Rabbits Won't breed

[nayeli]

Well yes, I see your point, but remember in the wild they don't get picked up every day by humans. My concern is that I might crush a few unborn bunnies in my attempt to hold her still not that she can't handle being pregnant and nursing at the same time. My rabbits aren't "cuddle bunnies" they are rarely held so they fight you when you pick them up. I breed them for meat and the only time I pick them up is when moving them to the breeding pen, (or as of now, bringing them inside to feed Lucky) so they don't really like to be held and all this struggling may cause damage to the bunnies she's carrying. Do you see where my concern is?

Yes, but I can assure you I picked up my pregnant rabbit doe and she only had one stillborn (which occurs naturally btw and I doubt was caused by me picking her up). If you want to wait til the kit is weaned that is fine. For forced feedings I personally gently picked mine up, set her in the nestbox and fed and pet her. I wasn't forceful enough to cause damage. Even breeding for meat you should handle the kits often to avoid your rabbits fighting you... if you sold them they would also sell better.

 

[Rememberthedeer]

Yes, I try to handle the kits more often, for every now and then I actually have someone ask me if they could buy one, so those are used to being held. (Plus the neighbor kids love coming over to play with them) Just the adults aren't. I avoid handling my females when their pregnant, meaning that they won't be used to being held when weaning so my does aren't really that gentle toward human hands (tho I try to be as gentle as possible to them). But my buck is, he's a really nice rabbit that one can handle, mainly because he's old (but he has more life in him than I give him credit for).

So I decided that (at least for this season) I'll wait till the bunny is weaned before breeding the doe again, (to save stressing both her and I out) and come the winter (I don't breed them in the winter) I'll try and use that time to get my does used to being held so that if this happens again next year, I could have more control over the situation. But thank you for your advice, believe it or not you have helped me in several different ways. If I have any more problems or questions with my rabbits this Summer/fall, I'll be sure to let you know. Thanks again =)

 

[nayeli]

No problem! I respect your decision. I'm expecting kits any day now (although I didn't palpatate so I'm just hoping the pregnancy took).

 

[cassie]

Yes, I try to handle the kits more often, for every now and then I actually have someone ask me if they could buy one, so those are used to being held. (Plus the neighbor kids love coming over to play with them) Just the adults aren't. I avoid handling my females when their pregnant, meaning that they won't be used to being held when weaning so my does aren't really that gentle toward human hands (tho I try to be as gentle as possible to them). But my buck is, he's a really nice rabbit that one can handle, mainly because he's old (but he has more life in him than I give him credit for).

So I decided that (at least for this season) I'll wait till the bunny is weaned before breeding the doe again, (to save stressing both her and I out) and come the winter (I don't breed them in the winter) I'll try and use that time to get my does used to being held so that if this happens again next year, I could have more control over the situation. But thank you for your advice, believe it or not you have helped me in several different ways. If I have any more problems or questions with my rabbits this Summer/fall, I'll be sure to let you know. Thanks again =)

One thing you need to be aware of. Since that doe isn't working (nursing one kit is certainly not working) you need to make sure she doesn't get too fat. If she gets too fat, she definitely won't breed. But given her record, that may be a good thing.

 

[Rememberthedeer]

I'll keep that in mind. I've never really had problems with that, but it's something I'll look out for. Thanks again