How to: Breed Rabbits | Step-by-Step Tutorial

Question

What do I do if the doe won't let the buck breed?

Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. In addition, Dr. Elliott is a freelance veterinary copywriter specializing in taking dense topics and making them easy to digest. Her clients include The Webinar Vet, PetPlan US, TIME, and other top-ranked blogs. She also works with Improve International as a developmental editor for veterinary textbooks. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

This is unusual, since rabbits are induced ovulators and their whole physiology is geared towards getting pregnant. One explanation could be the female is a pet and therefore is so used to people that she doesn't think she's a rabbit. Therefore she might rebuff the male's attention. Try stepping back and making less of a fuss of her, while keeping the male in a cage where she can smell and see him.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

Yes No

Not Helpful 30 Helpful 108

Question

Do female rabbits mount male rabbits?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian

Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. In addition, Dr. Elliott is a freelance veterinary copywriter specializing in taking dense topics and making them easy to digest. Her clients include The Webinar Vet, PetPlan US, TIME, and other top-ranked blogs. She also works with Improve International as a developmental editor for veterinary textbooks. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Yes, sometimes they do as a form of dominance behavior to show who's in charge, rather than mating.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

Yes No

Not Helpful 21 Helpful 106

Question

Can you breed siblings?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian

Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. In addition, Dr. Elliott is a freelance veterinary copywriter specializing in taking dense topics and making them easy to digest. Her clients include The Webinar Vet, PetPlan US, TIME, and other top-ranked blogs. She also works with Improve International as a developmental editor for veterinary textbooks. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

While siblings can and do breed together, this is extremely unwise. The resulting kits are more likely to have birth defects or undesirable health problems because their parents have so much genetic material in common.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

Yes No

Not Helpful 25 Helpful 117

Question

When should you take the buck out of the hutch after the buck and doe have mated?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian

Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. In addition, Dr. Elliott is a freelance veterinary copywriter specializing in taking dense topics and making them easy to digest. Her clients include The Webinar Vet, PetPlan US, TIME, and other top-ranked blogs. She also works with Improve International as a developmental editor for veterinary textbooks. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

It's best to put the doe in with the buck, rather than the other way round, because she may get territorial. Leave the pair together for about half an hour, and then take her out and return her to her regular accommodation.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow

Yes No

Not Helpful 23 Helpful 91