Fluffball has just been palpated

[Becca]

Well this is the news my whole family have been waiting for, we went to get Fluffball palpated today by the breeder we got her from.

To start off he picked her straight up by her ears which made me totally and utterly shocked as I thougt ears were the most delicate part of a rabbits body.
Then he said
"Well I am not sure but she might be pregnant, I can't really feel anything there might be about 2 or 3 tiny ones in there but I can't tell!"

So really I don't really know what to think.
But today Fluffball is going back outside and I am just going to say that I don't think she is pregnant and I'm going to leave it at that.

Then my mum said
"Well it might be nice to have one litter of babies - maybe when she's older we can breed her!"
Again I was quite shocked that is something I am going to have to look into.
Maybe we will breed her with Dippy but I am going to need to do a lot of research and think the whole thing through before I make the decicion to breed her or not.

But for now I am going back to normal life until later on in the year when she is old enough to breed. But until then all I am going to be doing is research, research, research research!!

 

[jcl_24]

Just from reading that post, I've decided I don't like that breeder! I've read that you should NEVER pick up a rabbit by its ears. The ears are delicate as you said and being picked up like that can be painfull for a rabbit.

So he she/couldn't tell you either way eh. If it turns out Fluffball isn't pregnant, I hope you are not too disapointed Becca. Bunny breeding is best planned (yes sometimes 'accidents' happen, that's NOT a criticism of you at all).

Glad you and the bunnies are all well

Jo xx

 

[Becca]

Yes - I'm not very fond of him either!
I am going to research all the risks and things that can go wrong and so I will know what to do, if I can do anything

 

[bunnybunbunb]

Picking them up by the ears, lets see what was it... it puts pressure on their eyes and it would pop them out of the rabbits head, I think that was it. It also does something to their breathing but I can't quite remember.

Sorry but that must be one sucky palpater. You should find a more experianced breeder. I can feel the babies between 8-14 days depending on the rabbit. Most does I can feel at 10 days. If she was due yesterday or whatever if he actually knew out to palpate he could say "yes, babies" or "no babies" 100% just by barely touching her stomache. If she is at her due date and pregnant the babies take up all the room even if they don't get fat.

 

[undergunfire]

You should only breed rabbits to better that breed of rabbit. Having one litter just to have fun is very selfish and it puts the female in danger.

This is one of the main reason why there are so many dogs, cats, rabbits, rats, ect in shelters...because people just want babies and aren't working to better the breed of the animal.

 

[Becca]

undergunfire I just want to say people don't just breed to "better the breed" I have people lined up for pure lionhead babies - I am definetly not selfish and I'm actually quite hurt :X

 

[pinksalamander]

Maybe you should try and find another breeder...

About the breeding thing, i had this conversation with a friend. The main thing is, when you go into breeding rabbits, you need to do it FOR A REASON. You can't just do it because you fancy it. Most of the breeders on here attend shows, and for many of them breeding purebred rabbits is their livliehoods. The only real reason you want to breed is for the 'interest' of it. I find it absolutley fine to want to 'experience' something firsthand but when you are technically taking homes away from those shelter rabbits, because you fancied that 'experience' that is where the line is drawn. Breeders don't just want to breed, many of them NEED to breed. Regardless if i is a hobby you need to be completley into it. I have never bred an animal and i never will because i cannot bear the thought of bringing more animals into the world when so many are sitting there, alone, in a rescue, waiting to me rehomed and fearing death if they aren't. All our animals are rescues. All are neutered (well, the hamsters weren't but you can't do that). I personally wouldn't be able to face myself if i bred rabbits. I would feel awful that i was stealing those homes. Even if it was an accident i would probably end up keeping them because i'd feel bad.

You were saying the other day you needed to save up enough money to get one of your bunnies eyes sorted. What happens when you have 8 baby rabbits who need vaccinations at £40 a pop, need food, hay, veggies, homes. I guess you are expecting to fob them all off one some other family where the liklehood of the rabbit spending a life stuck in a tiny 2ft hutch. Rabbits are the most abused, neglected and uncared for animals in the UK. You could always sell them to a petshop, get them off your hands, make a few pennies. I know my friend whos rabbits accidently escaped and bred. He sold the babies to Pets at Home for £2 each. Thats made him £8. He spent more than that a week on food.

I hate to be harsh but its food for thought. Its such a typical 'i want cute babies' look and regardless if its a purebred rabbit its still backyard breeding.

