I think you are right on track with the lighting idea for your rabbits. At our first homestead, we had loads of natural light. Never had any trouble with breeding. The next place had barely any natural light (log barn) and we had quite a bit of breeding trouble unless we had good lights going. I used fairly bright lights all day and had a string of LED rope lights on at night just so I could see when I went in there in the morning or late evening. We would turn on the brighter lights when we went in to milk the cow in the morning and turn them off after evening feeding...so roughly 12 hours of light. I've done the ACV also, but really intermittently. I know it does help though.
Back in the late 70’s early 80’s I had a pair of rabbits and each time they bred the buck would stand up and scream then plop over. Their names were Bow and Inkiny.
I got a 1female and1 male 2 years ago with the intentions to breed but didn’t get other cages ready for little ones. But retired now and want to raise them. I know I may have to get younger ones but will. Love watching all that you do. Reminds me of myself.
Rabbits; Check how much feed they should be getting according to their weight (I've forgotten now....) and put them on a bit of a diet if needed. Check their vulva daily; does don't have regular heat cycles but there are times when they are more receptive than others and during those times their vulvas will be a bit swollen and even pinky/purpley colored. If their vulvas look really small and pale they usually won't breed. I used to take does to the buck very early in the morning and again in the evening. (I was milking at 6 & 6, so right after milking). If she wasn't interested or tried to fight the buck I'd wait a couple days then try again. And old culls make great sausage mixed 50-50 with fatty pork. I used to grow and use Pineapple Sage and used that in the rabbit sausage, it was really nice
All the does that we have culled due to not taking for breeding (we typically give them a full year), have been easy keepers (stay fat on the same amount of food as their peers) and had lots of internal fat when culled. I need to be more struck about feeding per weight and condition.
You’re not the only one having trouble with breeding this year it seems. I’ve seen a lot of people on different rabbit boards on social media talking about having smaller litters and does no being receptive. 2 of my Rex does this year were a major challenge and I only got one successfully breed.
Have you tried using Florescent shop lights..Its a White Light and Works For Chickens to extend Daylight 12 to 14 hrs...Make sure Its Lit up like a Brite Sunny day..🌞
Breeding rabbits in the shortest daytime of the year goes against their internal clock, so plenty just don't want to. Try againt from mid january onward, my end jan/mid feb breedings show does with most "yes more" attittude when in with the buck (and blissed out after). Days getting longer wakes things up. Check vulva for where in their cycle they are, pale is no use to try, pink to purple should be fertile. Also check if everything is clean and healthy looking down there and the buck also. Doing health checks (and maybe clipping nails) before breeding also gives you regular moments to verify the health of your rabbitry. Weight can be an issue, put them on hay only for 1-2 months. And possibly flush them 2-3 days before going in with the buck. You may want to put them on hay only (maybe very limited pellet for minerals/vitamins) preventatively during a scheduled break from breeding. Here (NL/EU) the pellet is a supplement feed, mainstay is hay and such. Repeat breeding is a story that is a maybe, rabbits are induced ovulators although there are not always eggs ripe enough when bred (that is why you check the vulva), so one falloff can get you a full litter just as well as repeats can. Advice varies from repeat after 30min./1 hour after first fall off to 12 hours later to leave them in 12hours to 1-2 days. Also depends on if they get along well enough and what works for your schedule.
With B-Doe and C-Doe not lifting and possibly aging out of the breeding program anyway, I kind of feel like it might be better to just name the replacement bunny does instead. I do think increasing their light is a good idea to help them along with being in the mood to lift for the bucks, but I would also possibly be looking at one or two replacement young bunny does (besides Bao Bun) just in case they have adequate time to adjust for breeding and don't perform. The only other thing I could suggest is maybe moving the does to the end that gets more natural light, too (and placing the bred does in the darker area) to see if that makes a difference.
