Holland Lop Breeding Help??

[4hRabbitBreeder]

I have been breeding meat rabbits (New Zealands, Californians, and Champagnes) for 4 years for 4H. I recently bought a Holland Lop doe and buck to breed as a project for next year.
Now, if I have seen any fear when I am breeding rabbits, it usually is the doe, and she might run from the buck. But it seems like the buck is deathly afraid of the doe when she is loose, and he will stand like he is cemented to the cage wire. Meanwhile, the doe will show absolutely no interest in him at all. I have tried holding the doe, and the buck has attempted to mount her several times, but still no results. I have heard that breeding smaller rabbits like Holland Lops can be harder to do, but I'm not sure what I should do. Any ideas??

 

[majorv]

Have either of these rabbits been bred before? How old are they? We used to have Cals and I don't really find it much different than the Polish I have now. The buck sounds inexperienced to me. Do you keep them in cages next to each other, as that might help. You may have to table breed them.

 

[4hRabbitBreeder]

Neither of them have been bred before. But, I just tried again tonight and they seemed successful!
I was actually talking with someone previously about keeping their cages next to each other. Does that actually help with breeding a new pair?

 

[ladysown]

almost anything helps when breeding a new pair. Holland lops can be tricky though... its best if you keep them working once you have them started. Of all the rabbits I've ever bred they are the most difficult to work with.

Hard to determine why... generally I think it's because everyone wants them right? So people do pay enough attention to health, ease of breeding and such like.

 

[woahlookitsme]

Keeping them next to each other does help sometimes. You can also switch them overnight and try again in tge morning

Good luck. Glad they finally bred.