 

[NZminilops]

Lots of good points being made here!

Just wanted to offer some things to think about.

It's great that you know you need to do some research . Before taking on anything like this, it's good to learn first about all the things that can go wrong - and can go right. Having baby rabbits around is both fun, and very worrysome.


A pair of rabbits that I took in from a young girl who lived around the corner had a litter not long after I got them. This wasn't too long ago, so it's pretty fresh in my mind.

Whilst I loved having the little baby buns, lots of things did go wrong. One baby got an eye infection, that cost a lot with the vet care needed, money I just didn't have. My family wasn't interested in helping me either as they were "only rabbits". So if you're relying on parents to help out with money, make sure they are 100% behind you. Because if Fluffball needs any help, she will need it without delay.

Also be prepared for anything that may happen to Fluffball. Rabbits are normally pretty capable through pregnancy and birth, but some rabbits can retain a litter (and they can mummify within the rabbit), have kits that get stuck on the way out, give birth to an entirely dead litter - or worst of all, give birth to live kits but start eating them. Finding a baby with it's legs knawed off and it's guts hanging out is bad enough, it's worse when you realise the baby is still somehow alive and it's up to YOU to put it out of it's misery.

Fluffball could also change towards you. She may turn more aggressive, more protective of herself and her area, less interested in being a pet rabbit and more interested in reproducing.


Some more things to think on are what you would plan to do with any babies that don't find homes, or, find a home then the owner wants to give the rabbit back to you. Reasons for returning a rabbit could be: the rabbit was the wrong sex, the rabbit developed teeth issues, the rabbit has a nasty temperment, etc etc. You get the idea anyway .

Anyway I wish you good luck in whatever you decide to do.

 

[BlueCamasRabbitry]

Are fluffball and Dippy purebred, papered lionheads?

That breeder doesn't sound very knowledgeable.

How old is Fluff right now? If she isn't pregnant, and you breed her after she's like 9 months, she'll have more complications. Best to breed her at 7 mos. of age.

Emily

 

[TinysMom]

Most lionhead breeders (here in the US) will tell you that you can breed her until she is about a year old...and that six to seven months is a good age for her first breeding.

However, as a lionhead breeder, I'm going to tell you that I do not recommend you breed. Yeah - I've bred. I've bred rabbits that were pets - and to this day, I believe I lost GingerSpice at a young age because her immune system broke down after breeding.

To breed "just to breed" is considered "backyard breeding" by many of us here on the forum. If you read other posts in the rabbitry area - you'll read recently where someone started a discussion about "its just one litter". Yeah...right.

From what I've read in several places (wasn't it even in your profile or something at one time) - the UK has way way way more rabbits than they can find homes for. Didn't you have something that was anti-breeding one time that flashed? I forget exactly who it was who had it...but it said something about one rabbit multiplying...etc.

I'm sure there are plenty of purebred lionhead babies out there for people in the UK (since we Americans imported them from the UK to get them here). I'd leave the breeding to breeders who are experienced and know what they're doing and how to breed for higher quality rabbits.

Why put your pet's life at risk unnecessairily?

I'm sorry - but I honestly hope you don't breed. I think you should just enjoy your rabbits and get them neutered so you don't have accidents again.

 

[Luvmyzoocrew]

First i think your breeder sounds like an idiot that hepicked up your rabbit by its ears, to *me* that is a total inappropriate way of handling a rabbit.



Secondly I agree with Amy that it is selfish to breed just because you want babies, I personally dont like breeding period. Even if you have homes lined up for them doesnt make it any less selfish.



I hope for the best for your rabbit.

 

[polly]

Can I clarify did the breeder actually pick your rabbit up by the ears or did he have his thumb round the front of the ears and his hand round the back of theneck. If he was he was not picking your bun up by the ears he was using them for support and actually holding the bun round its neck. and supporting it round the bum. Just out of interest.

ALso is the breeder you used BRC registered?

Here is a picture to try and clarify it a bit.

Also as for breeding in the future. Tough call but what happened this time was an accident to intentionally breed her for cute babies regardless of having homes for them is not a very responsible thing to do. NZ minilops puts a good point forward about things going wrong with the babies and the mother.

Is Dippy and Fluffball from the same litter ? If they are then breeding would be a HUGE no no as well.ALso if your breeder is not BRC registered then you just don't know what his lines are.

Please remember because I know you are younger no one is trying to be nasty to you or get at you we are just trying helping to let you form a decision. Please feel free to pm me if you want to chat about it and why I have said please feel free

 

[Becca]

Fine then :XI won't breed.
I am not sure about the breeder being "registered" and yeah he just picked her up by the ears no support on her bum or anything.

 

[Becca]

Sorry didn't mean to be quite so rude :?

 

[Luvmyzoocrew]

Becca I have been sitting here for a little while trying to think of how to respond to you, and taking your age into consideration. Please dont be offended by what people say (i am also going on past posts that i have seen that you have posted in) this board is filled with tons of different people with different types of attitudes, experience, opinions and not everyone is going to agree. We know you will do what you want and that we cant tell you what to do and that these are only our opinions. I have seen others offer you such great advice and very valuable advice and you get mad, people are not saying these things to be mean but to educate and give you more insight to some things. I can offer no suggestions or experience with breeding , as stated above you know my views, but i hope that the people that have bred and have offered you advice you take and look into before doing any type of breeding with your rabbits.

 

[polly]

ITs ok Becca I understand that you feel everyone is getting at you. Its not what we are trying to do. To be honest with you a lot of people seem to think that breeders contribute to all the unwanted buns that are in all the rescues. We don't or more like responsible breeders will do all they can not to do that.

Just think of the stress you have had this time worrying over Fluffball to be honest its nothing compared to them actually having the litter then keeping them all ok and hoping fluffball is going to be a good mum.

What you will notice is any breeder will mate up 2 or 3 does at the same time in case their is problems. Take a wander through the rabbitry and look at some of the posts about does that have had litters and people have had problems with. It will give you a good idea on things that can go wrong. Its a good thing to do if any part of you really wants to breed her

If your breeder did that (holding your rabbit by ears )then its a very old school way of holding a rabbit

 

[pinksalamander]

OK, i apologise for my post earlier. It was maybe a bit too brash, my blood was boiling at that point. However, my points still stand, i just wished i'd worded it a bit better.

If you truly do want to breed, save it for when you are older, wiser, more independant and have your own financial backing.

 

[Starlight Rabbitry]

I wasn't going to respond but I feel I should. Becca, if you truly want to breed, I suggest you find a registered breeder to mentor with. You will learn more from an actual breeder (preferably one who has been doing it for a while) than you could from the internet. Maybe go to a few shows to talk to breeders there. I suggest you join the British Rabbit Council (sorry, hope that is what it is called). They will have tons of info for you. Also, if you can, join your National or Regional Lionhead Club. There you will find helpful tips too.

You are very responsible in that you want to do your research first. RO is a great place to find info also. There are lots of breeders on here who are willing to help you out. Also, don't get mad at peoples' opinions here, they are trying to save you from making a mistake or possibly something that you may regret. We truly care about you and your bunnies. Don't want to see them hurt. We also want to save you fromthe samemistakes that we have made!

Sharon

 

[Pipp]

Luvmyzoocrew wrote:

I personally dont like breeding period.

Your postis in the Rabbitry and Showroom. If you don't like breeding and have no experience, I don't think thisis anappropriate forum to be posting in.

I'm sure R&SMods and other breeders will continue to handle this matter wisely. Everyone seems to be on the same page.

It's just commoncourtesy. I don't think the Rescue Me frequenters would be too impressed if they were flooded with R&S people suggesting that readers buy purebred rabbits instead of adopting shelter bunnies.



sas :bunnydance:

 

[j0292]

BabyBunnies, ive been following your posts for quite some time now, and im actually so relieved to hear that Fluffball may not be pregnant.
if i remember correctly, she's very young, so a huge risk would be taken there,
and if they are siblings, ive heard of some pretty bad genetic disorders.

the best thing i feel to do, is instead of putting money towards feeding prospect rabbits, maybe save up the money to neuter the boy, first.

and again, i have been considering breeding my bunny for a lonngggg time (which i had told you via PM breifly) , so that i could get a specific colour and size out of it, but then i think its unnessacary and pointless, when theres over 60,000 rabbits looking for homes in the UK alone.

when you do breed, i think its better if you have a reason for it. not just for the sake of having cute little babies, or making money, becuase there is NO money at all in breeding, all the money goes back into feeding, vaccs etc.

good luck for whatever you do, do.
and i hope you think long and hard before you choose what to do