Breeding Bunnies

A female rabbit is called a doe. A male rabbit is called a buck. The bunch of bunnies she gave birth with are called kits. A small breed doe is ready to mate when she reaches the age of 5 months and the buck is at 6 months. The heavier the buck and doe is, the later they are ready for breeding. For example, if the doe is heavy set, she is ready for breeding when she reaches the age of 8 months and the buck when he is 9 months. The buck may be bred 7 times a week. You may use the buck for breeding bunnies even for twice a day.

Here are the principles about breeding bunnies you should know first:

1. Mate rabbits with same kind but exemption to these are breeding rabbits for meat, pet or genetic experimentations.

2. Keep only one rabbit inside the cage. Rabbit matures faster when alone.

3. Before breeding make sure that both the doe and the buck are in good health condition. Check their stools for diarrhea and their genitals for infections, sore, redness or discharge.

4. When ready to mate, take the doe into the buck’s cage. never put the buck in the doe’s cage for he tends to sniff around and mating will be a problem.

5. Leave the doe inside the buck’s cage overnight. This may increase the reproduction of their offspring.

6. Test the doe for pregnancy between the 10th and 14th day after the initial breeding.

7. You must put a nest box on her cage on the 29th day after the initial breeding. It is likely the 30th , she should be having her kits.

8. Never breed brothers to sisters.

9. You may mate rabbits with different colors but same breeding.

10. Avoid breeding rabbits with genetic defects such as tooth malocclusion or wolf teeth, moon eye or cloudy cornea.

Breeding bunnies bring great joy. But even the breeding of rabbits is abundant; there is no real money income on it. There are very small markets for mixed breed rabbits. Breeding rabbits also means dealing with frequent death. It does can and do have dead babies on regular basis. Most of the babies born usually didn’t make their adulthood. Babies can even get stuck in the birth canal. Rabbits can also get infected and need a shot ever now and then.

Breeding bunnies needs a lot of dedication and time from its owner. It is a great responsibility because if you breed bunnies right from the start there is a great chance that their kits will come out in good condition. Always check the doe and the buck’s health to ensure safe pregnancy and delivery.