New addition to my mini zoo! Advice from rabbit people pls

Tortlover · 06-12-2008, 02:08 PM

Went out yesterday to get some pet supplies and came across a very friendly little bunny. He is an English Rabbit (black, white and kinda fluffy) and was just so adorable that I had to bring him home....

Photo's to follow soon....

I already have 2 lady bunnies who are both around 8 months old and have not been fixed yet....I would like both to have one litter before I get them 'done'. At what age will my new little man be viable for daddy duties? And is there anything I need to do to ensure that 'it' happens??

I did introduce him to them yesterday and he wasnt the slightest bit interested...lol.
I am unsure of his exact age although I do know he is around 10-12 weeks...so a little young I think?? Any advice/ pointers much appreciated!

Oh...and I do have homes set up for the babies if they arrive...

Helen M · 06-12-2008, 03:38 PM

Hmm... if i was you i really would think twice about having a litter. There are thousands of rabbits in need of a good home in rescue centres and by breeding your rabbits you could potentially be adding to the problem, particularly if you can't keep a tab on where the babies end up.
I would say that males are usually fully mature at 6 months. This tends to be the time when they are almost fully grown and when they can be castrated. 10-12 weeks is a little too young. Your best allowing the little fellow to grow before you introduce them again.
Helen xx

Zen · 06-12-2008, 05:39 PM

Hi Charlie, congrats on your new edition.

Bunnies can be sexually active from 4 months, which i think is too young really, so the longer you leave it the better.
If you do go ahead, perhaps having a definate list of people 'wanting' babies and not just 'interested'. Also they can still get females pregnant for between 6-8 weeks after castration so it's best to keep them separated afterwards also.

Introducing them to each other slowly, is good, eg placing cages next to each other so they can sniff but can wander away if they want too.

HTH

Rachael

Tortlover · 06-12-2008, 06:33 PM

Thanks for the advice

x

anna m · 11-12-2008, 03:23 PM

You must post some pictures of your new addition

lozzy2k1 · 25-12-2008, 11:32 PM

hi they can mate from about 12week but would prob best leave it longer sometimes it happens sometimes not. they are only pregnant for about 1month though and finding homes can be quite difficult but it gets harder to keep em together wwen they reach about 3 month as they start to maTE n stuff xx

Kazendy · 27-01-2009, 06:02 PM

Hi

Just caught up with this thread - sorry not been on the forum for a while.

a) It is best to wait until the buck is 6 months old and mature
b) Always put the doe into the bucks hutch and never the other way round as the doe will be territorial and could attack the buck.
c) An easy way to check if a doe is ready for mating is to check her bits and they will be red if she is ready to mate
d) Gestation period is 31 days from the day of mating (day of mating counted as day 1)
e) The doe will need plenty of barley straw about a week prior to kindling (having the babies)
f) Despite petshops taking in babies that are far too young to leave mum, please do not let them go to new homes before they are 8 weeks old.

As everyone else as stressed please think about this carefully before having a litter.

Please think carefully before a litter as everyone as pointed out you need

Kazendy · 27-01-2009, 06:04 PM

Just noticed your signature - please do not mate a mini to an english as there is a considerable size difference.

Tortlover · 27-01-2009, 06:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kazendy

Just noticed your signature - please do not mate a mini to an english as there is a considerable size difference.

Hi Wendy,
Thanks for your advice....I have already taken my girlies in and had them 'done' no baby bunnies here

I appreciate you replying tho

Lyn · 28-01-2009, 02:46 PM

I had my little rescue girl done the other week. She was so groggy when I bought her home but she has healed really well.
Will be getting her a friend from my local rescue when she has had a bit more time to get over the spay.
Would love to see pics of your buns!
I lost my bonded pair last year and said "no more" but just hated being bunniless.

