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[Sonia]

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[Blessed Farm]

Well, first off, let me tell you, even judges have gotten it all wrong, so don't be too hard on yourself, especially at first. I can generally sex at 10 days, but most people have to wait until at least 2-3 weeks. Of course, the older they are the easier it is.

If you are checking around weaning time, 5-8 weeks (I wean at 8, but if the mom has a huge litter, or seems to need a break, I've gone earlier), you'll do pretty well. Hold the bun with it's hind feet facing you, by the scruff. Cradle the bun on your holding arm, and with the other hand, push the tail down with your thumb, and the top of the vent with your forefinger. As you stretch the vent open in this manner, you'll either see a slit that extends to the anus, or you'll see a rounder opening, and most times a penis will poke out. Occasionally, males of 8 weeks (but more likely around 14-16 weeks) will have testes developing, soft hairless sacs on either side of the vent.

Some breeds, you can just tell a buck from a doe by looking at their features, but vent sexing is the only way to know for certain.

HTH,

Kim
http://www.blessedfarm.com

 

[Sonia]

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[Blessed Farm]

I did see a site that had some good pics somewhere. I'll see if I can find it again.

;0)

Frankly, I have never separated my does and bucks unless I am raising them past 16 weeks. I've never had a doe bred younger than that, and I've raised well over 700 rabbits in my time so far. Not to say it can't happen, but it's really unlikely, and if you don't cave and 'let them live longer', you should be fine without doing it. You will, however, need to be able to sex at some point so you can keep replacement stock as your current breeders age. Always good to keep an eye on the very best does and bucks in your litters in case something suddenly happens to any of your breeding stock. I am eyeing my kits from about 2 weeks on. Fastest growers, with the best bulk, correct type/conformation, and fur (least important, but the tie breaker for me) are watched closely, and sometimes kept in special grow out cages after weaning to further assess if I want to use them, sell them, or keep them a while as back up.

Kim
http://www.blessedfarm.com

 

[Beekissed]

Quote:
Sorry, but does can be extremely territorial!!! Take the doe to the buck, otherwise you may end up with a castrated buck!

Sorry, you are right....typo mind fart! I meant it the other way around and I was picturing it in my head also! It just came out wrong! Thanks for the correction! Yes...take doe to buck or she may even bite his genital area....happened to my sister's buck!!!

 

[FutureChickenMan]

Quote:
http://www.rabbitnetwork.org/articles/sexing.shtml

 

[Downinmyback]

http://www.debmark.com/rabbits/sexing.htm

Here is a link to a site with pics and a description on sexing rabbits. I hope this helps.

 

[Blessed Farm]

http://www.rabbitnetwork.org/articles/sexing.shtml

This one has some of the best pictures, imho. I don't agree with House Rabbit Societies policies, so I am ONLY sharing this link for the photos on sexing, period.

HTH,

Kim

 

[Blessed Farm]

lol, I see someone beat me to the link. The other one is okay, but I think the pics are harder to determine sex from. You have to kinda know what you are looking at to make out the genders on those photos.

Sorry it took me so long, had to go do chores, and the buck (goat) decided he's had enough of being in his own run. He was out wandering around, so had to go jimmy up something to keep him in his place overnight.

Kim

 

[Frosty]

A few small things that I would like to add... first, keep the bucks and does seperate except for breeding. If they are left together and he keeps pestering her, she could well castrate him. Second, if you decide to build your own pens... DH built me a really nice looking pen with a 2x4 wood frame and wire attached to the outside. The rabbits ate the frame. If you build a fenced area on the ground, they can dig their way out (and dig burrows to have the kits in, you'll never see them until they pop out of the ground). And last, make sure that you give them something to chew on (I liked to use sections of apple branches). Their teeth constantly grow and need to be kept worn down.