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Author Topic: Raising Meat Rabbits  (Read 21209 times)

Offline BeeMaster2

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Re: Raising Meat Rabbits
« Reply #40 on: March 16, 2020, 08:34:16 pm »
Unless you know the does cycle, you can miss it with just one day of mating.
Jim Altmiller
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Offline Seeb

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Re: Raising Meat Rabbits
« Reply #41 on: March 16, 2020, 09:24:47 pm »
I've always followed the does cycle and then mated for 2 or 3 falls, because I'd read you shouldn't leave them together without supervision as one might kill the other, but obviously that has not been an issue for Jim. Good luck Member - hope you have kits soon

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Re: Raising Meat Rabbits
« Reply #42 on: March 17, 2020, 11:02:36 am »
Unless you know the does cycle, you can miss it with just one day of mating.
Jim Altmiller
I've always followed the does cycle and then mated for 2 or 3 falls, because I'd read you shouldn't leave them together without supervision as one might kill the other, but obviously that has not been an issue for Jim. Good luck Member - hope you have kits soon
I haven't heard anything about tracking the does' cycles.  How do you know if they are in heat?           
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Offline lastfling

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Re: Raising Meat Rabbits
« Reply #43 on: March 17, 2020, 12:00:34 pm »
You check the does vulva.  Reddish purple to dark pink is an indication of readiness.  Light to whitish pink is not.  May not be spot on but is a guide.


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Offline Seeb

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Re: Raising Meat Rabbits
« Reply #44 on: March 17, 2020, 04:43:04 pm »
You check the does vulva.  Reddish purple to dark pink is an indication of readiness.  Light to whitish pink is not.  May not be spot on but is a guide.


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In addition, check the moisture of the vulva. It is usually dry when the color is whitish pink, but when she's ready there should be moisture along with the darker color

Online The15thMember

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Re: Raising Meat Rabbits
« Reply #45 on: March 17, 2020, 05:12:49 pm »
You check the does vulva.  Reddish purple to dark pink is an indication of readiness.  Light to whitish pink is not.  May not be spot on but is a guide.
In addition, check the moisture of the vulva. It is usually dry when the color is whitish pink, but when she's ready there should be moisture along with the darker color
Thanks, good to know.  Our doe seemed to act receptive toward the buck.  Do you think that is an indicator as well, or will she act interested in him regardless? 
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Offline Seeb

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Re: Raising Meat Rabbits
« Reply #46 on: March 19, 2020, 08:24:32 am »
Our doe seemed to act receptive toward the buck.  Do you think that is an indicator as well

I do

Online The15thMember

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Re: Raising Meat Rabbits
« Reply #47 on: April 08, 2020, 07:11:12 pm »
One of our does is acting pregnant!  This morning my sister went back to see them, and our one female was holding a bunch of her hay in her mouth, which we learned is a sign she's thinking about making a nest.  So we put a nest box and some more hay in for her, and she's been working on her nest all day.  The only problem is, she's been making a nest outside the box.  We moved the box opening to the spot that she's put the nest, so hopefully that will entice her to build it in the box instead.  We are so excited.  We could have baby bunnies for Easter!     
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Offline Seeb

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Re: Raising Meat Rabbits
« Reply #48 on: April 08, 2020, 07:23:37 pm »
Yay!

Online The15thMember

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Re: Raising Meat Rabbits
« Reply #49 on: April 09, 2020, 12:15:08 pm »
This morning my dad noticed that our rabbit is now building her nest in the box, and she's started pulling her fur out to line the nest! 

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Offline Ben Framed

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Re: Raising Meat Rabbits
« Reply #50 on: April 09, 2020, 02:29:19 pm »
Won't be long now!
2 Chronicles 7:14
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

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Re: Raising Meat Rabbits
« Reply #51 on: April 09, 2020, 08:35:40 pm »
It's going to be around 30 degrees Fahrenheit tonight and tomorrow night.  Should we be concerned about her possibly having the kits on one of these cold nights? 
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Offline Seeb

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Re: Raising Meat Rabbits
« Reply #52 on: April 10, 2020, 10:48:15 am »
I would not be concerned, mama will keep them warm

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Re: Raising Meat Rabbits
« Reply #53 on: April 10, 2020, 11:50:47 am »
I would not be concerned, mama will keep them warm
Good.  We figured it wasn't much of a problem, but just wanted to be sure.  From what I've heard, rabbits generally have more problems with heat than cold.   
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Offline Seeb

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Re: Raising Meat Rabbits
« Reply #54 on: April 13, 2020, 07:59:50 pm »
Any news on the rabbit front?

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Re: Raising Meat Rabbits
« Reply #55 on: April 13, 2020, 08:16:45 pm »
Any news on the rabbit front?
Just patiently waiting.  Our female has been working on her nest more, and seems to have built a good nest now.  We keep checking, but no babies yet. 
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Offline Seeb

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Re: Raising Meat Rabbits
« Reply #56 on: April 13, 2020, 08:24:09 pm »
Just patiently waiting . . .

you could take bets on how many kits will be born, like if I'm right, you've got to do this chore for me, etc. That would really enhance your anticipation.

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Re: Raising Meat Rabbits
« Reply #57 on: April 13, 2020, 09:18:35 pm »
Just patiently waiting . . .

you could take bets on how many kits will be born, like if I'm right, you've got to do this chore for me, etc. That would really enhance your anticipation.
That would make it interesting.  We have taken guesses, but no stakes.  We aren't a very competitive bunch, well, except my one sister, who is insanely competitive, but you really need 2 to make a competition.  And she's so ultra competitive that she actually doesn't enjoy competition, because it'll just make her mad. 
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Offline Seeb

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Re: Raising Meat Rabbits
« Reply #58 on: April 14, 2020, 08:46:38 am »
Well there's always that . . .

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Re: Raising Meat Rabbits
« Reply #59 on: April 14, 2020, 02:34:55 pm »
We have babies!!  We are all outside cleaning the garage out today, so we've been checking periodically, and at about 11:45 my sister noticed a little bit of blood on the mama's feet, so she checked the nest box and there was movement under the fur!  :grin: 
I come from under the hill, and under the hills and over the hills my paths led.  And through the air, I am she that walks unseen.