Breeding Rabbit in Commercial Scale

Rabbit breeding may be something of a cliché when it comes to the wild, but if you are planning to launch a commercial rabbit farming enterprise, then there are a few things you will need to know about how to successfully breed rabbits in captivity. That is because commercial rabbit production needs to be predictable and manageable. Basically, you need to plan.

The first thing you need to know is that rabbits can only be bred once they reach physical and sexual maturity. Depending on the breed, you choose to farm with, that could be anything from four to seven months old. That is why it is sometimes better to invest in an older breeding pair than to buy baby rabbits, and wait for them to mature.

You will also need to consider the type of rabbit breeding you want to be involved in. Farmers who breed for meat purposes don't have to be overly concerned about the appearance of their breeding stock, their lineage or their physical attributes, but those who are breeding for show purposes, or for wool production (as is the case with angora rabbits) will need to consider genetics and more when deciding on their breeding schedule.

The average doe that is being bred to produce a litter for meat production will be bred on a thirty-five day schedule, which allows enough time for recovery after a litter of kits, and ensures that she will be receptive to her mate. It is usually a good idea to check your breeding does for general health before mating them again, as rabbits that are in ill-health will not produce a quality litter.

Bucks that are used for stud purposes are usually mated once a day, although they are able to mate more often than this. It's usually also a good idea to rest a stud buck in between mating, if he will be required to perform more than once a day.

The mating process itself is fairly simple. A doe is selected, and then moved to the buck's cage. This is done because does tend to be territorial, and are less likely to mate in their own cage. Mating should occur almost instantly if the doe is ready to breed, and many farmers allow their breeding pairs to mate twice, to ensure that the mating 'takes.'

Around twenty-eight to thirty-two days after the mating, the doe will produce a litter, which may include as many as a dozen kits, and those kits will mature enough to eat on their own within two weeks of birth.

Even in the wild, a single doe can produce up to eight hundred children, grand children and great grand children in a single breeding season (which in the case of rabbits, is nine months of the year.) It is easy to see, therefore, how a few quality-breeding pairs can stock a commercial rabbitry on their own in less than a year.

The secret to successful, commercially viable rabbit production is usually a good rabbit breeding program, which allows your breeding pairs enough rest in between litters.

Learn from Breeding Rabbit in The Wild

If you are wondering about rabbit breeding, then you should understand that there is a good reason that the saying 'breeds like rabbits' means rampant reproduction!

In the wild, a single doe can mother a line of descendants that can number as many as eight hundred in a single breeding season! Of course, since rabbits are also at the bottom of the food chain, many of those offspring will not survive to adulthood, but there is a lot the commercial rabbit farmer can learn from rabbit breeding patterns in the wild.

The first thing you should understand about rabbits is that they need to be sexually and physically mature before they breed. In the wild, rabbits will not breed until they are about four to seven months old, depending on their species. Then there is the fact that rabbits are reflex ovulators. If a female rabbit does not mate, she will not ovulate. Rabbits will also naturally rest for about three months of the year, usually starting in late summer, before they recommence breeding. It is always wise, in a commercial setting, to ensure that your breeding stock, and particularly does, also have a regular rest between litters, as this will ensure that they do not burn out before their time.

Since you can control the climate to a degree, when you are running a commercial rabbitry, this rest period need not be during a particular season - you could stagger your breeding program to ensure that you always have new stock being born, while still resting your does for around three months of the year.

If you observe rabbits in the wild, you will notice that does are fiercely protective - particularly around males. Ensure that your does have nesting boxes in their cages too, and they will naturally pull out their own fur to line them, while at the same time exposing their nipples for the kits.

Rabbit breeding is certainly a lot less difficult than breeding many other commercial animals, yet there are tricks, like these, that will make your rabbit farming production endeavours a lot more successful.

Successfully Breeding Mini Lop Rabbit

If you want to successfully breed Mini Lop rabbit is you have to really run as a professional breeder. There are a number of reasons for this. Rabbits are very easy to breed. This would be a problem if you do not have a good market. Young rabbits grow very fast and are sexually active after eight weeks, so the process continues without interruption.

If you already have a good market then this is not an obstacle for you to breed rabbits mini loop systematically.