06-12-2008, 02:08 PM	#1
Tortlover Member Hatchling Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Herts/Essex border Posts: 614	New addition to my mini zoo! Advice from rabbit people pls Went out yesterday to get some pet supplies and came across a very friendly little bunny. He is an English Rabbit (black, white and kinda fluffy) and was just so adorable that I had to bring him home.... Photo's to follow soon.... I already have 2 lady bunnies who are both around 8 months old and have not been fixed yet....I would like both to have one litter before I get them 'done'. At what age will my new little man be viable for daddy duties? And is there anything I need to do to ensure that 'it' happens?? I did introduce him to them yesterday and he wasnt the slightest bit interested...lol. I am unsure of his exact age although I do know he is around 10-12 weeks...so a little young I think?? Any advice/ pointers much appreciated! Oh...and I do have homes set up for the babies if they arrive... __________________ www.cutecritterz.co.uk www.prickly-critterz.co.uk

06-12-2008, 05:39 PM	#3
Zen Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Banbury Oxfordshire Posts: 2,623	Hi Charlie, congrats on your new edition. Bunnies can be sexually active from 4 months, which i think is too young really, so the longer you leave it the better. If you do go ahead, perhaps having a definate list of people 'wanting' babies and not just 'interested'. Also they can still get females pregnant for between 6-8 weeks after castration so it's best to keep them separated afterwards also. Introducing them to each other slowly, is good, eg placing cages next to each other so they can sniff but can wander away if they want too. HTH Rachael __________________ Rachael & Zen (THB) 'Show gratitude to every living thing'

06-12-2008, 06:33 PM	#4
Tortlover Member Hatchling Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Herts/Essex border Posts: 614	Thanks for the advice x __________________ www.cutecritterz.co.uk www.prickly-critterz.co.uk

25-12-2008, 11:32 PM	#6
lozzy2k1 Member Hatched Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Shipley, Bradford, uk Posts: 352	hi they can mate from about 12week but would prob best leave it longer sometimes it happens sometimes not. they are only pregnant for about 1month though and finding homes can be quite difficult but it gets harder to keep em together wwen they reach about 3 month as they start to maTE n stuff xx __________________ Lozzy 1 Leopard-Georgie 4 years old 1 Marginated- 5 years old 2 twin Turkish Spur-popeye/percy 3 years old 1 dog-cavalier king-charles-Alfie 2 years old 1 parrotlet-Kiwi- 2 year old Tropical Fish Gold fish 3 bunnies- Muffin, Gizmo, Buttons 1 guinea pig- Guiness Pond fish

27-01-2009, 06:02 PM	#7
Kazendy Member Incubating Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: South Yorkshire Posts: 170	Hi Just caught up with this thread - sorry not been on the forum for a while. a) It is best to wait until the buck is 6 months old and mature b) Always put the doe into the bucks hutch and never the other way round as the doe will be territorial and could attack the buck. c) An easy way to check if a doe is ready for mating is to check her bits and they will be red if she is ready to mate d) Gestation period is 31 days from the day of mating (day of mating counted as day 1) e) The doe will need plenty of barley straw about a week prior to kindling (having the babies) f) Despite petshops taking in babies that are far too young to leave mum, please do not let them go to new homes before they are 8 weeks old. As everyone else as stressed please think about this carefully before having a litter. Please think carefully before a litter as everyone as pointed out you need __________________ Wendy 1 Tort & Breeder/Exhibitor of Mini & Mini Lion Lops

06-12-2008, 03:38 PM	#2
Helen M Senior Member Adult Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 2,362	Hmm... if i was you i really would think twice about having a litter. There are thousands of rabbits in need of a good home in rescue centres and by breeding your rabbits you could potentially be adding to the problem, particularly if you can't keep a tab on where the babies end up. I would say that males are usually fully mature at 6 months. This tends to be the time when they are almost fully grown and when they can be castrated. 10-12 weeks is a little too young. Your best allowing the little fellow to grow before you introduce them again. Helen xx

11-12-2008, 03:23 PM	#5
anna m Senior Member Adult Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Hertfordshire Posts: 4,091	You must post some pictures of your new addition

27-01-2009, 06:04 PM	#8
Kazendy Member Incubating Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: South Yorkshire Posts: 170	Just noticed your signature - please do not mate a mini to an english as there is a considerable size difference. __________________ Wendy 1 Tort & Breeder/Exhibitor of Mini & Mini Lion Lops

28-01-2009, 02:46 PM	#10
Lyn Senior Member Adult Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 3,533	I had my little rescue girl done the other week. She was so groggy when I bought her home but she has healed really well. Will be getting her a friend from my local rescue when she has had a bit more time to get over the spay. Would love to see pics of your buns! I lost my bonded pair last year and said "no more" but just hated being bunniless. Last edited by Lyn; 28-01-2009 at 02:47 PM. Reason: speeling mistake.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)