Breeding Rabbits
FOREWORD
I, like many show breeders, breed my rabbits to a BREED STANDARD. If you are just breeding for pet rabbits, think carefully before doing it.
CHOOSING A SUITABLE BUCK & DOE
To start to breed your chosen breed you will need to choose a suitable breeding doe and think to yourself: is she healthy? is she a good breeding doe?(you won't know this if it's her first time) is she old enough? is she of good type? is she of a compatible colour to be mated with the buck?(try this site for help with this matter http://www.miniaturelops.com ).
MATING
Once you have chosen the Buck and Doe, you should put her to him; not vice versa because if you put the Buck in the Doe's cage the Doe might attack the Buck.
The buck may hopefully mate the Doe. Don't be alarmed if he makes a funny sound and falls off backwards as this is quite normal. Take the Doe away after about 3 -5 minutes or after the buck falling of twice.
NESTING
Leave the Doe in peace and the Doe will carry from 28 to 33 days. Before the litter is born the Doe will start plucking her chest and carrying bedding around in her mouth, to make a nest before the babies are born. When the nest "wriggles" so to speak, the babies have been born.
If you must check the nest, please touch the mum first or the dirty corner as I always feel safer doing this. At around 10 days old or so the babies eyes will begin to open and not long after that they will start leaving the nest and they will start nibbling on the food. Handle the litter often so they get used to being handled. The young rabbits should stay with their Mum for a ABSOLUTE minimum of 8 weeks and I stress that is the minimum, the ideal being from 10 - 12 weeks old or so.
RINGING
You should ring the best rabbits from 4 to 6 weeks (thats when I ring my Cashmeres & Miniature Lops) and then sell the rest on to good homes at 10 to 12 weeks.
To ring your rabbits, straighten out their back leg and CAREFULLY slide the ring over the hock. Regularely check that the ring hasn't fallen off as it may do when the rabbit is young.
OTHER INFORMATION
If you breed Cashmere lops, Swiss Fox or any other longcoated breed, when you sell them make sure they know all about the grooming required. Perhaps give a grooming demostration or hand over the National Cashmere Lop Club guide to grooming.
NEVER sell Cashmere Lops and other long coated breeds to pet shops as people buying them will not know how much grooming to give them and they end up in terrible states.
Cute Cashmere Kits
Some young Cashmere Lops, aren't they lovely!