Rabbits at stud?

[Erins Rabbits]

About 6 months ago I gave away about half of all my stock to a guy who was getting started. It was a pell-mell mix- a Champagne Doe, a Mini Satin Doe, a Himalayan Buck and a Flemish Buck. Wellll They have decided that they'd like to breed Champagnes, only no one really has them. I said I'd let them use my buck- if I got pick of the litter. My does are old and unless they can prove me wrong, dry. This doe has a minor DQ andfantastic typeand is only around a year old. So I went ahead and did it for them.

So, Question. Would you breed for someone like this? I've heard other opinions, and I know there are lot's of what if's involved, but, I can't truly see it going to horribly. Thoughts?

 

[BlueGiants]

If it was your doe to start with, and you know her.. and if they were keeping her properly, (ie: she is still healty and well)I would breed her for them. I'd take pick of the litter too. Sounds like a good deal all around.

With your encouragement and mentoring, they may become good breeders.


Editted to add: I do NOT normally stud out my bucks for anyone. I would make an exception if it was MY doe that I sold or rehomed.

 

[Starlight Rabbitry]

I agree with BlueGiants but also, I will breed a rabbit for a friend. I do not do it for strangers or people that I do not know all that well. I will only do it if I know the person VERY well.

Also, even though I know the person, I still check the doe for health issues and I never let them "borrow" the buck. The breeding is done in front of me....usually it is done in the trunk of my car, LOL.

Sharon

 

[BlueGiants]

Wow Sharon! You have "cooperative" bucks! A few of my guys spend all their time sniffing around and checking out the new "territory"... They could care less that a "receptive" girl is sitting right next to them! LOL!

 

[gentle giants]

I have a sort of side question that has to do with this. I know one of the main reasons not to offer a buck for stud services is the risk of venereal disease, but is there a blood test or something that you can have done on the doe to make sure she doesn't have it?

 

[Starlight Rabbitry]

BlueGiants wrote:

Wow Sharon! You have "cooperative" bucks! A few of my guys spend all their time sniffing around and checking out the new "territory"... They could care less that a "receptive" girl is sitting right next to them! LOL!

LOL....gotta love Dutch!!! They are like the energizer bunny...they keep going, and going, and going!

 

[Starlight Rabbitry]

gentle giants wrote:

I have a sort of side question that has to do with this. I know one of the main reasons not to offer a buck for stud services is the risk of venereal disease, but is there a blood test or something that you can have done on the doe to make sure she doesn't have it?

Not sure about a blood test as a simple pimple in the area can spread to the doe. I just check for obvious signs of a disease. I never had a problem...so far...as I am very strict about who I let use my bucks. Like I said above, I am very good friends with these people and by that I mean that I have been showing along side them for a long time. I tend to remember who has sick rabbits.

Sharon

You should remember one thing, it is your buck and if you don't want to breed it to a doe, you don't have too. I have turned down people before with no hard feelings. Good breeders know that it is not "totally safe" when using someone else's buck and this goes for their does too. Their doe may get a disease from that stud buck they just used.

 

[BlueCamasRabbitry]

I've let people at shows breed their does to my bucks before, but only after we've been talking for some time that day.
I will ask the does age, past litters, health issues, etc. Then I look at her and all that.
Then I'll say "Sure," etc. etc.

I only ask like a $10-$20 breeding fee because I can't get pick of the litter yet. lol.

Emily

 

[clevername]

One of my breeder friends let me use one of her bucks when one of my does failed to make weight. She had a big 'ol blue who was like a pound too big to show.

The resulting litter threw some beautiful kits. In fact I kept more than one just so I could continue to keep some weight in my line.

Of course this was from a person I knew and would definitely be seeing again. I had purchased rabbits from her as well and already knew the condition of her herd.Of course there are always risks. But in the end, I'm glad that I accepted the stud.