4m x 3m Omlet pen, cube, new auto door still boxed and coop light

[v2002brown]

ive just brought a girl and boy i want to have at least one litter from them they are both 12 weeks old they have been humping already when shouls i expect bunnies?

[FruitandNutCake]

I would think very seriously before breeding them. Are they pure breds? I guess you haven't bred rabbits before.

 

Assuming they are not pure breds:

 

What will you do with the resulting babies (if they survive?) Do you already have homes lined up for them? What will happen if you don't have homes for them?

 

Are they brother and sister? You wouldn't want to inbreed.

 

Someone with better knowledge of successful breeding may come along, but from my own experience, young bunny girlies do not like to be humped continually by a vigorous young male rabbit, so you would have to seperate them so she doesn't die of exhaustion.

 

Also I had a young female who was already pregant when I got her - she mutilated all her litter - it was horendous to see.

 

I expect there is an optimum age at which to breed a female (not too young) and she would have to be kept seperate up until she is old enough, though I am hapy to be corrected by someone with more experience and knowledge.

 

Unless you are embarking on a pure-bred breeding programme, I would suggest it would be much better for both rabbits to be nuetered - they will be much happier!

 

Michelle

[FruitandNutCake]

also see this thread http://club.omlet.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2659&highlight=breeding+rabbits

 

hope the link works

 

Michelle

[v2002brown]

i havent breed rabbits before, not pure breeds and i got them at pet smart they are diffent breeds ones a dutch ones a half lop. Sounds like you had a very bad time with yours trouble is may be to late i took them both for check up yesterday the vet said the boys bits have dropped and they have been humping?

[FruitandNutCake]

I would seperate them as soon as possible. Whether she is pregnant or not, they will need to be seperated, but ideally kept near each other so they can see each other, but not be able to physically get together. Then get the male neutered first (they can be done from 3 months and as he has "dropped", there shouldn't be any reason why he can't be done straight away).

 

Then as soon as the female is 4 months, have her neutered too- even with the male nuetered it is still best for her.

 

I'm not sure if a vet will neuter her if there is a possibility she may be pregnant - the vet could tell you.

[v2002brown]

i will do that asap then, what if she is pregnant is it 28-32 days from mating? and i know i will have to get her a nest box wont i what else can i do please

[victoriabunny]

12 weeks is too young for the poor thing to be pregnant. She's still a baby herself and hasn't even finished growing yet. Please separate them and hope she isn't already pregnant as this will put her under a lot of strain. Female rabbits shouldn't be mated until six months of age. There is a high chance if she gets pregnant that she will miscarry or mutilate her young because of her age.

 

I would seriously question why you want to do this. Your rabbits are not purebreds so there is no reason to breed them. Rescue centres are overflowing with unwanted rabbits - why add to the pile? How can you guarantee all your rabbits will go to good homes? What will you do with the babies if their mother rejects them, as frequently happens with first-time mothers - have you got the time and resources to hand-rear them round the clock? What will you do if she has difficulties during labour and needs a cesarean? Having cute little babies running round isn't justification for breeding.

[FruitandNutCake]

V2002Brown,

 

if she is pregnant then between 29-35 days, though I think the average is about 31 days. Just hope that she isn't pregnant and put her in a seperate gace with bedding. If she is pregnant she may start making a nest and start pulling fur to line the nest. Best just to leave her in peace and see what happens. If nothing happens after 35 days, then get her to the vet to be spayed. Neutering makes bunnies much calmer (in most cases!) and is also better for their health.

[pelicano]

I have to agree with what has already been said. I really hope this bunny isn't pregnant.

[pelicano]

Vets will usually spay if there is a possibility of pregnancy - rescues have to do it all the time. I'm really not sure this bunny is old enough to be spayed though ( as well as not being old enough to have babies).

[buffie]

Sorry I am not very knowledgable about rabbits but did have 2 of my own many years ago.

 

Bunnies sound like a lovely idea, spring being here and all that but as with any pet breeding it's important to know what you are doing and what you are going to do with the possible outcome, it's a big responsiblity, time, vet fees etc and really shouldn't be undertaken lightly.

 

Please think about it carefully

 

 

BBx

[The Dogmother]

As victoriabunny has said, I can't stress too strongly that irresponsible and inexperienced bunny breeding is not to be entered into lightly. Sorry to sound so harsh, but I have seen enough of these experiments go bums up and little kits die.

 

Please do think again; I know that lots of people do think that bunnies breed well enough on their own, but that applies to wild ones, not the highly bred sorts that we keep domestically. I suspect that yours are probably too young to concieve just yet, but for their own good, please seperate them until you have had both of them neutered.

 

If you need any help or advice, please don't hesitate to PM either myself or victoriabunny.