All sorts of questions about breeding...

[snap]

My two Holland Lops have been doing well in show, and the breeder I received them from has asked if we'd like to breed one or both of them. They're both girls, and are almost 6 months old((in two days)).

My first question is if & when I need to separate them for the babies. Should I do it before I even breed them so they're not stressed out, or just after I know they're pregnant and then while the kits grow up?

And after that, will they go back together happily? They're currently very happy((and adorable)) together, and I would seriously consider not breeding them if will unbond them. Or will I have to bond them like new rabbits?

Also, nest boxes. I have one((borrowing another)). I think I put it in at 28-29 days, right? Should I take out parts of the nest, or no? The girls are inside, but it still gets around 75-80 in their room. When do I take it out? I don't think anyone ever specifies that. Should I take it out when the babies can see/hop around, or wait longer than that?

I know I sound like a frantic mother expecting her first born, but basically I am. I've never bred any female animals before((I've only ever bred my first rabbit when he was intact)), so these will actually be my first ever babies. I'm very excited, and very nervous.

 

[timbaland]

I would separate as soon as you know they are pregnant or right after the breeding date. I don't see a good reason to do it before.

After both litters are weaned and no longer involved you may want to do a slow introduction process, like they are meeting for the first time. I have seen litters born and does put back together, they acted like nothing had happened. However, be safe and maybe ask your breeder what he/she thinks.

The nest box can be put in a week before birth or a few days before. I like putting it in a week before because the doe seems to get comfy in it easier. The nest is needed to pad and keep the babies warm. Mom should know if its too hot or too cold but you will need to remove some of it anyway. After birth it may be bloody and soiled.

I am 50/50 when to take the nest box out.Possibly removal is three weeks, however if it gets hot it can be removed at two week WITH CAUTION. My room is normal 70-80f. Sometimes even 85f. I have had 5 litters born in here and none of them have ever overheated. However I also have a lot of air circulation which helps tremendously.

Don't worry! You care a lot about your bunnies and you are asking all the right questions, your buns will be taken care of. ;0

 

[OakRidgeRabbits]

If you want the does to continue to live together, I would not suggest breeding them. Once they've had a litter, it's likely that they will not accept each other again unless they're spayed and re-introduced. There are always exceptions, but I'd certainly count on the worst case scenario here since generally once a doe has those hormones going, they'll not bond well with another after the fact.

 

[TinysMom]

First of all - I'm going to start with my cautions. I'm not the rabbit police nor do I want you to feel guilty but I just want to make sure you've thought everything through - including the risks.

We don't usually recommending pets because there is always a chance something could go wrong. I'd hate to see you lose your beloved pets due to a stuck kit or something. So please think about the fact that these are your pets - would you blame yourself if you lost one? I once bred a "pet" rabbit - and I swear that is why she died a year or so later - because by the time she was almost done weaning the kids - her immune system was breaking down big time. Its not overly common - but it can happen.

Secondly you need to prepare yourself for the fact that you could have stuck kits, peanuts - or even babies born on the wire. When I bred before - a large percentage of my losses came from first time mamas who didn't understand about making a nest, etc. Can you handle this? (It can be hard to go in and see dead babies if mama doesn't feed them or if they just weren't thriving, etc).

Finally - lets say one doe takes - one doesn't - and the one that has babies - for whatever reason - doesn't have her milk come in. Can you devote the time to formula feeding them a couple of times per day? Will you make sure to have formula on hand?

With all that said- if you've thought these things through and you still want to breed - then I would go ahead and breed them - but I would probably separate them after they're bred - OR - have a second cage set up in case they start fighting with each other. I would definitely separate them by day 25 or so of the pregnancy so that when you put the nestbox in at day 28...the doe who got moved is already comfortable with her new cage.

I wouldn't worry about when to take out the nestbox or about cleaning it until you've had kits...you'll figure out when to take it out (usually mama is laying on top trying to get a break from the kits and they're crawling all around the cage looking for mama). I would check the nest every day to make sure that no one has died, etc. Plus - I believe in holding the kits from day one to make them more sociable.

I am not sure if your does will rebond after having babies - they might - or they might not. Then again - if they're hitting 6 months old - their hormones could hit and they could unbond on their own..it happens.

As a quick question - what will you be doing with the kits? Will the breeder get pick of the litter?

Good luck with whatever you decide. Just curious - what colors are your does and can you share who the breeder is (even if you pm it to me). I'm fairly new to breeding hollands here in Texas and I'm trying to compile a list (for myself) of breeders.

Thanks!

 

[snap]

Thanks to everyone, especially TinysMom. You brought up a lot to think about.

I would prefer if they kept living together, but if not that is fine. I'm supposed to be getting rid of one of my outside rabbits at...some point, whenever my friend gets a cage for him. If she doesn't come get him soon we're selling him though, I don't like him at all. Then one of my inside rabbits will go outside, and I'll have an extra cage to put one doe in.
We're going to see if the breeder would like to have them back before I go to college, and if so she'd like them unspayed. But if not we'll be spaying them at the end of the summer because I think they'd be a lot happier with each other.

I've lost pets before, and though I would be very sad I think I could deal with it. I wouldn't blame myself, I never have((except once, but I know I can't go back and change it)). We're going to prepare the best we can, but we know that's not always going to prevent stuff happening. I've seen little peanut babies and understand they don't live. But I'm going to be a vet after college((granted, a large animal vet but a vet all the same)) and this will be my life, so why not start now?

And I will have time to hand feed babies, they'll be born during my summer break when I will really have nothing better to do than watch grass grow. I have no vacations planned, and I'll be home all day((more or less)).

The breeder will be picking the ones she wants to keep, and I'll probably keep the others until I, unfortunately, have to sell off all my babies so I can go to college. Or I may just sell them as soon as they're old enough, but either way we have plans. We like plans. XD

They're both tortoise, and they came from Family Treasures. My mum knows the breeder's husband and they knew we wanted holland lops.

Again, thank you for all the help! ;D I really, really appreciate it. C: