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Rabbit Breeding 101

    Breeding Rabbits - Baby Rabbit Sleeping
    So you have done all your preparations and you are ready to breed your rabbit.

    There are a few things to keep in mind when rabbit breeding. You always take the doe to the buck. A doe can be very territorial, so if you introduce the buck into her cage she may very well try to fight with him. Believe me when I say the fur will fly! You may want to remove food, water dishes, and any toys that may be a distraction to either rabbit.

    Once you have placed the doe into the bucks cage they will most likely begin sniffing and circling each other. This will last anywhere from a few seconds to a few minutes. The buck will mount the doe, he may attempt to hang on with his front feet or grab a mouthful of fur, and when the doe is ready she will lift her bottom and allow the buck to mate her. Upon completion of mating the buck will “fall off”, quite literally he falls off and onto his side, usually he makes some type of grunting sound when this happens. The entire process usually takes only a couple of minutes.

    For the most success and to ensure a decent litter size, it is recommended to get 3 “fall offs” during one mating session. If your buck does not have 3 fall offs you can wait 6-8 hours and try again.

    And now you wait… 28-32 days is what many experts say, however in my experience with mini lops and holland lops the gestation period ranges from 30-33 days. Three days before the due date you will place the nesting box in the cage with the doe, and add extra hay and straw for the doe to begin making the nest.

    You can read more on what to expect when the litter of kits is born here. What To Do When My Rabbit Gives Birth.