Rabbit breeding question - nesting but not pregnant?

[Barredhen]

We have four does who live together and two bucks who live separately. I put two does in with a buck (one each) and left them in for a couple of weeks. At which point I assumed the does bred and brought them back to the doe pen which includes several hutches and nesting boxes.

While they were gone with the boys, one of the remaining does who is NOT bred started to show signs of pseudopregnancy, to furr pull and nest in one of the boxes.

Meanwhile one of the does in with a buck started to take the bedding from his hutch and run around with it in her mouth outside in his run so I assumed her bred and looking to nest. She is always a early nester.

When I brought both girl buns back from the buck hutch they started nests. All of the does were happy to be together again.

30 days came and went, no kits. But I do have four does mounting each other like crazy now? The two does who went in with bucks have stopped nesting. I just put them back in with the bucks and neither have shown any interests in breeding. Both are mounting the bucks.

I have never had any of this (false pregnancies, no litter, mounting bucks...) so I was curious, any thoughts? I wonder if the does are so bonded (they live together in a 12x12 stall with hutches and boxes and "second stories" to go into) that removing two stressed the whole lot out?

 

[sourland]

Rabbits are induced ovulators, and there is the possibilities of does riding one another causing ovulation, unwillingness to breed with bucks, and false pregnancies.

 

[SpotTheCat]

Removing rabbits from a group and reintroduced them will stress them unfortunately.
How long did you leave the does in with the bucks?
When they are close to being due you should not move them unless you have to.

 

[Barredhen]

The time that I leave them in with the bucks varies. Sometimes just a few hours especially if I see breeding. Others a week or so.
They haven't had an issue in years past, but this year the does seem to be upset over being seperated.

 

[SpotTheCat]

The time that I leave them in with the bucks varies. Sometimes just a few hours especially if I see breeding. Others a week or so.
They haven't had an issue in years past, but this year the does seem to be upset over being seperated.

Are they the same does you have been breeding for years?
How old are they?

 

[Barredhen]

One was born spring of 2018.
Three are her daughters/sisters born June of 2019.

We breed the "mom" but this spring is the first time that I have taken out and bred one of the three sisters.

 

[SpotTheCat]

One was born spring of 2018.
Three are her daughters/sisters born June of 2019.

We breed the "mom" but this spring is the first time that I have taken out and bred one of the three sisters.

They are quite old for there first time that’s probably way you are having problems. how old are the bucks?

 

[Barredhen]

One buck was also born in 2018 the other late 2019.

 

[SpotTheCat]

One buck was also born in 2018 the other late 2019.

The bucks may have been shooting blanks since they have not been bred for so long.
I have heard of does mounting bucks because they want to be bred or it could be a dominance thing, how long did you leave the does in with the bucks on your second try?

 

[Barredhen]

I just put them in. One yesterday, one today. We will see how it goes..