Disinterested Buck - Tips??

finneyme · Nov 15, 2018

I am still new to raising/breeding rabbits, and I got my first trio a few weeks ago. They have been settled into their hutches and I made sure I observed them all for the first couple weeks for signs of illness or other health problems before attempting to breed them. My does are NZ/Satin cross and the buck is Californian. They were all born early to mid-May, which puts them at or just over 6 months old. I am in Maryland so the weather has been somewhat cold (so I know it ain't the heat that's the problem). I did read all the posts I could find about this issue, but some of those threads were pretty old, so I figured I'd better start a new one.

I attempted to breed a pair last week, I put one of the does in with the buck and he got pretty excited and started trying to mount her right away. She wasn't very willing though and ran him around in circles until he got worn out. After a while, I tried the other doe (just to see if she might give him less trouble, but she did the exact same thing. I have heard that "virgin" does can be problematic at first, so I was expecting this. But, I was pleased to see the buck trying at least. The second doe didn't do any better than the first, so I took her out and put her back in her own cage. I figured I'd try again tomorrow.

The next day, I put doe #1 back in with the buck and this time he sniffed at her and nuzzled a bit. Then he stuck his nose under her belly and laid down. He didn't move. At all. She eventually got tired of that and went to check out his water. So, he moved right back over to her and stuck his nose back under her belly and stayed put again. Okay... So, after about 15 minutes of reading a book (out of direct bunny's view - kind of off to the side so I can still see what was (NOT) going on, but enough away so they don't feel directly spied upon), I decided they weren't up to anything so I took her out and put doe #2 in - just for kicks. Same exact result.

I looked up buck breeding problems and some suggested to try again at another time of the day. I tried in the morning, early afternoon, late afternoon, and evening on various days with absolutely no change in the buck's behavior. The does don't seem to care one way or the other and go about their business, but the buck is totally disinterested in anything other than a nose warmer.

I don't think he is in any way overweight. He is large (he is a Californian) but he doesn't look chubby. I have given him a bit less feed for the past couple days though, and may see if that helps after a week or so.

I did read something about lighting needed for winter breeding, and with the daylight getting shorter I may set that up. Does anyone know if that actually helps?

If anyone has any other thoughts or suggestions I would love to hear from you. Even if it is to tell me I am doing something wrong. I am still learning, and I don't mind constructive criticism. Thanks all!

Turd blossom · Nov 15, 2018

1. Buy a rabbit harness And take the doe on a walk to get her tired. Doesn't have to be outside if your not comfortable. Then put her in with the buck.

majorv · Nov 15, 2018

Actually, there are some threads in this part of the board that have suggestions for getting bucks & does interested in mating. When our does would just run we would try to hold them in place. Usually that allowed the buck to do his business.
To get them interested in each other again you could try switching them for a few days...put the buck in the does cage and the doe in the buck’s cage.

finneyme · Nov 16, 2018

Thanks so much for the replies! I will try some things and update later on my progress!

woahlookitsme · Nov 20, 2018

I agree with switching the cages around. People have also suggested looking at the vent. If it’s really red it’s time to breed I didn’t use this too much though. And then some breeders swear by the moon.

Also your buns are still younger so breeding may not be on the does minds just yet. Keep switching cages and and make him wait for it. Don’t continue trying every day. Try once if he’s not into it switch cages and then a couple days later try again.

finneyme · Nov 23, 2018

Thanks WoahLIM for the suggestions!

So, I have been putting a small bit of apple cider vinegar into their water bottles for about a week now and I have switched them around in their cages to familiarize each other with the scents. I am only putting them in together every few days to check their reactions to each other. And there is still no progress as far as notable interest in mating. They continue to sniff each other and the buck likes to "snuggle" with the does, but other than that there is no other activity between them.

Maybe as suggested they are just still young and haven't really gotten into that stage yet. I was thinking they were ready at first because of the buck's first meeting with the does where he attempted to mate (never actually getting positioned though) and chased them around the cages.

I have also been checking the does' vents and they are still quite light pink, and don't seem to change from day to day, week to week. Could the doe not being fully ready affect the male in that he won't even attempt to mate if she is not giving off the right "pheromones"? I always thought the buck would be pretty willing to go at it no matter what though.