• Select rabbit who has a history of good breeding productivity and strong genes.
• Have a note to know the derivation of superior rabbits as parent.
• Choose a rabbit out of the same race.
• Accuracy in checking pregnancy 10-14 days after breeding.
  

This can be found by feeling the abdomen down the rabbit as it is a small marbles. You have to separate them in the nest box. The period of pregnancy is about 31 days. little rabbits born in still closed eye and surrounded by the parent rabbit fur. Usually about 4 -10 little rabbits.

Breeding Rabbits: Holland Lop Rabbits

What Your Need to Know About These Adorable Rabbits!

Holland Lop rabbits are a breed of rabbit whose origin is from the Netherlands. This breed of rabbit was recognised in 1964 by the Rabbit Council of Netherland and in 1979 by the Rabbit-Breeders' Association in America.

The Holland Lop rabbits are well known house pets and a popular for possessing a non-aggressive behaviour and a sweet temperament. They are juniors till they are 6 months old. From 7 months onwards, they are considered as seniors.

This breed came into existence when a rabbit breeder named Adriann de Cock from the Netherlands sought to breed the Netherlands Dwarf buck and the Fresh Lop doe. After several attempts of breeding and interbreeding of the litter, he came up with the Holland Lops. De Cock's Holland Lops were 2.4 or 3 kilograms in size. He then came up with the most desirable less than two kilograms of weight specimens and he presented them to the Rabbit Council of Netherlands. After this, the Holland Lop got recognition as a new rabbit breed.

The Holland Lop rabbits are well-liked and are popular among several breeders, pet owners and rabbit enthusiasts due to their inherent attractiveness and compact size. This is one of the smallest rabbit breed in the lop-eared category. Their muscular-appearing stocky body can be characterised by short-thick legs, deep chests and bread shoulders. They usually are white, black, broken black and tortoise-shell shade in colour. The Holland Lops comes under the dwarf category. The Holland Lops grow and live normally and can easily weigh up to 5 ½ lbs. The ears of a Holland Lop hang down 1 inch under their jawbone. They have their heads high on their shoulders.

It is essential for the owners of this breed to keep the weight of the rabbit in control. Take precautions so that the rabbit does not become too fat. Reproductive problems could arise id fat gets accumulated around the ovaries. Hence, keeping a Holland Lop's weight under control will ensure good health.

Though the Holland Lop rabbits are small in size, they are known to be quite playful and active. Hence, when kept as a pet it is advisable to cage them in a cage that is spacious. This rabbit breed is also a good choice for a first time rabbit owner. In certain cases, they ted to be a little hyper and skittish, so handle them a little carefully.

Breeding Rabbits: How to Care For the Dwarf Rabbit Breed

Dwarf Rabbits are one of the best and cutest animals that are being kept as pets. They are one of the smallest domestic breed rabbits and the origin of these rabbits is from Europe. After dogs and cats, dwarf rabbits are one of the most loved pets in England and America. These docile pets are adorable and cute. Kids love them, they look very sweet, and you can give it as a gift to your near and dear ones. Therefore, whenever you buy a dwarf rabbits be cautious to take good care of them. To ensure proper Dwarf rabbits care you need to find a suitable place where they can stay and breed.

Many people all around the world are keeping rabbits for three reasons and they are: interest, breeding, and butchering. These rabbits are also known as the Netherlands Dwarf Rabbits, as they were found in 1900 in the Netherlands. The normal weight of a dwarf rabbit is around 0.7-1.4 kg with thick fur and a round body. They look shiny and soft and have a large head with small ears. It is very easy to identify them without too much of problem as in comparison with other breeds of rabbit.

Dwarf Rabbits basically come in twenty four colors together with smoke pearl, chocolate, tortoiseshell, opal, chestnut, black, orange, etc. They are obedient and gentle creatures. These rabbits normally do not create too much of a problem. Proper care includes keeping these animals in a warm place in winter and a mild place during the summer season.

Give them proper diet foods like carrot, hay, green vegetables, and fresh fruit. You need to give them a proper diet if you want to keep them nice and healthy. Rabbits are hard-core eaters; they chew and eat anything that comes their way. With this, many times dwarf rabbits face digestive problems and other health disorders. It may be a good idea to provide digestive pills every week. This will control their gastrointestinal problems and other ill symptoms due to overeating.