C Doe was retained in 2023 so she isn't old enough to really replace yet. I made the timer go from 3am to 7pm so they will have a good amount of light in there now
Always love seeing rabbit content, am hopeful to have some on my future homestead someday. Your barn expansion is going to be so nice! Will you have like an outdoor sink and some electricity in your milking room? I could imagine it would make cleanup for the milk machine so nice and maybe not even have to cart it back and forth? Not sure if there's another faucet nearby or if you'd have to run a hose with a splitter? I know BDoe and CDoe may not be with y'all for super long depending on how well they breed, but these are the silly names that popped into my head when you asked for name suggestions: Bedelia, Cecilia Similar in sound to their current names and a bit rhymey I guess. haha We need more pretty bunny pompoms for sure haha. Imagine some spotted pompoms! 💚🐇🐰💚
Haha that's cute too! I thought about having a sink out there, but the barn is VERY dusty with the goats moving around all the time so the milking stuff will still be stored in the overflow shed. The electricity is on the other side of the wall and needs to move over but thankfully it's there already!
The rabbit breeding season has been crazy here too! Not just for me, but also my mentor. We are blaming the crazy weather & temp swings. The poor rabbits don’t know what’s going on. We finally did get a couple litters. On a sad note: One of our does (who had kits place at last years fair) had one large still born kit and then died. Necropsy showed that her uterus ruptured. On a positive note: I bred my black doe back to her solid black son and we got 4 blacks, 3 white, and possibly 2 blue. In-line breeding can answer a lot of questions about genetics (which I am still really trying to wrap my head around).
Very neat!! I think sausage is related to our house bunny somehow (the kids know) and wondered what they would produce. Breeding is really fun! So sorry about your doe that died, that's crazy! We have had big singles that passed but so far thankfully no mamas that passed due to kindling complications. That is so hard!
18:13 have you tried the rubber band methid to help the doe lift? Thr Mrs tried it ladt year with a stubbron doe and it worked. I think it's too much work and she will be on the chopling block. We rotate our bucks every 5 yrs and does every 3 yrs.
Bunny names, Beatrice and Constance. I think would be wonderful. My mom used to raise rabbits which meant I fed and watered 126 rabbits every morning before school.
@ we had a mini farm, but both of my parents grew up and farm families we were taught where our food came from and responsibility at a young age. I think you can balance those lessons and still let your children play and be children. My parents did it well you learned that the quicker you got your work done the more time you had to play.
In my research rabbits age is not much factor but number of litters is. Each doe should have about 12 litters then decline, 2 year old or 6 years old no different. I struggle with chubby bunny's too lol.
Check vents for darker color (dark pink to purple), this displays hormones when doe is most receptive. Rabbits cycle is up to 4 days not ready to ovulate out of about each 21 days. If color is good and still not receptive then table breed or elastic band method. 10 minute car ride is said to help and I bet just pulled around in the cart for 10 mins get same results. Hope they cooperate for ya soon.
Well that was fast! They sure don’t waste any time! 😂 Better tell the kitty to be careful!😂 Extension looking nice! Can I borrow Levi? I need an extension!❤ Jumpers babies are so cute! Rosette sure is pretty.
Haha it's so funny he has so many comments on various videos about borrowing him for tasks. If he could be split into 20 pieces he would love to help! ♥
I like to crochet while watching my favorite UA-cam homesteading channels, so....I am doing that while watching your video and I look up and have to pause the video to make sure I am seeing what I think I'm seeing....at this moment, I am using the same supersaver yarn in the same buff fleck color that I see next to you on the table lol I am easily amused by the small things LOL But seriously how ironic?!
Oh my, I almost forgot!! The same rabbit breeder who suggested putting a tiny bit of Clorox (ONLY Clorox as it's the most clean & pure bleach) in the water, also suggested taking a doe who's not interested in breeding for a car ride. Don't laugh (I certainly did the 1st time she told us!) She was completely serious! For whatever reason, it does work!!
