Too soon for a new buck?

[en16649]

Hey there,

I was thinking of starting a small rabbitry (after lots of research and experience with mouse breeding so I’mfamiliar with line breeding to better the breed).

I seem to have fallen at the first hurdle - I got 1 doe and 2 bucks around the same time, but a cat got into the bucks hutch and they escaped. That was 2 weeks ago and I doubt they’ll ever be seen again. I miss them a lot but I’ve got the issue my doe is around 4 months now, and so I’m probably going to have to get another buck soon so he can be old enough to have a first litter before my doe turns 6/7 months, as i know it’s best to have a litter around that time.

so the question is; will a 4 month buck reproduce with a 6 month doe?

how do you go about approaching rabbitrys for older bucks, if that’s an option?

it feels like it’s too soon to be thinking about it, but Iwouldnt Want to put the doe at riskby having a late litter.

thanks!

 

[majorv]

An alternative is to get an older buck or one that is already proven and just wait until the doe is 6 months old. I’d also make sure your hutch is secure so nothing can get in again.

 

[en16649]

An alternative is to get an older buck or one that is already proven and just wait until the doe is 6 months old. I’d also make sure your hutch is secure so nothing can get in again.

That was the plan, but it seems there’s none of the color/type I’d want in a close enough area. Also don’t worry, I’m upgrading to a playhouse/shed for them with attached run.

 

[majorv]

If you have to use a younger buck then it might take a little longer to get her bred. If you know how to correctly palpate then you don’t have to wait the 30 days to see if she took.
You can usually safely breed a first time doe until they are a year old, maybe 1 1/2yrs.