angora rabbits

hoovesgalore

Ridin' The Range
Joined
Dec 1, 2021
Messages
76
Reaction score
82
Points
63
I have 2 pedigreed angora rabbits a chocolate male and a white female there are like 8 months but iv tried to get her bred but she's not being receptive what should I do?
 

Alaskan

Herd Master
Joined
May 9, 2017
Messages
5,366
Reaction score
12,588
Points
553
Location
Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
She will only be receptive when in heat.

Are you able to tell when she is on heat? And put them together then?
 

hoovesgalore

Ridin' The Range
Joined
Dec 1, 2021
Messages
76
Reaction score
82
Points
63
rabbits don't go into heat there just receptive.
 

hoovesgalore

Ridin' The Range
Joined
Dec 1, 2021
Messages
76
Reaction score
82
Points
63
I was told rabbits don't go into heat.
 

Alaskan

Herd Master
Joined
May 9, 2017
Messages
5,366
Reaction score
12,588
Points
553
Location
Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
All female mammals of reproductive age cycle. That cycle includes a point where they are ovulating, and capable of becoming pregnant. Often the point of ovulation is called "going into heat".

Some though, are WAY more obvious than others.

You might have been told that "rabbits don't go into heat" simply because it isn't as obvious as with some other animals.

At a guess. :idunno
 

hoovesgalore

Ridin' The Range
Joined
Dec 1, 2021
Messages
76
Reaction score
82
Points
63
a doe does not go into heat as other animals do. the doe will accept the male any time of the year. That's why they don't have a heat cycle. I did some more research. And I got them from an angora breeder who breeds for show-quality rabbits and told me that they never leave heat.
 

Alaskan

Herd Master
Joined
May 9, 2017
Messages
5,366
Reaction score
12,588
Points
553
Location
Kenai Peninsula, Alaska
a doe does not go into heat as other animals do. the doe will accept the male any time of the year. That's why they don't have a heat cycle. I did some more research. And I got them from an angora breeder who breeds for show-quality rabbits and told me that they never leave heat.
Well.... it is very true that they do not go into heat as does a cow, and they do not menstruate.

However, their receptivity does vary.

Here is maybe a better web page to explain it.

Quote: "the doe will vary in receptivity as ovarian follicles regress and new follicles mature. Periods of receptivity last anywhere from 5 to 14 days and are followed by one to two days in which the doe will refuse to mate"

from https://lafeber.com/vet/rabbit-reproduction-basics/
 

hoovesgalore

Ridin' The Range
Joined
Dec 1, 2021
Messages
76
Reaction score
82
Points
63
ok, that makes more sense thanks.
 

Ridgetop

Herd Master
Joined
Mar 13, 2015
Messages
6,572
Reaction score
22,271
Points
693
Location
Shadow Hills, CA
Rabbits do not go into heat like other mammals. Rabbits are in almost continual estrus until they are bred. HOWEVER, the length of daylight hours will also determine the breeding receptivity of the rabbit does. Short daylight hours (winter) will make does less receptive. You can put lights in your rabbitry and leave them on to crete a false longer day. This helps. Heat will make older rabbit bucks sterile until the temperature drops for a few weeks.

Several things to determine:
How old are the rabbits?
Are you sure that they are not both does or both bucks?

Older does 11-12 months and older do not always breed as easily as younger does. You have to remember that a rabbit is relatively short lived and that they are begin to breed and produce at 6 months old. They are at their most fertile time to rebreed about 3-5 days after kindling. In a production rabbitry you should keep all does bred, kindling, and lactating at all times. I used to rebreed my does when their kits were 4-6 weeks old so the does would kindle again within 2 weeks after their last litter was removed. Around 3-4 years the size of litters drops, the doe may not take every time, or she may not be receptive to the buck. Around 5 years old her productive life is pretty much over if you are breeding her for meat production.

Make sure to sex both rabbits and make sure that his penis and her vulva are clear of any inflammation. Normally a clean vulva that is bright red can signal a receptive doe. However, any scaly debris around her vulva and his penis might signal vent disease. Did you get these rabbit as kits, or were they adult breeding age rabbits? I bought a Grand Champion buck from an out of state breeder for a large sum one time. Then I found out that he was not an ethical breeder. The buck he sold me had vent disease - rabbit syphilis. Vent disease does not show signs constantly, it comes and goes but is contagious at all times. By the time I found that my beautiful champion had vent disease, I had bred him to most of my does. I ended up having to euthanize/get rid of my entire flock of Holland Lops.

Depending on what the problem is with your doe's distaste for breeding, first I would put lights over the rabbit cages to lengthen the "daylight hours". Then if she is still not interested in lifting for the buck put her in the car and take a drive around for about 15 minutes. When you get back immediately put her in with the buck. No one knows why, but this little car ride seems to make the does more receptive.

Hopefully this will work.
 

Latest posts

Top