Breeding Q/help

[secuono]

I've got a couple Qs I need you guys to help me out with. I've looked things up about this and that and now need you guys to confirm in a way.
How old should the buck be before he can breed? My Silver Fox pair is 6mo, 7mo in a week or so. Both are new to it all. I've brought her to him a few times, she's never really into it much. Even with waiting a few days and all.
How do you check to see if it took? I've read you hold her head facing you, fingers under the belly up to either side of the spine for little balls in a row. Nothing there, not sure if I'm even checking correctly. :/
Any help would be great. Do you think either or may be too young? Should I just wait another week and re-test, put in the nest just in-case in 2 weeks?
She is 2lbs larger than him, actually larger, not just fat.

 

[oneacrefarm]

I've got a couple Qs I need you guys to help me out with. I've looked things up about this and that and now need you guys to confirm in a way.
How old should the buck be before he can breed? My Silver Fox pair is 6mo, 7mo in a week or so. Both are new to it all. I've brought her to him a few times, she's never really into it much. Even with waiting a few days and all.
How do you check to see if it took? I've read you hold her head facing you, fingers under the belly up to either side of the spine for little balls in a row. Nothing there, not sure if I'm even checking correctly. :/
Any help would be great. Do you think either or may be too young? Should I just wait another week and re-test, put in the nest just in-case in 2 weeks?
She is 2lbs larger than him, actually larger, not just fat.

When you put her in with the buck, did he actually finish? ie. grunt, fall off or to the side, etc.? If not, then he likely did not succeed. Your buck is plenty old enough. How much does the doe weigh and did you check her "parts" for readiness? ie. dark pink to purple=ready to go, pink to dark pink=maybe, white to lite pink=not ready

 

[secuono]

What makes the color change? Just the presence of the buck, certain age? Not sure what color range she's at now. I can check later in the day.
Yea, he definitely does that, such a guy, lol. He does that every time. He's missed the 1st or 2nd time, but then again she's never really up for it.

 

[Ms. Research]

What makes the color change? Just the presence of the buck, certain age? Not sure what color range she's at now. I can check later in the day.
Yea, he definitely does that, such a guy, lol. He does that every time. He's missed the 1st or 2nd time, but then again she's never really up for it.

Can tell your a guy. It's hormone levels that make the vulva change colors as oneacrefarm stated. The darker the vulva, the hormone levels are high, and your doe is ready. Like a guy, the buck is ALWAYS ready. Please stop giving him a complex and just check the doe before you start. Both of your frustrations will slip away and she will do what she is made to do, be a good mom and give you plenty of kits. Plus a good grunt for your buck.

 

[secuono]

What makes the color change? Just the presence of the buck, certain age? Not sure what color range she's at now. I can check later in the day.
Yea, he definitely does that, such a guy, lol. He does that every time. He's missed the 1st or 2nd time, but then again she's never really up for it.

Can tell your a guy. It's hormone levels that make the vulva change colors as oneacrefarm stated. The darker the vulva, the hormone levels are high, and your doe is ready. Like a guy, the buck is ALWAYS ready. Please stop giving him a complex and just check the doe before you start. Both of your frustrations will slip away and she will do what she is made to do, be a good mom and give you plenty of kits. Plus a good grunt for your buck.

I'm a woman, I just know how guys are and how b*tchy us ladies can be, lol. What I meant by that is, what will get her in the mood? She lives in the same hutch as him, separate sides, though. Should I just check her everyday until she likes him or let them have playdates, switch sides, feed her something special, etc.

 

[oneacrefarm]

Things I have heard to try are:

1) Apple Cider Vinegar in the water for a week or so. 1Tblsp to 1Gal

2) Switch their cages for a while

3) Up the fat in her diet, ie. BOSS 1tsp daily

Never had to use any of these, so I am just repeating what I have heard from others....

Also, it could be time of day related. Try her at different times, ie. early morning, late afternoon, evening. Some rabbits have times that they prefer to breed.

Hope it helps!

Shannon

 

[Ms. Research]

What makes the color change? Just the presence of the buck, certain age? Not sure what color range she's at now. I can check later in the day.
Yea, he definitely does that, such a guy, lol. He does that every time. He's missed the 1st or 2nd time, but then again she's never really up for it.

Can tell your a guy. It's hormone levels that make the vulva change colors as oneacrefarm stated. The darker the vulva, the hormone levels are high, and your doe is ready. Like a guy, the buck is ALWAYS ready. Please stop giving him a complex and just check the doe before you start. Both of your frustrations will slip away and she will do what she is made to do, be a good mom and give you plenty of kits. Plus a good grunt for your buck.

I'm a woman, I just know how guys are and how b*tchy us ladies can be, lol. What I meant by that is, what will get her in the mood? She lives in the same hutch as him, separate sides, though. Should I just check her everyday until she likes him or let them have playdates, switch sides, feed her something special, etc.

Sorry!

Yes us females can get a little b*tchy plus make everything about us. Does are like that and it's all on her time. Good suggestion from oneacrefarm is possible switch cages. Just a new view can help a doe. I would watch her fat intake because does can collect fat around their fallopian tubes which will also stop conception. Once she's in the new location, let her settle a few days and then check her "lady" parts to see if a change of color. Then put her in with the buck. Also I read that rabbits pick up on our anxiety. She might feel how frustrated you are. I would be too. We all want healthy kits. That's what I would do.

 

[doubled]

What makes the color change? Just the presence of the buck, certain age? Not sure what color range she's at now. I can check later in the day.
Yea, he definitely does that, such a guy, lol. He does that every time. He's missed the 1st or 2nd time, but then again she's never really up for it.

Can tell your a guy. It's hormone levels that make the vulva change colors as oneacrefarm stated. The darker the vulva, the hormone levels are high, and your doe is ready. Like a guy, the buck is ALWAYS ready. Please stop giving him a complex and just check the doe before you start. Both of your frustrations will slip away and she will do what she is made to do, be a good mom and give you plenty of kits. Plus a good grunt for your buck.

I'm a woman, I just know how guys are and how b*tchy us ladies can be, lol. What I meant by that is, what will get her in the mood? She lives in the same hutch as him, separate sides, though. Should I just check her everyday until she likes him or let them have playdates, switch sides, feed her something special, etc.

IN the MOOD? Bottle of nice wine, soft music, box chocolates........

Yes I'm a guy !!!!!

 

[secuono]

I think me and the doe are similar, we both just rather not..lol.
Eh, ok, I switched cages. Gave them an alfalfa horse cube, buck went right for it, what a pig. Doe is watching her weight, lol, not really, idk, she sniffed it over and went to her pellets instead.

 

[crazyturkeydesigns]

I think me and the doe are similar, we both just rather not..lol.
Eh, ok, I switched cages. Gave them an alfalfa horse cube, buck went right for it, what a pig. Doe is watching her weight, lol, not really, idk, she sniffed it over and went to her pellets instead.

LOL, ditto!
Anywhooo
Someone mentioned time of day too, and imo it's better to breed in the morning/night. I've had some success breeding in the morning before I feed, but it tends to work better with the sables than the mini rex. They just want to get to the food
Good luck and let us know how it goes! It can be frustrating but it'll be worth when you have some fat little babies in the nest box.