aggressive does ..bring aggressive babies?

[bluepez]

I'm wondering if aggressive does breed aggressive kits?
I got a doe from know found out the mother is aggressive..well the doe I ha e is aggressive..charges and bites and only four months..she just started this.

The breeder wants to sell me the mother but if she were to be bred ..does that pass on?

 

[TinysMom]

From my past experience - aggressive does can give aggressive kits (although they don't always).

But I have found that aggressiveness can sometimes be found in certain "lines" and I will tend to avoid those lines in the future.

 

[polly]

Every breeder I speak to will never breed from either an aggressive doe or buck. But like peg I agree with certain lines being aggressive and I wouldn't have that in my shed personally

 

[OakRidgeRabbits]

I agree with the above, but also want to point out that there's a difference between hormonal and aggressive.

Many does get hormonal after maturity. This is usually a territorial aggression, like grunting or boxing your hands while in the cage, if you get too close. This is the doe's natural instinct to protect her territory and space, and often subsides a bit once the doe is pregnant and has babies. Hormonal does are generally only aggressive inside their cage- their territory.

Aggressive does, on the other hand, are just flat out nasty. Regardless of whether they're in the cage, on the grooming table, playing on the floor- they make it a point to be b****y about everything.

I definitely suggest culling aggressive does from your herd. However, I tend to give hormonal does another chance.

 

[DeniseJP]

Roxanne is hormonal and protective of her new kits... and that is not like her... she was a friendly Checkered Giant until she got pregnant and my normally nasty Grace is much nicer since she got a new hutch in a new location.

Denise

 

[bluepez]

I think my 4mth old doe sounds like the hormonal one. She only does it in her cage.

How do I break her of that?
But her mom..I guess is that way too.

My doe is nice out side the cage...
But I HATE trying to feed her and give her hay treats with her charging me..when she does I hold her head for a bit..and she stops..and acts normal.

 

[BlueGiants]

Have patience with her. 4 months is young and I'd guess she is overwhelmed with the new hormones. Cage Protective behavior is normal in does (although some of them seem to take it to new levels!) and may indicate that she'll have good maternal (protective) instincts when she has a litter.

I would not put up with that behavior in a mature doe, especially one that's already raised a litter, unless there were special circumstances.(You don't know if the aggressive behavior in the mother was due to fear, abuse, neglect, etc.) Another thing to consider, is she cooped next to a buck? His smell (hormones) could be affecting her.

I'd give the girl time to mature. As you said, hold her head down for a minute, remind her who's boss, and give her time. You may change her mind a little if everytime she sees you, you have a little treat.

 

[polly]

something I have seen in rabbits is if they havent had a lot of handling they can be cage aggressive sometimes it can even be them looking for attention rather than hormones.
I try to take a lot of time especially when I split my litters up spending time stroking them bwhen I go into their cage so they are much more used to me I have found this makes a big difference to the ones who havent had so much attention in their hutches!!