tootsieroll60
New Member
My bunny is Lulu. She is about 9 months old. I wanted to breed her for Easter bunnies. I have put Thumper, the buck, in with her twice and left him about 5 hours. It didn't take either time. What could be the problem?:bawl:
Breeding my Bunny
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Imbrium
Jennifer
I really wouldn't recommend breeding for easter bunnies - they end up in shelters FAR too often once they grow up and stop being teeny little babies... and there's far too many rabbits in shelters already. the only good reason to breed is to improve the breed (which means breeding purebreds).
it's NOT safe to leave the rabbits alone together unsupervised - they could get into a fight, or he could accidentally hump the wrong end and get bitten on his penis (yes, it can happen!). they should *always* be supervised. it doesn't take long at all - the buck humps for a few seconds, grunts, and falls off to the side and then they're done. it's pretty hard to tell if a female is pregnant and they're induced ovulators (meaning they release eggs after having sex as opposed to going into heat), so she's probably pregnant already. if she isn't, though, *please* reconsider your reasons for bringing a litter of bunnies into the world - it's so hard to find quality owners for them, plus there's really no money at all to be made if you're breeding responsibly and giving all the rabbits proper care.
it's NOT safe to leave the rabbits alone together unsupervised - they could get into a fight, or he could accidentally hump the wrong end and get bitten on his penis (yes, it can happen!). they should *always* be supervised. it doesn't take long at all - the buck humps for a few seconds, grunts, and falls off to the side and then they're done. it's pretty hard to tell if a female is pregnant and they're induced ovulators (meaning they release eggs after having sex as opposed to going into heat), so she's probably pregnant already. if she isn't, though, *please* reconsider your reasons for bringing a litter of bunnies into the world - it's so hard to find quality owners for them, plus there's really no money at all to be made if you're breeding responsibly and giving all the rabbits proper care.
I agree completely with Imbrium above. Easter rabbits are one of the major sources of rabbits who have been abandoned and end up in rescues.
The House Rabbit Society has some good info for you about Easter rabbits:
http://www.rabbit.org/easter/
Please consider the info at that site (as well as what is in post above), before continuing to try breeding.
leaseplease:
The House Rabbit Society has some good info for you about Easter rabbits:
http://www.rabbit.org/easter/
Please consider the info at that site (as well as what is in post above), before continuing to try breeding.
leaseplease:
Kipcha
Well-Known Member
Agreeing with the people above, please do not breed for Easter rabbits. They are an impulse buy for people and they usually end up dead at a young age, turned in to a shelter or released in some part once they aren't "cute" anymore.
Also, consider the rabbits you are breeding. Are these lines that you want to continue to better the breed, or do you just have a boy and a girl rabbit that you think would look like they have cute babies? If the latter, please don't do it. If you don't have a history on their genetics you should not be breeding them anyways.
Also, consider the rabbits you are breeding. Are these lines that you want to continue to better the breed, or do you just have a boy and a girl rabbit that you think would look like they have cute babies? If the latter, please don't do it. If you don't have a history on their genetics you should not be breeding them anyways.
You'll never know if the doe has been bred unless you watch them. As someone said, it isn't a good idea to leave a doe and buck together unsupervised for that long unless your 100% positive they won't fight.
erinmoveit
Well-Known Member
I have two Easter Bunnies in sorts.. One was bred to be born an Easter Bunny. The "breeder" was not very informed and had difficulties with the births and then had problems finding them homes. She ended up having to keep most of the litter. My first bun came from her and died a few weeks later. I took the second and had a full vet check-up which ended up costing hundred of dollars.
My other bun is a bit older but was probably re-homed as an Easter present. He was found roaming around outside shortly after Easter and was very obviously not a wild rabbit.
IF breeding is something you would like to do, take the time to read up on the forums and talk to someone about the proper way to start a rabbitry. Like others have said before, the profit for properly cared for kits are very limited. It seems like it would be a lot of stress as well. I wouldn't want my well-cared for kits going home with just anyone. I would want someone who was fully knowledgeable of what kind of pet they were getting.
My other bun is a bit older but was probably re-homed as an Easter present. He was found roaming around outside shortly after Easter and was very obviously not a wild rabbit.
IF breeding is something you would like to do, take the time to read up on the forums and talk to someone about the proper way to start a rabbitry. Like others have said before, the profit for properly cared for kits are very limited. It seems like it would be a lot of stress as well. I wouldn't want my well-cared for kits going home with just anyone. I would want someone who was fully knowledgeable of what kind of pet they were getting.
Blaze_Amita
Well-Known Member
Like the others have stated please don't breed them just for Easter babies- Besides running my own rabbitry with my show stock, I've done more than my share of pet re-homes after Easter of mixes, purebreds, you name it.
and this secondary part I am not trying to come across as rude, snotty, snarky and whatever else ya'll might think I am. If you are going to breed them, read up on the proper way to do it before you do. If you don't do it correctly, it could result in some very nasty accidents between the two rabbits- possibly could cause permament or fatal injuries to one or both rabbits- no something I ever want to hear or see about again- I know someone down the road from me did the same thing and ended up with a dead buck, a bad mother and I ended up trying to bottle feed the babies when the mother died at 2 days old from a stuck kit. It was a nasty mess.
and this secondary part I am not trying to come across as rude, snotty, snarky and whatever else ya'll might think I am. If you are going to breed them, read up on the proper way to do it before you do. If you don't do it correctly, it could result in some very nasty accidents between the two rabbits- possibly could cause permament or fatal injuries to one or both rabbits- no something I ever want to hear or see about again- I know someone down the road from me did the same thing and ended up with a dead buck, a bad mother and I ended up trying to bottle feed the babies when the mother died at 2 days old from a stuck kit. It was a nasty mess.
