Breeding

by Erika
(Tecumseh, Oklahoma, United States)

My mom and dad decided it would be okay for me to breed rabbits. And like the person I am I did research. But I'm not sure about when you can breed a doe after she kindle or how long you should keep the doe in the cage.


And more important what you do if the doe isn't taking good enough care for the babies...(which is what I'm scared of the most) My two best friends are going to help me but...I'm still not sure if I am completely ready for a buck two does and who knows how many babies.

Please send advice!!

***** Karen Sez *****
These are great questions, Erika, and luckily, we have nearly all the answers. Plus, we're working on a big Q&A project that will have even more answers. Though, it might be nearly a year before the book is ready.

For now, you can read our pages on breeding and taking care of the kits, all linked at the Breeding Rabbits page. That section of the website will answer most if not all of your questions.

You didn't say which breed(s) of rabbits you're most interested in.

There's a question you didn't ask that is prolly important - what will you do when your does give you more rabbits than you want? Cuz it might happen.

Rabbits have been livestock for millennia. That means people have used them for meat, fur and wool since time immemorial. Are you willing to utilize your extra animals in some way, if needed? For example, butcher them for meat for your family and dogs and cats? This is an absolutely honorable enterprise, and you don't need to accept any shame or blame for becoming a rabbit farmer of sorts, even if on a hobby scale.

Even small rabbit breeds can find a place in the food chain, if there's any left over after you've kept some for yourself, sold some for pets, and sold others for breeding stock.

If you can answer this last question to your own satisfaction, you'll be able to develop a better plan for managing your rabbit breeding, and won't feel overwhelmed as bunnies start filling your cages.

Good luck, and feel free to check back and let us know how you're doing!

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Sep 27, 2020
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starstarstarstarstar 		Breeding My Bunny - Which colours are possible?
by: Anonymous

When breeding my light grey buck and blue doe (they are both solid colours), is it possible that they would have broken coloured babies? For example one baby being spotted light grey and blue? Also, is it possible other colours like brown or white to appear in the babies?

***** Karen Sez *****
The gene that breaks up the solid colour and allows for white and colour is a dominant gene. Neither of your rabbits carry it, since they are solidly coloured. So no, you won't get any broken-coloured babies.

But depending on the recessive genes underlying the colours that your rabbits show, it might be possible to get other colours in the offspring. I cannot guess what you might find; you'll have to try a mating and see!

Learn more about rabbit genetics here.

Best of luck with everything!
Mar 11, 2012
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starstarstarstarstar 		Rabbit raising
by: Anonymous

I am 73 years old now, but when I was in High School I used rabbits for my project. The Ag teacher got me a lot of information. At the end of the School year I had made more money on rabbits than others that had cows and Hogs. They made fun at me and called me names but at the end of the school year I had the last laugh.

***** Karen Sez *****
Yep, for sure! Thanks for sharing. :-)

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