The Act.....

[rabbitlady4433]

So today I finally got to try and breed my buns for the first time.....

As for my NZ Doe Poppy she did quite well and tho I had to breed her to a mutt bc my Cali Buck Bobolicous had no clue what to do and she ended up the one on top. Bob just seemed to go into a trance like state and wouldn't even attempt to do anything but lay there. Even when I tried to manipulate them myself. I thought maybe this being his first time, Poppy is a little intimidating as she is much bigger, I put him in with a doe mutt that is much smaller. Not only did he not want to do the deed, they fought. (Lesson #1 for me: wear long sleeves when separating fighting rabbits, my arms look like I stuck them in a weed eater) So I guess my question is....... Is it normal for a Buck to not to the deed?

My husband and I both agree that if he can't preform soon, he'll probably become dinner. I just hate the thought because he is really beautiful with pretty markings. (And it took me forever to find him, I really didn't want to have to start the search all over again.)

I guess the good outcome though is both my does were, well...you know.

Any advice.......?

 

[Mea]

OK... i'm gomma go waaayyy out on a limb here....


Are You 100% positive... beyond any shadow of a doubt... that Bobolicous IS a buck ???



( now heading back to my cave... )

 

[Bunnylady]

Did you put her into his cage, or the other way 'round? The doe should go into the buck's cage. Any rabbit (but particularly a doe) may get territorial and fight any invader in its space. It takes a very assertive buck to do his job in the face of that kind of aggression!

Did you check the does for readiness? Rabbits don't go into "heat," but they do have fluctuations in hormone levels that make them more likely to breed at some times than at others. Some does will grunt, chin things, pull fur, or even stick their butts up when you pet them to signal their willingness to breed, but many don't give obvious outward signs. For a doe like that, you need to check her vulva. Flip the doe over, and press on her "private parts" like you would to check the gender on a young rabbit. This exposes a little of the tissue that lines the vulva. On a doe that is ready to breed, this will be bright, cherry red and a little swollen. If it is light pink, forget it, she most likely wouldn't concieve even if she did accept the buck. A purplish tinge signals that she is past the hormonal peak, she may or may not breed. Some does never go further than a deep rose color, so you kind of have to know your doe to know what color to watch for.

When you decide the doe is ready, put her in the buck's cage - that gives him a territorial advantage. Some bucks are very aggressive breeders, others, not so much. I had one Mini Rex buck that seemed to enjoy beating does up, I always removed his girls as soon as the deed was done! I also have a Harlequin doe that is determined to fight with a buck, even when I know she is ready. I always put her with an experienced buck, and as long as it doesn't get too intense, I just wait them out. Pretty soon, she quits, and accepts the buck. She always kindles a good litter, so I just make sure that I put her with a buck that is tough enough to put up with her amazon ways.

Finally, how old is this buck? Some bucks (particularly those of larger breeds) mature more slowly than others. A buck should be at least 6 months old before he is bred, I have had a couple that were 8 months before they really seemed to know what they were doing.

Good luck, hoping Bob gets his act together soon!

 

[rabbitlady4433]

The doe was eagerly ready and totally accepted the older buck. When put in with bob she was ummmmm acting like a man. . lol. But when I put her in with the older buck she did just fine and he was able to get the job done several times during their hour together.

Bob is with out a doubt a Buck.......hes a little over 7 months and things are well... quite obvious.

And yes i did put her in his cage. The most he would do is bury his head in the corner.

 

[Bunnylady]

Are you sure about Bob's age? I believe in July you were thinking he was about 6 weeks, that would make him more like 5 months old now.

Mounting behavior is not just about breeding, it is also a dominance display. Randy does will often mount a buck; a timid young buck can be put off by an overly aggressive doe. I have a Mini Rex buck now that I thought would never get his act together, he just hunkered in a corner and showed no interest the first few times I put a doe in with him. Then he went through a stage where all he wanted to do was fight with the girls! I guess he was feeling all those hormones, but didn't know what to do with them. He did eventually figure out his role, and I have been impressed with both the quality of the babies he produces, and the tact he now shows when dealing with a doe. Nothing like a little maturity!

Does often do seem to prefer one buck over another, an older buck is often more successful at "getting the girls" than one that is younger. I wouldn't write Bob off as a lost cause just yet. I think all he needs is a little more time. Assuming that your does took on this breeding, it will be a while before you will be breeding them again. Hopefully by the time the girls are done raising these litters, he will be ready to go to work for you!

 

[rabbitlady4433]

thank you for the advice, so glad there is a forum like this one around.

Think I've convinced the husband to give him plenty of more time.