They don't always "breed like rabbits"

I have only book reading experience at this point with rabbits. I have read that males and females can form bonds with each other that are pretty strong, so your observations seem to back that up.

 

Oh, yes, rabbits can have preferences. In fact, trying the doe with another buck is one of the things most often recommended when a doe seems like she should be ready but won't cooperate. Putting rabbits you are eventually intending to breed together in cages next to each other is also one of the old "tried and true" pieces of advice. On the other hand, I have sometimes had to move does to other cages when two simply couldn't stand each other - obviously, 1" x 2" wire doesn't make the grade as far as good fences making good neighbors.

 

Exactly. Another thing that usually works is switching the rabbit's hutches for a day or two, so they can pick up each other's scent. Be careful with putting rabbits too close with wire that has large spacing. If they don't fight, they could mate through the cage wire.

 

Well, I always kept my bucks on one side of the rabbitry and the does on the other... I did not ever keep a doe and a buck side by side. I never had an issue. The bucks were sort of competing with each other, because there was a buck right next door so they always bred their doe. However, with my sheep, I had a Jacob ram who refused to breed a Rambouliette ewe. Just would not have anything to do with her. To him, she was not "really" a sheep. He was an older ram and had always bred other Jacobs his whole life.

Maybe try a younger buck with no experience. Perhaps your Silver Fox buck simply does not consider a chin or a New Zealand a "real" rabbit.

BTW: used to raise Silver Fox and loved them! Glad to hear you have them.