No Baby Bunnies Yet

[theturtlepond]

I have been tring to breed my rabbits for about 4 months now with no succes. I have put the female in with the male several times now. They still have not had babies. Is there anything I can do? Is ther something I am doing wrong? They are outside rabbits and it has been very cold during the winter, so is that the problem?

 

[aurora369]

Moved your thread over to the Rabbitry area, it will be easier for other breeders to view and give advice here.

-Dawn

 

[OakRidgeRabbits]

What breed are the rabbits?

How old are the rabbits?

What do you feed them? What % of their diet is protein?

Do they have access to fresh water daily?

 

[bunnybunbunb]

Are you only trying to breed the single pair? One may be sterile, or over weight. They may be to old. If a doe is not bred soon after she is ready she will collect fat around her ovaries making it hard for her to get pregnant.

 

[theturtlepond]

The female weights a little over 3 pounds anf the male is about 3.5. They are about8 months old. The male is a little younger. I feed them alfalfa pellets and carrots. Sometimes grass or hay. 14% protein. Recently their water has frozen a few times or they have knocked the bottles off, so other than that they always have water. I am acuallytrying to breed the2 females right now.

 

[mistyjr]

When you flip the Doe's over to check them.. Are they purple?

 

[theturtlepond]

No purple. What does that mean?

 

[mistyjr]

Purple means that they are in heat! Thats what I was taught by

 

[aurora369]

If the vent of a female is dark reddish/purple, then they are more receptive to breeding. Pale pink indicates they are not very interested.

Rabbits don't really go into heat, as they are induced ovulators and only release eggs when they have been mated. They are always ready to ovulate, it is just that sometimes they are unreceptive due to bad weather or non-ideal conditions.

-Dawn

 

[theturtlepond]

So is it from it being winter time?

 

[mistyjr]

Sorry about the heat cycle. I knew they dont go into heat! My fault... What I learn is purpleish mean that they are more ready..

 

[mistyjr]

Theturtlepond... Where are you from?

 

[aurora369]

It could very well be that it is winter time. Rabbits do require a certain amount of light per day to be receptive to breeding (at least that is what I have gleaned from reading responses from breeders). In some larger scale productions, they have timed lights so that the rabbits will be more receptive year round.

I know that quite a few other breeders have issues getting does bred in the winter as well. If temperatures are low enough to still be freezing water, then you could try waiting a month until it warms up some to try again.

You can try having a look at her genitals and seeing what colour they are. If they are pale, then my best guess would be wait until it warms up a bit. If they are nice and dark red, then give it another try.

-Dawn

 

[mistyjr]

Are you putting the buck with one female or both of them together??

 

[OakRidgeRabbits]

14% protein isn't really enough to support a pregnant or lactating doe. I'd suggest switching to 16-18% protein.

Other than that, I'd just wait until it gets a little warmer to try again. It sounds like you're doing things right, but rabbits just aren't as receptive in the dead of winter. Wait until it warms up a bit, and they're usually more receptive.

 

[theturtlepond]

I am right by Denver Colorado. We just had our last expected snow storm, so itshould be warming up soon. I will find some food that has more protein in it. Thanks for all of your help.