@tankiescraftingmom4381 If the bunnies are eating pellets & no longer nursing at all they can be weaned. Especially if the litter is left together & mom is taken out of the pen. Usually I leave them together longer, 8-10 weeks minimum.
Is there a reason why you would not leave them together and then about a week before you think she’s due put her back in her own area? The buck always knows! Maybe they would like to be wined and dined. Lol
Your breeding rabbits look like they're in very good health, could they be carrying too much weight to breed well? When my does go through a spell where they don't want too breed, I increase the protein content of their feed. I use Kent rabbit pellets. There are 3 types ranging from 16% to 18%. Sometimes changing from 16 to 17 is enough, but occasionally it takes going to the 18% for a bit to get them breeding well & getting larger litters. Also years ago when my daughter was in 4-H a rabbit breeder suggested putting a couple drops of Clorox bleach in the rabbit water after she learned we use well water. At that time it helped significantly. I'm disappointed the ACV didn't help, that's another of my "go to"s! Though the past few years, upping the protein has made the most improvement. God bless!
I haven't tried the ACV this year but in past years it didn't do anything. They are on a 15% Pellet by kalmbach. I used to be able to get an 18% locally but not anymore!
What breed are your bunnies besides the Californian? I am raising Holland Lops at the moment but I have thought about mixing breeds to see what I can get. Like rexes and chinchillas. One of my does was not receptive this season. I will have to look into her feed and lighting. My other doe has been the best momma but she does not like the breeding process. This season her babies seem to have dirty butts why do you think that could be??❤❤ Babette(Babs for short) and I was thinking Claudette but idk how you would shorten that.😂 Maybe Charlotte! Bao Bun is the cutest name and bunny. When I get into meat rabbits, I want to do Californians bc of you, so thank you. ❤❤ wow, that was a long rant, sorry.
our "pretty bunnies" are a mix of several breeds. Two of our bucks have rex fur and Rosette is a Harlequin coloring. Our buck Abraham looks a like Silver fox but I think he is mixed as well.
I had a problem for a while and I added fennel to ACV to put in their water. It seemed to work. Sometimes I give them chamomile to relax them.
Levi certainly knows what he is doing! Good job!
Thank you so much!
Ive had a virgin doe that did not want to lift, so I've helped her by putting my hand under her and lifting. She's now 2 and my best momma.
I considered that, haven't done it yet! Thank you ♥
I think you are right on track with the lighting idea for your rabbits. At our first homestead, we had loads of natural light. Never had any trouble with breeding. The next place had barely any natural light (log barn) and we had quite a bit of breeding trouble unless we had good lights going. I used fairly bright lights all day and had a string of LED rope lights on at night just so I could see when I went in there in the morning or late evening. We would turn on the brighter lights when we went in to milk the cow in the morning and turn them off after evening feeding...so roughly 12 hours of light.
I've done the ACV also, but really intermittently. I know it does help though.
Thank you for that confirmation!
We have some artificial light to extend the day as well and it does seem to help.
Back in the late 70’s early 80’s I had a pair of rabbits and each time they bred the buck would stand up and scream then plop over. Their names were Bow and Inkiny.
I love those names!!
My Californian is a screamer. lol.
I got a 1female and1 male 2 years ago with the intentions to breed but didn’t get other cages ready for little ones. But retired now and want to raise them. I know I may have to get younger ones but will. Love watching all that you do. Reminds me of myself.
You can certainly try with the older rabbits! They may surprise you!
@ thanks I’ll give it a try.
Bunny names. Bumble and citrus
Rabbits; Check how much feed they should be getting according to their weight (I've forgotten now....) and put them on a bit of a diet if needed. Check their vulva daily; does don't have regular heat cycles but there are times when they are more receptive than others and during those times their vulvas will be a bit swollen and even pinky/purpley colored. If their vulvas look really small and pale they usually won't breed. I used to take does to the buck very early in the morning and again in the evening. (I was milking at 6 & 6, so right after milking). If she wasn't interested or tried to fight the buck I'd wait a couple days then try again. And old culls make great sausage mixed 50-50 with fatty pork. I used to grow and use Pineapple Sage and used that in the rabbit sausage, it was really nice
Thanks so much Mary!!
