Getting rabbits into the breeding mood

by Louise
(Utah)

I have two does and one buck that I'm trying to breed. One doe is a dwarf floppy ear and the other is a lion head. The buck is a lion head also. The dwarf is about three years old and has had a litter before, but both the lion heads are about 5 months old and this would be their first time. My buck is ready but my does won't have anything to do with him. How can I get the does "in the mood?"

****Karen Sez****
Heheh, that's the question of the century in many breeders' minds.

It is our feeling that the problem, if you can call it that, is Mother Nature, and there's not too much you can do to speed things along.

First, the lionheads are only 5 months old. While they're 'old enough,' they might not be mature enough. (Bucks are usually willing, but if too young, may be shooting blanks yet....all depends the buck, of course.)

Second, it is October. My entire herd is hunkered down, and won't breed! They are molting, getting ready for winter, and I've just decided it is okay to let nature be for a few weeks.

But to answer your question, you can put the doe in with the buck every few days. You can switch the animals -- put the buck in the doe cage and the doe in the buck cage for a day or two. Then put the doe back into her cage...where the buck is waiting for her. Sometimes that kindles the romance.

Consider the animals' feed. Is it fresh or is it more than 60 days old? Are you feeding people veggies covered in pesticides? Old feed loses its nutrition, and poisons are never good, either for them or for you. Inadequate feed *will* affect bunny-romance.

Time is the best 'fixer,' however. Be patient, put the animals together every few days for 15-30 minutes, and keep doing this for as long as necessary. The does will come around eventually, usually within a couple weeks to a couple months, and when they do, their bodies will be better prepared to grow and feed the kits. That's what you want, right?
K