Breeding New Zealand rabbits Q

[pullonyourboots]

I have been doing a bunch of research on them and cant seem to find the best time for them to mate for this particular breed. One website said at 5 months... another said 8-9 months... when did you start breeding yours?

 

[Glenmar]

9 mos, but some may take a while longer.

 

[MrMayo]

I have a friend that bread his @ 5 months. One had a litter of 8 with 6 survival and the other had a litter of 4 with all surviving. I purchased 7 of the 10. There all in perfect health. They are 7 weeks now and there are a few that are just HUGE!!!! I will be keeping these for breed stock.

 

[Chickerdoodle13]

I would be more comfortable recommending a person wait until the rabbits is at least 8-9 months old, though many are bred much earlier and do just fine. However, just because they CAN breed young, doesn't always mean it is best for the health of the animal.

 

[handyman42]

Typically it's best to wait for the young'ns to be 8-9 months with New Zealands. The smaller breeds can be bred earlier but the bigger the breed the long you want to wait because the bigger the babies will be and the more potential to hurt a smaller rabbit during birth or be to big to birth and kill mother and babies.

 

[SA Farm]

I'll usually start mine by 6 months. Just got two litters from new mamas, they had 8 each and no losses. I have found that there are some does that will let you/the buck know when she's ready. If a young doe refuses (hides in the corner), I'll leave off for a couple more weeks before I try her again. Sometimes they know better than we do