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Hare Raising! - Page 2

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I experimented in breeding different colored buck's to various doe's, to see which combination produced the prettiest bunnies. I kept seven buck's that threw strong, healthy, pretty litters.

A doe in heat will grunt and run excitedly, from one end of her hutch to the other. She will bite at the wire and gnaw at the wooden frame of her hutch. When this happens, she should be transfered to a buck of your choosing—never the other way around! Make sure that the buck is fresh and ready, and not tired from servicing another doe. I kept my doe's in with the buck for two days—although I could tell when the breeding was successful, as the buck would fall straight over on his back—this always was true, as thirty-one days afterwards, she would have her litter, even if I removed her straight after service.

Keep a record of the dates on which you breed your rabbits, and count thirty-one days from the first day of service. Make sure she has fresh bedding; a clean nesting box and plenty of food and fresh water. A few days before she kindles, she will start pulling fur from her belly, with which to make a nest. The day when she is about to kindle, she will probably lose interest in food; but don’t worry, as this is normal. Your doe will most likely kindle at night when everything is quiet, and when you go to feed her in the morning, she won’t come out of her nesting box. Don’t disturb her for twenty-four hours, then distract her with some feed and, if she will let you, you can feel around in the nesting box for dead babies. Usually, though, she will throw them out of the box if dead. Remove and discard the dead babies before flies do their worst.

At around two and a half to three weeks of age, the doe will bring her babies out of the nesting box, and teach them to eat solid food and drink from the waterer. This time is a great opportunity for you to see the cute little bunnies and visually check them out for problems.

At around five or six weeks, you can transfer the weaned bunnies to a nursery hutch, where twenty or more bunnies can be kept together until they get a little older. Make sure they have free choice feed and plenty of fresh water, and are kept clean. A carrot or two can be fed sparingly at this time, but go easy with those extras; they don’t really need them. On no account, feed rabbits of any age, cabbage. It can cause severe digestive problems, which can lead to death. Rabbits should have normal looking droppings that are shaped like little footballs, and should never be runny. Scours can kill a rabbit, as it will become severely dehydrated.

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