Two Questions

[woodleighcreek]

1. What are the risks of breeding a rabbit for the first time that is over a year old?

2. Do female rabbits that have had litters do worse in shows? I had a friend tell me that once a rabbit has a litter, It wont do well in shows. Is that true?

 

[Mea]

1. What are the risks of breeding a rabbit for the first time that is over a year old?

2. Do female rabbits that have had litters do worse in shows? I had a friend tell me that once a rabbit has a litter, It wont do well in shows. Is that true?

I would think that some of the smaller size, large headed breeds might have more trouble ... not positive as i don't raise them.

Once a doe has a litter.. quite often she never quite comes back into 'Show Form"... They can get loose and flabby around the midsection. Some does will pull it all back together... some won't. ( definate maybe...huh ? )

 

[Connorrm]

1. What are the risks of breeding a rabbit for the first time that is over a year old?

2. Do female rabbits that have had litters do worse in shows? I had a friend tell me that once a rabbit has a litter, It wont do well in shows. Is that true?

I would think that some of the smaller size, large headed breeds might have more trouble ... not positive as i don't raise them.

Once a doe has a litter.. quite often she never quite comes back into 'Show Form"... They can get loose and flabby around the midsection. Some does will pull it all back together... some won't. ( definate maybe...huh ? )

You're not far off the mark, especially about number one. I know that cavies hips/pelvis become too rigid for birthing, but I'm not sure about rabbits. I would think they'd be okay. I've done that before.

As far as litters and showing. I've won BiS with three Jersey Wooly does that all bounced back perfectly after the litter. However, it's not uncommon for their career to be "over" especially in the compact and dwarf sized breeds. However, a grand champ is a grand champ at three legs. Unless you're really doing something grand like winning BOB every show, I'd pull her off the table for motherhood.

 

[woodleighcreek]

Ok, Im just asking because I have a beautiful 7 mont old Jersey Wooly Doe who has done very well in shows so far. I will probably breed her in November (so ill have some juniors ready for the jersey wooly nationals) after most of the shows are over.

 

[rabbitgeek]

Usually after a year old conception rates are lower than if bred at 6 or 8 months old. This may be caused by fat accumulating around the ovaries. Our Jersey Woolies did not seem to have any higher incidence of big head kits as they got older.

And we found the JW does could generally get back into show condition after a litter. Not right away, but generally we put them on show table after a litter.

One reason we can do it is that there is no disqualification (DQ) for dewlaps like the Netherland Dwarfs.

Have a good day!

 

[woodleighcreek]

Usually after a year old conception rates are lower than if bred at 6 or 8 months old. This may be caused by fat accumulating around the ovaries. Our Jersey Woolies did not seem to have any higher incidence of big head kits as they got older.

And we found the JW does could generally get back into show condition after a litter. Not right away, but generally we put them on show table after a litter.

One reason we can do it is that there is no disqualification (DQ) for dewlaps like the Netherland Dwarfs.

Have a good day!

Great! Thanks for your help. Im still pretty new to showing and im glad that the does can still be shown.