All the does that we have culled due to not taking for breeding (we typically give them a full year), have been easy keepers (stay fat on the same amount of food as their peers) and had lots of internal fat when culled. I need to be more struck about feeding per weight and condition.
Was fun thinking of some name suggestions. Babs and Celeste are all I keep coming up with. The addition is coming along nicely!
Babs is cute!!
I was thinking of names for you... Bonnie Bunny and Cotton Tail! Love how the barn addition is coming along! I could use a Levi here....lol!
You’re not the only one having trouble with breeding this year it seems. I’ve seen a lot of people on different rabbit boards on social media talking about having smaller litters and does no being receptive. 2 of my Rex does this year were a major challenge and I only got one successfully breed.
I wonder if there's been a change to feed ingredients like what's happened to a lot of processed human foods.
@ that’s a possibility I hadn’t considered. Definitely worth looking into.
Same here (southern Ohio)!
Have you tried using Florescent shop lights..Its a White Light and Works For Chickens to extend Daylight 12 to 14 hrs...Make sure Its Lit up like a Brite Sunny day..🌞
What we have in there is an LED floodlight. I'll show it in a couple days! ♥
Breeding rabbits in the shortest daytime of the year goes against their internal clock, so plenty just don't want to. Try againt from mid january onward, my end jan/mid feb breedings show does with most "yes more" attittude when in with the buck (and blissed out after). Days getting longer wakes things up.
Check vulva for where in their cycle they are, pale is no use to try, pink to purple should be fertile. Also check if everything is clean and healthy looking down there and the buck also. Doing health checks (and maybe clipping nails) before breeding also gives you regular moments to verify the health of your rabbitry.
Weight can be an issue, put them on hay only for 1-2 months. And possibly flush them 2-3 days before going in with the buck. You may want to put them on hay only (maybe very limited pellet for minerals/vitamins) preventatively during a scheduled break from breeding. Here (NL/EU) the pellet is a supplement feed, mainstay is hay and such.
Repeat breeding is a story that is a maybe, rabbits are induced ovulators although there are not always eggs ripe enough when bred (that is why you check the vulva), so one falloff can get you a full litter just as well as repeats can. Advice varies from repeat after 30min./1 hour after first fall off to 12 hours later to leave them in 12hours to 1-2 days. Also depends on if they get along well enough and what works for your schedule.
Thank you SO much for all of your advice!!
Loving these daily vlogs. I watch while having my morning coffee. ❤
Thanks for watching! I appreciate you!
Blackberry and Cowslip? (Watership Down) 😉
Ohhhh I read that quite a few years ago and loved that book!
@SageandStoneHomestead I still have the copy my mom bought for me back in middle school. 😂
Bring them in and warm them up in front of a window. Leave the light on for a bit in the evening. We always gave them a papaya tabs.
It's not cold out . Today it's 62 :)
Yes, lighting has alot to do with it also feed and the amount of feed, more hay. Such cute bunnies
With B-Doe and C-Doe not lifting and possibly aging out of the breeding program anyway, I kind of feel like it might be better to just name the replacement bunny does instead. I do think increasing their light is a good idea to help them along with being in the mood to lift for the bucks, but I would also possibly be looking at one or two replacement young bunny does (besides Bao Bun) just in case they have adequate time to adjust for breeding and don't perform. The only other thing I could suggest is maybe moving the does to the end that gets more natural light, too (and placing the bred does in the darker area) to see if that makes a difference.
C Doe was retained in 2023 so she isn't old enough to really replace yet. I made the timer go from 3am to 7pm so they will have a good amount of light in there now
Little bit of soft music and spiking the water feeder? Maybe some lipstick.