RoyalLions18
Well-Known Member
I agree craigslist is over run with posts after Easter, with bunnies who people have gotten for their children. Also rabbits are not really meant for a young child!!
Katielovesleo3
Katie
KittyKatMe
Well-Known Member
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Katielovesleo3, that made me cry:sosad:sosad:in tears::in tears:
Katielovesleo3
Katie
I KNOW! Me too!!! :'( I read it back in August and it made me so sad. For Easter I want to print out some flyers they have on that website and put them around town
wendymac
Well-Known Member
Breeding for Easter Bunnies, as everyone has said, is a very bad idea. Breeding just to breed is also a very bad idea. Before you breed you should have a VERY firm goal in mind (better improve the breed/your stock) and not go about anything willy nilly.
bhoffman
Well-Known Member
I know this post is a couple days old, but I wanted to ad my input as well if you don't mind.
I am very new I rabbit breeding. I have only had one surviving litter as of yet. But have three litters currently on the way. I was original planning on breeding my does a few weeks sooner than I had, but after counting the weeks, I realtors that these would be pretty much Easter bunnies. I did not like that idea. I have been advertising for my bunnies before I breed. I had a few people ask if the kits would be ready for Easter. After replying no, they never replied back. I had a few telling me that they wanted to have an "Easter bunny" "deliver" the Easter baskets. Not a good idea! This told me right there that they won't last as pets in the families and the last thing I want, is for my bunnies to end up lose in the wild or in a shelter.
My question for you is:
1. Why do you want Easter bunnies? Is it to make money? Because if it is the fact of making money that interested you, I wouldn't suggest this way. Especially if you care about the well being of your bunnies. Most bunnies in my area sell for 20-$25. My last litter consisted of 4 bunnies. So that is a $100. Well, I spent an extra probably $10 or so on pellets, used extra alfalfa hay, bought extra water bottles as one wasn't enough for 4 kits and the mom. So there is an extra $25 right there (roughly). On top of all that,you need a nesting box, even to make it probably costs Atleast $5, purchasing, I don't know the cost. We made ours. Then you need extra bedding, because once those kits start moving around more, the bedding will be more soiled, not a lot, but enough. So lets just say you are at $30-40 now. Now, you need extra space or when those kits hopping around. Can't keep them in a smaller cage. Momma wants space too to get away from them for a bit. By the time ou add up your expenses you basically are spending quite a bit extra. And what happens if buyers don't show up? You may have to put out even more money to care for those babies.
All of these things really need to be looked at before breeding. And just like others say, you should have a good reason to breed. Not just to make extra money.
I am definitely no expert on breeding as I myself am very new to it and have found everyone here super helpful. But please do more research on cost before. Breeding and make sure that you are prepared for any "left over kits" that don't get chosen.
I apologize as I know that this post is a couple days old, but just wanted to put my opinion out there!
I am very new I rabbit breeding. I have only had one surviving litter as of yet. But have three litters currently on the way. I was original planning on breeding my does a few weeks sooner than I had, but after counting the weeks, I realtors that these would be pretty much Easter bunnies. I did not like that idea. I have been advertising for my bunnies before I breed. I had a few people ask if the kits would be ready for Easter. After replying no, they never replied back. I had a few telling me that they wanted to have an "Easter bunny" "deliver" the Easter baskets. Not a good idea! This told me right there that they won't last as pets in the families and the last thing I want, is for my bunnies to end up lose in the wild or in a shelter.
My question for you is:
1. Why do you want Easter bunnies? Is it to make money? Because if it is the fact of making money that interested you, I wouldn't suggest this way. Especially if you care about the well being of your bunnies. Most bunnies in my area sell for 20-$25. My last litter consisted of 4 bunnies. So that is a $100. Well, I spent an extra probably $10 or so on pellets, used extra alfalfa hay, bought extra water bottles as one wasn't enough for 4 kits and the mom. So there is an extra $25 right there (roughly). On top of all that,you need a nesting box, even to make it probably costs Atleast $5, purchasing, I don't know the cost. We made ours. Then you need extra bedding, because once those kits start moving around more, the bedding will be more soiled, not a lot, but enough. So lets just say you are at $30-40 now. Now, you need extra space or when those kits hopping around. Can't keep them in a smaller cage. Momma wants space too to get away from them for a bit. By the time ou add up your expenses you basically are spending quite a bit extra. And what happens if buyers don't show up? You may have to put out even more money to care for those babies.
All of these things really need to be looked at before breeding. And just like others say, you should have a good reason to breed. Not just to make extra money.
I am definitely no expert on breeding as I myself am very new to it and have found everyone here super helpful. But please do more research on cost before. Breeding and make sure that you are prepared for any "left over kits" that don't get chosen.
I apologize as I know that this post is a couple days old, but just wanted to put my opinion out there!
Katielovesleo3
Katie
:yeahthat: exactly! That was well said and absolutely true )
)
bunnychild
Julia
Only breed if you will be helping the breed and rabbits.
