how do i know if my rabbits are mating

", "Thanks for this article, this helps me understand my pet better. That makes it difficult to tell if your rabbit is ready or not because they're pretty much ready most of the time. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. However, the babies need to stay with mom for a minimum of 8 weeks because of their sensitive digestive system. Rabbits are wonderful animals that are bred for both companionship and for commercial purposes. Different Sized Breeds Begin Breeding at Different Ages in Their Lives. ", "Thanks for the helpful article about pregnant rabbits. Growling would be a normal reaction in that case. Plus, I learned different ways to interpret if a doe is pregnant. ", http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/surpriselitter.html, http://www.fao.org/docrep/t0690e/t0690e0a.htm, https://archive.org/stream/palpatingdomesti245suit/palpatingdomesti245suit_djvu.txt, http://www.merckvetmanual.com/pethealth/exotic_pets/rabbits/breeding_and_reproduction_of_rabbits.html, http://tricountyhumanesociety.org/pet-tips/critter-tips/63-rabbit-diet. This usually happens at the same time as the lighter coloring of the vagina. You may need to make sure there's a hole in this blanket of fur so the young rabbits can breathe. If you're wondering why it matters (because the mother stops feeding them milk) it's because they need to eat the mother's cecotropes. ", "This is a great article. According to the Merck Veterinary Manual, the sexual maturity of rabbits depends on the size of their breed. Yes, if she is scratching at the bottom of her cage and her stomach is larger than usual she is most definitely pregnant. If your doe is building a nest, there's a chance that she may be pregnant. Palpate your rabbit. Once the kits reach sexual maturity, the buck may try to mate with his female offspring. X This article was co-authored by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Look at its genitals, specifically the vaginal opening. If she really is pregnant, then make sure the babies have plenty of fur when they are born. Small rabbits, such as the Polish Dwarf, mature at three-and-a-half months to four months old. That's how you know if they like each other, they'll lick each other, sniff the other one's nose, etc. Last Updated: March 29, 2019 If your rabbit is nesting or being vicious around you, she could be pregnant. My Bashful girl had 8 kits a month ago and they are doing fine.

She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. Place the doe in an enclosure with the buck, and watch to see if the doe accepts the buck's advances. She is probably feeling very territorial after the presence of the male. 5, "This article helped me to know about the pregnancy of rabbits.

She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. Mating Your Rabbits. Your rabbits will, most likely, not try and bite each other or scratch, etc.

The buck will mount the doe and bite her on the back of the neck for … The prolific breeding patterns of rabbits stem from the doe's almost continuous receptiveness to an attractive buck. References If the vaginal orifice is a redder color, then the doe is receptive to mating. Pick up the doe with one hand on its scruff and the other hand holding up its bottom. A doe may build a nest, get labour pains, and end up not being pregnant at all. If you feel grape-sized swellings in the uterus, then the doe is probably pregnant. Rabbit owners should keep the male and females completely separated to prevent this from happening. Her stomach is larger and she has been scratching at the bottom of her cage. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Know-if-Your-Rabbit-is-Pregnant-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Know-if-Your-Rabbit-is-Pregnant-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/d9\/Know-if-Your-Rabbit-is-Pregnant-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid6962-v4-728px-Know-if-Your-Rabbit-is-Pregnant-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":"728","bigHeight":"546","licensing":"