Too late to try?

[Rocky Knolls Rabbits]

I should have put my Mini Rex doe in with my buck back after I got them all settled in last month but I didn't...so my question is 'Is it too late in the year to try and get her bred? Looking at the calendar they'd arrive towards the end of November. Would that be too late for a litter? She's had litters before I bought her and was told she had 6-8 each time and was a good mother so I'm tempted but if it's too late in the year to be safe for her and the litter I'll wait until spring.

 

[woodleighcreek]

I should have put my Mini Rex doe in with my buck back after I got them all settled in last month but I didn't...so my question is 'Is it too late in the year to try and get her bred? Looking at the calendar they'd arrive towards the end of November. Would that be too late for a litter? She's had litters before I bought her and was told she had 6-8 each time and was a good mother so I'm tempted but if it's too late in the year to be safe for her and the litter I'll wait until spring.

Nope! I just bred 2 of my does.

 

[Rocky Knolls Rabbits]

I should have put my Mini Rex doe in with my buck back after I got them all settled in last month but I didn't...so my question is 'Is it too late in the year to try and get her bred? Looking at the calendar they'd arrive towards the end of November. Would that be too late for a litter? She's had litters before I bought her and was told she had 6-8 each time and was a good mother so I'm tempted but if it's too late in the year to be safe for her and the litter I'll wait until spring.

Nope! I just bred 2 of my does.

I see your in S.C., I'm up near the MD/PA line...I'm not sure if that makes any difference or not.

 

[Ms. Research]

Are your rabbits outside? That would be my only concern. I live in New Jersey so it does get a bit chilly around end of November. I would still try but put extra hay in the nest box to keep new kits warm and out of the elements. They need some protection, along with the adults.

 

[woodleighcreek]

As long as your buck's Testicals are not shrivled up, then you should be fine!

 

[Ms. Research]

As long as your buck's Testicals are not shrivled up, then you should be fine!

Just curious. Why would the testicles be shriveled up? Due to the cold? Or because of the seasonal change? I know that it's hard to breed rabbits in the winter (Dec/Jan) because of loosing light earlier. I've read if you put better lighting in your enclosure you can keep them going year round.

As someone with no experience in breeding and "nuggetless" bucks, I'm kind of in the dark on this one. :/

 

[woodleighcreek]

As long as your buck's Testicals are not shrivled up, then you should be fine!

Just curious. Why would the testicles be shriveled up? Due to the cold? Or because of the seasonal change? I know that it's hard to breed rabbits in the winter (Dec/Jan) because of loosing light earlier. I've read if you put better lighting in your enclosure you can keep them going year round.

As someone with no experience in breeding and "nuggetless" bucks, I'm kind of in the dark on this one. :/

You know, Im not entirely sure. I have noticed that they tend to shrivel up-more on the older bucks-in very hot or cold weather.

 

[DKRabbitry]

I have heard of it being too hot to breed rabbits (fertility-wise), but never too cold. Here in MI, the only issues we have in cold weather are freezing kits from inexperienced mothers. As long as they are out of the wind and have a good nest built, there is no reason your doe couldn't be bred and kindle in sub zero weather. I have talked to many people that breed all year and we breed into early winter. The only reason we don't have litters born Dec-Feb is that it is so cold it is hard to keep water thawed so they are not eating as much so they aren't really getting the nutrition to be nursing kits.

 

[Rocky Knolls Rabbits]

Well I had her visit the buck on Saturday and he appeared to get the deed done so we'll see what happens in a month or so.

 

[CYGChickies]

Good luck! Hoping for a healthy happy litter!

CYG