went out yesterday to check on every one and bam, kits on my floor. JFive poor babies, that I had no clue were coming. I guess it's her first kit, and so hopefully we have that out of the way and can continue to go on with happy breeding from here on. I just can't believe I didn't see it coming.

 

[Hens and Roos]

What breed is she? You can always weigh her and get an idea of how old she might be/how close to maturity- the Rabbit Standard of Perfection will give details. Sorry to hear that this caught you off guard- with rabbits it is hard to tell if you don't know they have been bred(maybe the guy you got her from didn't know either) . Even when we breed ours- they don't seem to show- thinking this is done as they are prey animals.

 

[Kushy12]

She is a Florida white, New Zealand cross. From what I read on Florida whites they have a wonderful meat to bone ratio and the guy was hoping to get the perfect mix between these two breeds, with larger kit size and a more manageable rabbit (less food consumtion)
I am almost positive that he didn't know she was bred, because he was telling us that we could breed her when we got her. I am not blaming him at all.. It was just a sad sight. I have yet to have an experience like this so far.
Quick question: because of this, next time she kindles what's the likely hood of her ignoring the nest box and having her kits on the wire? Or does that just depend on the rabbit?

 

[Hens and Roos]

It's hard to say, some does get it figured out by the second litter and others don't. We usually go by 3 times and your out rule for both does and bucks.

Usually first time does aren't sure of what is going on, we have had first timers have babies on the wire and because of where they are kept we were able to get them into the next box and covered with fur and they made it. We had 2nd and 3rd litters born on wire and not make it(that doe was culled).

You could probably rebred her in about a week if you are ready and have a buck.