Breeding A Difficult Doe

[Bramble Briar86]

My netherland, HoneyBun, is about five months old and I've been trying to breed her. Houdini is more than willing but HoneyBun just won't raise her rump, even if I try to hold her for him. Are there some does that just won't breed? Any tips?

Thanks,

Ellie

 

[aurora369]

She may not be ready yet.

Check her vulva and see what colour it is.

A receptive female will be a dark red, and a non-receptive female will be pale pink.

If she's not dark red, then wait a few days. Maybe keep her in a cage next to the boys to get her interested, then try again.

If she's not ready to breed, she won't lift, and I wouldn't suggest a forced mating.

She may still be a bit young, maybe wait till she's 6 months.

--Dawn

 

[SunnieBunnie Rabbitry]

I agree... give her some more time. If she still is not interested by the time she's 6 1/2 months, I'd then suggest the following (but wait until she's older before trying any of the following):

• Take her for a long car ride (take her along while you run errands)
• Put her in the bucks cage and the buck in her cage (swap cages) for 24-48hrs then take the doe to the buck and see if she's receptive then.
• Put her in a cage centered between two bucks for 2-4 days andtakeher tothe buckat least oncea day until she's receptive.
• Put 1 teaspoon to 1 Tablespoon of Apple Cider Vinegar in her drinking water for 2 weeks.
• And last resort - Colony breed. Put her and another doe in with the buck (at the same time) and make sure there are no serious scuffles. Once all is settled (about 15-20minutes of watching) leave the girls in w/the buck for either:
  • 1 week
  • Until they palpate positive
  • 2 weeks

I have used all the methods above and have found that even the most unreceptive doe will give in to at least 1 of the above.

~Sunshine

 

[Bramble Briar86]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'll wait another month and see what happens.

Thanks again,

Ellie

 

[flemishr2cool]

I third the opinion on waiting. If your rabbit is a small breed doe she may sexually mature faster but I find that mothering instincts and the ability to have easy births comes with age and 5 months is on the young end. With my Flemish Giants I run into the problem with having to breed them young or they may not get pregnant, so we breeders have sort of agreed that 9 months is ideal. I have bred does as young as 7 months and they either didn't make a nest, wouldn't feed, or just seemed to lack certain mothering skills. However, when I waited until 8 or 9 months those skills came much easier to them and they did a better job. LOL just my observation though

 

[Bramble Briar86]

Well, I just palpated her today and she ispregnant. I didn't breed her again like you guys suggested, she wasjust pregnant from a prior breeding. From what I feel she's about twoweeks pregnant or a little further along.

I will definitly keep the suggestions for future breeding!

Ellie

 

[Starlight Rabbitry]

Congrats!!! Hopefully she has a nice litter for you! Keep us posted.

Sharon