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This is basic guide to breeding from your pet rabbit based on over 15 years of practical experience in breeding and selling small animals. Before you start it is important to read as much as
possible on the subject. Books are available in your local pet shop or in the
library. It is also important to consider your responsibilities for the welfare
of the parent animals and their offspring. Do consider how you will rehome the
young; do not think that friends will take them or that the local pet shop will
automatically want them. Breeding rabbits, or any animals, should not be seen as a money making venture. remember you are responsible for the lives of any Young born. I repeat , This is Not a money making venture . The breeding of Rabbits will take up a lot of your time. You will need a separate hutch for the buck and doe as well as a third hutch for the young. Giving birth can be stressful to the doe and complications can arise that may cost you a lot of money in vets fees and could harm or even kill the doe.
Basic Sexing of Rabbits. With a little practice this becomes quite easy. It is not always possible to accurately sex a rabbit under 8 weeks old, We recommend that any rabbit sexed under 8 weeks is checked again! Once the buck is over 4 months old he will have prominent testicles , so is quite easy to sex. If in any doubt , consult an experienced rabbit keeper or a vet with rabbit knowledge.
Rabbits should not be bred before six months of age. You
should choose a mate for your rabbit that is the same variety as your own and in
perfect health. Firstly introduce the Buck (male) to the Doe (Female). They should mate almost immediately. After an hour remove the Buck and mark a calendar as day 1. Hopefully the Doe is now pregnant and should be left alone. Make sure she receives the very best in hard feed, plenty of hay and unlimited access to fresh water. Clean the hutch out on day 25. Around day 30 She will make a fur lined nest and give birth. If she has not given birth after day 32 then she was not pregnant and can be remated. It is important that you leave her alone with her young for at least 14days. The young should now have their eyes open and will be covered in fur. You can now give the hutch a good clean out. The young will wean themselves naturally at four to five weeks of age and should be separated from the Doe and by sex at six to seven weeks old. The young can then be rehomed at no less than 8 weeks old.
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