LOL!!
😂
😂
Always love seeing rabbit content, am hopeful to have some on my future homestead someday. Your barn expansion is going to be so nice! Will you have like an outdoor sink and some electricity in your milking room? I could imagine it would make cleanup for the milk machine so nice and maybe not even have to cart it back and forth? Not sure if there's another faucet nearby or if you'd have to run a hose with a splitter? I know BDoe and CDoe may not be with y'all for super long depending on how well they breed, but these are the silly names that popped into my head when you asked for name suggestions: Bedelia, Cecilia Similar in sound to their current names and a bit rhymey I guess. haha We need more pretty bunny pompoms for sure haha. Imagine some spotted pompoms! 💚🐇🐰💚
Haha that's cute too! I thought about having a sink out there, but the barn is VERY dusty with the goats moving around all the time so the milking stuff will still be stored in the overflow shed. The electricity is on the other side of the wall and needs to move over but thankfully it's there already!
Oooo.. spotted pompoms sounds gorgeous!!
Bao Bun is getting big. 🥰
She sure is! Feisty thing!
Bunnicula is a great bunny name for b-doe. Great kids books as well.
The rabbit breeding season has been crazy here too! Not just for me, but also my mentor. We are blaming the crazy weather & temp swings. The poor rabbits don’t know what’s going on. We finally did get a couple litters.
On a sad note: One of our does (who had kits place at last years fair) had one large still born kit and then died. Necropsy showed that her uterus ruptured.
On a positive note: I bred my black doe back to her solid black son and we got 4 blacks, 3 white, and possibly 2 blue.
In-line breeding can answer a lot of questions about genetics (which I am still really trying to wrap my head around).
Very neat!! I think sausage is related to our house bunny somehow (the kids know) and wondered what they would produce. Breeding is really fun! So sorry about your doe that died, that's crazy! We have had big singles that passed but so far thankfully no mamas that passed due to kindling complications. That is so hard!
Name suggestions: Babette (you seem to like names ending in "ette" and for the C: Callie or Cassie. Good luck with the breeding.
I know nothing about taking care of rabbits but I sure know they are cute!
Indeed!! ♥♥
18:13 have you tried the rubber band methid to help the doe lift? Thr Mrs tried it ladt year with a stubbron doe and it worked. I think it's too much work and she will be on the chopling block. We rotate our bucks every 5 yrs and does every 3 yrs.
I have never heard of that! Off to look it up!!
The black bunnies are absolutely gorgeous. 😊
Bunny names, Beatrice and Constance. I think would be wonderful. My mom used to raise rabbits which meant I fed and watered 126 rabbits every morning before school.
Wow that is a big responsibility! I love that!
@ we had a mini farm, but both of my parents grew up and farm families we were taught where our food came from and responsibility at a young age. I think you can balance those lessons and still let your children play and be children. My parents did it well you learned that the quicker you got your work done the more time you had to play.
@auntdayskitchen6315 I totally agree! What an awesome way to grow up!
Good morning! ☕️
Good morning!
In my research rabbits age is not much factor but number of litters is. Each doe should have about 12 litters then decline, 2 year old or 6 years old no different. I struggle with chubby bunny's too lol.
Ohhhh well that could be it. 12 litters is 3 years of breeding for us, two on a cooler spring or early fall year.
Check vents for darker color (dark pink to purple), this displays hormones when doe is most receptive. Rabbits cycle is up to 4 days not ready to ovulate out of about each 21 days. If color is good and still not receptive then table breed or elastic band method. 10 minute car ride is said to help and I bet just pulled around in the cart for 10 mins get same results. Hope they cooperate for ya soon.
Well that was fast! They sure don’t waste any time! 😂 Better tell the kitty to be careful!😂 Extension looking nice! Can I borrow Levi? I need an extension!❤ Jumpers babies are so cute! Rosette sure is pretty.
