Rabbit Breeding

Rabbit Breeding

Rabbits reach sexual maturity at different ages depending on their size. 

A small breed, such as a Netherland Dwarf, will be able to breed at 4 months old.

 A medium-sized rabbit like the Angoras will be able to be first bred at 5 to 6 months, and large breeds such as the Flemish Giant can be bred from 9 to 12

months of age. 

Most rabbits are bred through the natural breeding method.

A doe does not have regular heat periods or an estrus cycle.

 Instead, she will ovulate after mating. 

A doe can breed any time of the year, but she does have variable times where she will not accept mating. 

You should watch the doe for signs she is ready to be mated.

 These signs include:

•  Restlessness and nervousness

•  A deep red coloration of the vulva

•  Rubbing her chin on equipment

•  A desire to join other rabbits

To determine the sex of a rabbit, you need to turn the rabbit on its back. 

For small rabbits, they can be turned on their back using the crook of your arm to hold them. 

For larger rabbits, sit down and turn them on their back in your lap. 

If the rabbit struggles, hold it securely until it stays still. 

Use one hand to hold the rabbit’s chest and with the other take your thumb and forefinger to part the hair near the tail to expose its genitals — the opening nearest the belly. 

The anus is closest to the tail.

 Adult males older than 20 weeks will have flesh-colored testicles lying near the genital openings. These may be covered by fur so you may have to part the fur to find the testicles. 

If you do not see the testicles, you will need to place your thumb and your index finger on either side of the genital opening. 

Apply gentle pressure to expose the genitals. 

If you see a tube-like structure with a small opening, this is the penis. 

Females will have a somewhat prominent structure, but instead of a small opening, there will be a slit-like opening.

You will want to keep two bucks for every ten to 20 does. 

If you have less than ten does, it is also wise to keep two bucks in case one buck fails to inseminate the does. 

Good bucks will have a productive mating life of two to four years.

Bucks will molt (shed part of the fur coat) once a year for about a month and may not breed during this time. 

The productive reproduction schedule of a doe is two to three years. 

Do not breed closely related bucks and does such as siblings or half-siblings as inbreeding will increase the chance of genetic defects. 

When you obtain rabbits, you should make sure you know whether your rabbits are closely related to each other. 

If they are purebred or pedigree rabbits, they should

come with paperwork that shows their parentage.