Mating

[weezer]

hello,

I have two rabbits about 3-4 month old which I have had only about a month ,im assuming one is male and one is female,cause I see one trying to mount the other one. They appear to have come from the same litter.becasue they are the same color/pattern but one has a lighter shade of black.I currently have them housed indoors in a hutch with attached nesting box (Ones they sell @ pet smart). So my question is why is that they urinate and poop in the nesting box. They also go in the wire bottom part as well.I have enen tried a litter box they use that as well. But If one is female will this keep her from having babies in there and attempt to have them where the wire bottom is. I have had rabbits when I was a kid and know that she will start pulling her fur and build a nest, So I have been making sure that does not happen or the babies will fall through the wire bottom. and have done some research on mating issues. So any advise on mating and the pooping and urinating in nest box would be helpful...



Thanks,

Peter

 

[funnybunnymummy]

Moving this to the rabbitry.

3-4 months is a little young to be breeding them. I'd separate them until they're at least 6 months old. Breeding 3-4 month olds is like 13-year-olds having babies.

Also, if you don't know their history, why are you attempting to breed them? You could end up with birth defects and health issues.

JMVHO

Hope that helps!

Rue

 

[HappyFarmBunnies]

It sounds like you're doing a lot of assuming, which can be a slippery slope. Rabbits of both sexes mount each other all the time so that is definitely not a surefire way to tell which is male and which is female. Also, three to four months is too young to breed healthily.

IMO, you need to do a bit more research on the subject and become more knowledgable before breeding and bringing lots of (potentially) unwanted baby bunnies into the world.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

As to the eliminating in the nest box, they evidently fell it's a litter box right now. Maybe putting in a litter box will limit that behavior.

 

[ZRabbits]

You need to know the sex of your bunnies before even thinking of breeding. Plus you definitely need to know their background to insure healthy kits.

3-4 months old are way too young, especially for the female to be having kits. Have agree with the "13 year old analogy". Bad enough a First Time Mom at 8-9 months old has problems raising kits. Just think what will happen with a 3-4 month old First Time Mother.

Time is the answer. You need to wait. While your waiting, research and talk to breeders who are successful in breeding.

Don't need more unwanted bunnies with health issues. If you plan to breed, breed responsibility. Make a plan and stick with it. AFTER you do the research.

You have plenty of time and so do your bunnies. Don't push it. Because it's a heartache if you do.

K

 

[weezer]

Thanks for the advise. Like I said its been a long time since I had rabbits. I thought the same thing. Too young to breed (thought they Sid not breed so young.). As far as the history. The pet shop I got them from didn't know the sex. And said they were about 3-4 months old. Believe me im in no rush....... but I will separate them for now.

 

[HappyFarmBunnies]

There's really no need to have a nest box in there at all if you're not expecting a litter within 3-4 days. If you post a photo we can try to tell you what breed they are.

 

[woahlookitsme]

Also a vet or other rabbit breeder should be able to tell their sexes for you.

 

[weezer]

I just posted a pic on my profile page,I asked the pet store they said when I got them they were no more than 12 weeks old,not sure of the breed,and or sex yet,I might get back to pet shop today and they will assisst me.In determining the sex,they have someone there that knows
thanks again for all the advise

 

[woahlookitsme]

Ok at 12 weeks it can still be hard for someone who isn't seasoned with it. I know I still have problems even now. Its hard to tell what breed from your avatar but they could be mini rex (their fur will be really soft and they will have curly whiskers) But a bigger picture would help determine that.

 

[bunnychild]

your can figure out their sex by flipping them over and looking for "little boy parts" they should be visible at 3-4 months.

 

[CCWelch]

Please do not breed "pet store " bunnies, you are just asking for problems You do not know their background, if they are true to breed, related etc.
I had a guy call me about buying my Mini Lops so he could breed his Holland lop buck to them. Says he sells the babies to the pet stores as Holland Lops and he crosses to get the larger litter and therefore more money for junk rabbits.

 

[ZRabbits]

CCWelch wrote:

Please do not breed "pet store " bunnies, you are just asking for problems You do not know their background, if they are true to breed, related etc.
I had a guy call me about buying my Mini Lops so he could breed his Holland lop buck to them. Says he sells the babies to the pet stores as Holland Lops and he crosses to get the larger litter and therefore more money for junk rabbits.

Ditto this statement 10 fold. You really need to know the background of bunnies before breeding. It could be a heartache if you don't.

There is enough bunnies out here to satisfy the needs of others who want bunnies. Breeding for profit and making "junk" bunnies for money is not the way to go. Plus these "junk" bunnies end up being sold as purebreds to those who want to start to show or breed for show. And in most instances the outcome is not pleasurable.

More unwanted "junk" bunnies. And I hate saying "junk".

This economy changes a lot of things and not just in the bunny world. Times are tough but looking at bunnies or any other animal for profit is wrong.

Just my opinion.

K