test breeding

[Sabine]

As my stud buck seems to be too much of a gentlemen and not exactly pushing the girls to mate I am left quite unsure whether he got his way or settled for the cuddles.
As nothing was happening putting them (also individually) into his hutch I have been leaving all three in a small open run (which is his too). They have been together for the best part of three days now only being separated at night.
I am wondering now how much sense it makes to persevere? And if so for how long? They are certainly enjoying each others company but I am not sure if any breeding is going on and that was the idea.
From reading earlier threads there seemed to be different opinions on test breeding half way through the gestation period. If I can't tell whether the does have conceived in about two weeks would it make sense to try another buck or could I endanger the existing pregnancy (if there is any)? Is it true a doe can conceive again before she even has the first litter?

 

[Luvr of Wabbits and Polar Bears]

:bump

 

[mistyjr]

Have you checked the girls? Are they purple? What i mean by that is when they are purple down their thats mean that they are in heat!

 

[mistyjr]

Or have he's balls have dropped?

 

[introoder]

YES. They can have a second litter. I just lost five babies to that. (It wasn't exactly my fault. Apparently she was bred before she got to my rabbitry. I rebred her, blahblahblah.) It's a horrible thing, and isn't pleasing on the eyes once the litter's born.

As far as test breeding... I throw a buck back in the cage for a couple seconds. He usually gets right to business in harassing, and the does have ALWAYS protested. Perhaps it's just my girls, but idk. It's an insane low grunting, and I've had a couple of boys get nipped pretty hard.

Also, if you're leaving them all together, it could quite possibly be happening while you're not watching. My bucks usually get quite tuckered out after a bit.

But that's all just my personal experience.

 

[Sabine]

I don't know if it was the cider in the water or four days of rather warm weather but as I got home last night I found a few tufts of fur in the run and Hamish was chasing the girls
I spotted him on top of each for a few seconds each time but I am not sure if he hit the target as I didn't see him sit back and light a cigarette...... Errr... I mean grunt and fall off :biggrin2:
I left them to it for a while as it was dusk and and I thought it may encourage the activity. I am pretty sure the deed must be done though. I didn't realize that Hamish turned from a snuggle bun to a stud at dusk:shock:
Maybe the mating had already taken place earlier and that's why the girls weren't too willing to hold still for long.
Anyhow I consider them pregnant now and keep Hamish separate again. Maybe I should put him back in briefly in a week or so to see if the dynamic has changed. I just want to avoid another mating if they are already expecting. Hopefully I will be able to tell though.

 

[BlueGiants]

Sounds like he just "had to get to know them first"... a real gentleman! LOL! (Doesn't he know he's a rabbit????) I'd consider them bred and wait 3-4 days and put her back with him, just for a few minutes... do not leave them alone! She should be very vocal and protestif she is already bred. (Be careful, she may nip at you for putting her in there!)

 

[Sabine]

BlueGiants wrote:

Sounds like he just "had to get to know them first"... a real gentleman! LOL! (Doesn't he know he's a rabbit????) I'd consider them bred and wait 3-4 days and put her back with him, just for a few minutes... do not leave them alone! She should be very vocal and protestif she is already bred. (Be careful, she may nip at you for putting her in there!)

Thanks for the advice. I am wondering though if I put her in and they are sort of indifferent to the idea of mating initially like they were a few days ago? Does that mean she is bred then? Should I use the other buck then to double check?
I am also wondering at what stage do I run a risk of "double" breeding them. Do I remember right it being about a week before the due date or even earlier?

 

[BlueGiants]

Actually, "double" breeding is pretty rare, but it can happen. If she accepts him on a "test" breeding 3-4 days after breeding, she probably didn't "take" the first time.

I would not use the other buck for the "test", especially if you are keeping a pedigree. You really won't be sure "who is the daddy". I won't do a "test" breeding more than 6 days after the first breeding. (But that's just me and for my rabbits.)

(I never leave when I put a buck and doe together... I keep an eye on them to make sure no one gets hurt and to see if they accomplish what I inteneded them to do!)

 

[Sabine]

BlueGiants wrote:

Actually, "double" breeding is pretty rare, but it can happen. If she accepts him on a "test" breeding 3-4 days after breeding, she probably didn't "take" the first time.

I would not use the other buck for the "test", especially if you are keeping a pedigree. You really won't be sure "who is the daddy". I won't do a "test" breeding more than 6 days after the first breeding. (But that's just me and for my rabbits.)

(I never leave when I put a buck and doe together... I keep an eye on them to make sure no one gets hurt and to see if they accomplish what I inteneded them to do!)

Yes I definitely want to know who the daddy is for the pedigree. They were put together on Friday for the first time and were together last on Monday. Maybe if I leave it till Thursday or Friday to test?
When you say she "accepts" him do you mean actually let him mount her or just not bite him away? I am just a bit worried they start the cuddling again and I end up hanging around the cage for ages. That was the reason I left them to it as they did nothing apart from licking each other for hours. I guess if they just snuggle up I'm none the wiser?

 

[BlueGiants]

If they don't get around to "it" in 20-30 minutes take her away. Try again later. He'll get the idea that he has to "get down to business" a little faster.

 

[Sabine]

Maybe I should have done this the first time. I guess in the meantime I keep adding the cider vinegar to the water