Ethics of Breeding Part 4: Doing the Deed
You have now determined everything you need to before you start breeding. You have full knowledge of everything about your rabbits. You have the breeder's blessing, or you have decided to break that contract. You have a plan for the babies, including any "extras" that might be too many for you to care for yourself. You have set goals. Now comes the easy part.
You set a date. You should have babies 30-32 days from the day you breed, although the gestation period for rabbits is 28-35 days. You may want to plan them to "most likely" be born on a day you'll be home. Take the doe to the buck and watch. You want to make sure they don't fight, so observe them. Sooner or later, the buck will mount the doe. The doe will lift her butt. He'll do that thing male rabbits do ;) and then he'll fall over. Absolutely fall. Usually, it's somewhat dramatic. He may thump a bit after falling, to demonstrate his "machoness." Some people leave them together until they get 2 or 3 confirmations. Others don't. Some separate and reunite a few hours later for another try. Others don't. How you proceed is entirely up to you.
28 days later you will need to give the doe a nestbox with lots of hay to build her nest with. Don't be alarmed if she largely ignores it at first. Some does don't start nesting until closer to kindling. Around days 30-32, you should have a beautiful litter in the nestbox. Congratulations!
*Note: About 2 weeks after I breed, I like to shave the doe's belly to prevent the wool she will pull for her nest from becoming tangled around the babies. Doing this can save lives. If you're not able to shave the belly about 2 weeks into pregnancy, then make sure you cut the wool into 1/4 inch pieces after she kindles.
You set a date. You should have babies 30-32 days from the day you breed, although the gestation period for rabbits is 28-35 days. You may want to plan them to "most likely" be born on a day you'll be home. Take the doe to the buck and watch. You want to make sure they don't fight, so observe them. Sooner or later, the buck will mount the doe. The doe will lift her butt. He'll do that thing male rabbits do ;) and then he'll fall over. Absolutely fall. Usually, it's somewhat dramatic. He may thump a bit after falling, to demonstrate his "machoness." Some people leave them together until they get 2 or 3 confirmations. Others don't. Some separate and reunite a few hours later for another try. Others don't. How you proceed is entirely up to you.
28 days later you will need to give the doe a nestbox with lots of hay to build her nest with. Don't be alarmed if she largely ignores it at first. Some does don't start nesting until closer to kindling. Around days 30-32, you should have a beautiful litter in the nestbox. Congratulations!
*Note: About 2 weeks after I breed, I like to shave the doe's belly to prevent the wool she will pull for her nest from becoming tangled around the babies. Doing this can save lives. If you're not able to shave the belly about 2 weeks into pregnancy, then make sure you cut the wool into 1/4 inch pieces after she kindles.