You can see many people have kept these tiny lovely creatures for breeding purpose and they are getting good results. People are also keeping these animals for butchering because the meat of these animals is in high demand and are very tasty and people really love it.

Breeding Rabbits: 4 Critical Considerations Before You Begin to Breed Rabbits

When it comes to rabbit breeding, there are many things to consider and learn before you can really consider yourself somewhat knowledgeable about it. There are certain rules that you must not break such as breeding brothers to sisters should never be done. Other combinations, however, should be fine such as father to daughter, mother to son and so on. Of course, until you gain enough knowledge about how their genetics work, it is recommended that you don't breed closely related pairs. Also, you should only mate pairs of the same breed unless you are breeding them for their meat or as pets. This is because you will not be able to sell a rabbit that has mixed block and does not have a background that goes back 4 generations. Besides the ones mentioned above, there are more things to consider when it comes to rabbit breeding. Here are a few more:

- You should never keep more than one rabbit in each cage especially if the rabbit is 3 months or older. This is because rabbits actually mature faster when they are alone. They will not fight nor breed and this basically eliminates unexpected results.

- Before you begin rabbit breeding, do check the bottom of their cage for any signs of loose stools or diarrhea. If you find a rabbit with these conditions, do not breed it with another unless it's been properly treated. Also, do check for other signs of infections that might require medical treatment.

- Some people would leave the doe overnight with the buck whilst others put the doe in and remover her once they have mated. If you do this, it would be best to put the doe back in the buck's cage within 2- 12 hours after the initial breeding. Doing so would increase the likelihood of pregnancy and might even increase the number of offspring.

- Avoid breeding rabbits that have defects such as tooth malocclusion or moon eye because it is highly likely that they would pass the same genetic effects to their offspring thus eliminating them from being candidates for rabbit breeding purposes.

Lastly, rabbit breeding requires a lot of work and research. Of course, proper planning is a must because otherwise, your chances of failing would only increase. So, before you even begin your new hobby do consider learning more about it as well as the genetics of the rabbits. This would give you the knowledge you need and help you make better and wiser decisions.

Breeding Rabbits: Do's and Don'ts When You Breed Rabbits

When it comes to breeding rabbits, one should not only know about the proper care for them but also the genetics involved. There are certain rules to follow when it comes to properly breeding rabbits and in order to produce the best, you have to keep in line with them. Whilst some people might think of breeding rabbits as a simple task to accomplish, it is not always this way. First off, let's talk about the basics. A small breed doe or female rabbit is ready to mate by the time she reaches 5 months old. On the other hand, a buck or a male rabbit would be ready once he reaches 6 months old. Typically, it would be wise to breed rabbits whose ancestries have proof of good genetics and overall great productivity. For this reason, you would need the pedigree listings and various show winnings. In fact, as a breeder, you should keep your own records as well. As for the ratio, you can keep it at 1:10 if you wish. That is, 1 buck to 10 does. The buck would be able to breed up to 7 times a week effectively.

Now, let's talk about the do's and don'ts of breeding rabbits.

- Do mate rabbits of the same breed. The only exception to this rule would be breeding for the sake of meat or pets. Otherwise, you may not mate rabbits that aren't of the same breed. This is because you won't be able to sell a pedigree rabbit that has mixed blood and can't trace its background for up to 4 generations.

- Don't keep more than one rabbit in a single cage. This is imperative once the rabbit reaches 3 months or older. The reason for this is the fact that rabbits actually mature faster when they are kept in solitude.

- If you feel like you are ready to start breeding rabbits, bring the doe to the buck's cage. Don't do it the other way around because the buck would be to busy sniffing around the doe's cage to even pay attention to mating.

- There are people who live the doe in the buck's cage overnight whilst there are those who take the doe out once the 2 rabbits have mated. If you choose to go with the latter, you need to put the doe back in after a couple or more hours as this would actually increase the likelihood of pregnancy and might even increase the number of offspring.

Quite obviously breeding rabbits isn't as easy as it seems. However, with enough effort and research, you would be able to do it correctly. After all, breeding rabbits is a science and is something that everyone can learn given enough time to do it.