Haha it's so funny he has so many comments on various videos about borrowing him for tasks. If he could be split into 20 pieces he would love to help! ♥
@ I think you have a hot commodity there! You could rent him out and make some extra $$! 😂
@@BecomingaGreenstalker 🤣🤣🤣
Will you please name the C doe "Cameo"?
I like to crochet while watching my favorite UA-cam homesteading channels, so....I am doing that while watching your video and I look up and have to pause the video to make sure I am seeing what I think I'm seeing....at this moment, I am using the same supersaver yarn in the same buff fleck color that I see next to you on the table lol I am easily amused by the small things LOL But seriously how ironic?!
Oh my, I almost forgot!! The same rabbit breeder who suggested putting a tiny bit of Clorox (ONLY Clorox as it's the most clean & pure bleach) in the water, also suggested taking a doe who's not interested in breeding for a car ride. Don't laugh (I certainly did the 1st time she told us!) She was completely serious! For whatever reason, it does work!!
Oh how funny! Maybe I'll take one of them on my feed run today lol
Is six weeks too early to be separated from their mom if they stopped nursing
@tankiescraftingmom4381 If the bunnies are eating pellets & no longer nursing at all they can be weaned. Especially if the litter is left together & mom is taken out of the pen. Usually I leave them together longer, 8-10 weeks minimum.
Heather your hair is beautiful.
Thank you so much! ♥
Your light for the rabbitry, is it a full spectrum light?
I am not entirely sure! I went back to check in my amazon orders but I guess it was too far back. Possibly not? It's LED
Another great all around video..😊
I also found breeding them on table top or different cage does help
I get so scared a rabbit is going to launch off the table!
Bubbles, and candy
Will you be able to have more bunnies with the expansion or is it just for all of the other reasons you’ve already mentioned?
We don't really need more rabbits honestly! We have 7 does with Bao added and 5 bucks. We just need them to have babies :)
Is there a reason why you would not leave them together and then about a week before you think she’s due put her back in her own area? The buck always knows! Maybe they would like to be wined and dined. Lol
That something I've thought about! I know colony settings there is a natural breeding rhythm
I have made roomies with success.
Your breeding rabbits look like they're in very good health, could they be carrying too much weight to breed well? When my does go through a spell where they don't want too breed, I increase the protein content of their feed. I use Kent rabbit pellets. There are 3 types ranging from 16% to 18%. Sometimes changing from 16 to 17 is enough, but occasionally it takes going to the 18% for a bit to get them breeding well & getting larger litters. Also years ago when my daughter was in 4-H a rabbit breeder suggested putting a couple drops of Clorox bleach in the rabbit water after she learned we use well water. At that time it helped significantly. I'm disappointed the ACV didn't help, that's another of my "go to"s! Though the past few years, upping the protein has made the most improvement. God bless!
I haven't tried the ACV this year but in past years it didn't do anything. They are on a 15% Pellet by kalmbach. I used to be able to get an 18% locally but not anymore!
❤❤❤☕☃️☃️
What breed are your bunnies besides the Californian? I am raising Holland Lops at the moment but I have thought about mixing breeds to see what I can get. Like rexes and chinchillas. One of my does was not receptive this season. I will have to look into her feed and lighting. My other doe has been the best momma but she does not like the breeding process. This season her babies seem to have dirty butts why do you think that could be??❤❤ Babette(Babs for short) and I was thinking Claudette but idk how you would shorten that.😂 Maybe Charlotte! Bao Bun is the cutest name and bunny. When I get into meat rabbits, I want to do Californians bc of you, so thank you. ❤❤ wow, that was a long rant, sorry.
our "pretty bunnies" are a mix of several breeds. Two of our bucks have rex fur and Rosette is a Harlequin coloring. Our buck Abraham looks a like Silver fox but I think he is mixed as well.