Raising Meat Rabbits (Part One): Breeding | Tips, Tricks, How-To

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

How soon can you breed back a doe after she has her babies (kindles)? This is a debated topic but here we breed back 4 weeks after they kindle. I'll touch on this again and explain why in the next video in the series! Thanks so much for being here!!

[@hopehubbard7531]

Four to eight weeks is just fine I prefer to braid my do a week before I wean my kits and then rest her through the strictly due to weather conditions I say just do whatever works best as long as the rabbits are not suffering

[@hopehubbard7531]

Hello I'm replying to your response about my rabbit's it just won't let it go through on the other the neighbors dog tore into my rabbit hutch and I do not have any bucks and I don't know where to get one

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Where are you located? I'm so sorry about that!!

[@hopehubbard7531]

I'm located in North wilkesboro North Carolina

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

@@hopehubbard7531 try these sites! Find a Rabbit Breeder Near You (USA): rabbitbreeders.us/ ARBA Breeder Locator (USA) : arba.net/find-a-breeder-2/

[@GWPHomestead]

Nice job explaining line-breeding vs in-breeding. It’s also surprising to me that the weather has such a dramatic effect on fertility!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Isn't it interesting?! I would guess that wild rabbits in burrows would be less affected by the heat.

[@gbltheolechurch5acrehomestead]

Glad to return! The jury is still out on whether or not Mrs. Betty and I will raise Rabbits on The Ole Church 5 Acre Homestead. You do an amazing JOB!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Thank you for being here!! Maybe this series will help you decide weather or not rabbits are right for you!!

[@thomasreto2997]

Wife and I canned stop watching. Extremely useful and fascinating information Thank you

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Thanks so much!!

[@thomasreto2997]

@@SageandStoneHomestead we made up our minds after having had rabbit before

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

@@thomasreto2997 it's so delicious!

[@nolliesteers3083]

Good morning Heather. Good information. You have such great looking rabbits. They look so healthy and they are adorable

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Thank you!! We have been so happy with our little herd. ❤️🐇🐇❤️

[@stonesoupsubstitutions6946]

Great explanations! I'm excited to have a successful rabbit raising story again. I think within the next two years. I need to find some good Rex stock.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

That will be so exciting!!

[@gingerhawkinshills]

THANK YOU Heather!!!!!!! I NEEDED this!!!! We are going to be raising rabbits next and I have so much to learn! Your timing was PERFECT!!!!🥰

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I'm sp happy about that! It's such a fulfilling endeavor! ❤️🐇❤️

[@TheOldSwedesFarm]

Great video Heather! We're still gathering info on rabbits and trying to figure out where we'd put them. Thanks for all the great info! Cheers!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I would definitely suggest somewhere with dirt flooring, otherwise they can smell.

[@jessicapabon2105]

Heather thank you so much for your video on rabbits! I'm here in Texas and man if you were close by I would still buy some meat rabbits from you! It's pretty tricky finding them over here in my area. Right now I'm just buying the rabbit cages and Next Step will be the nesting boxes and the feeders so I have everything I need. Your rabbits are absolutely gorgeous. Thank you your information is wonderful thank you so much for your time that you put in to your videos you are greatly appreciated. Take care and God bless

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Thank you so much for watching!!♡ I'm so glad they are helpful. I wish quality breeding stock was easy to find !

[@georgeingridirwin6180]

Your rabbits really trust you so much! I don't think ours will ever let us hold them to check their teeth, at least not yet.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Some of them are way more feisty than others!!!

[@sueannchism1128]

I’m so glad your doing these videos. This is my first year trying meet rabbits. I have a New Zealand doe going in with a Flemish Giant. I’m a little nervous but excited to see how it goes. Thanks for the content!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Whohoo congrats and welcome to the rabbit-raising family!!

[@julieb2605]

You are a great teacher! Thank you for sharing all your knowledge!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Thank-you so much!!♡

[@prveteran]

Awesome video. You're a natural teacher! Keep up the great work. Excellent information!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Thank you so much!! ❤️❤️

[@alikagwa]

I've recently enrolled for a rabbit husbandry class, inspired by your show. Thank you.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

You're so welcome! That's awesome!!

[@lucy8025]

This was the best video I've watched on the subject. Thanks!!!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

You're so welcome!! That means a lot to hear! Thanks for watching!

[@floydlenz2280]

Thanks so much for doing this series.. We wanted and planned for 1 buck and 2 does , that was 25 rabbits ago, now we keep 5 different breeds and sell most of the rabbits we raise . LOL. We're in the south central Ozarks of Missouri.. We've been plagued with the heat and breeding troubles.. Thanks for the insights and tips..

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

The heat was so brutal this summer. We lost 2 rabbits one week and another toward the end of summer. Sounds like your rabbitry is doing good though!!

[@theresekirkpatrick3337]

I’m so glad i found your channel my husband is resistant and chickens do smell. Free garden fertilizer. Win win

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Bunnies are great for MANY things! We love raising rabbits!

[@JohnJones-op8uf]

Really appreciate you! Thank you for sharing with us!

[@georgeingridirwin6180]

Thank you Heather!! So much good information.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

You're so welcome!! Thanks for watching!!

[@jobiepatrick6150]

What do you think about putting a 10X12 piece of tile in their cage it is suppose to help them stay cool in summer then replace with a piece of wood for winter, it also lets them get off the wire, I saw a show about it …😂? Just a thought?

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Yes that's a great idea!

[@tiarranelson8252]

Can you please show how you get your rabbits used to being handled. Yours are very good. I have not been able to check any of my rabbits teeth.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Usually handability starts from handling them young. What we do it just allow our kids to play with the baby rabbits. Even still the rabbits don't like to be messed with with their feet and teeth and ears if they need meds in them. If scruffing doesn't work you may need to wrap the rabbit in a towel, but be careful!

[@michaeldomec5275]

Thank you just got my first doe, working on getting a buck if i get a litter successfully ill let you know!!!! Cheers from Texas ❤

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Congratulations!!

[@lisacarol1433]

This is a great video.. 👍

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Thank you!! ❤️🐇

[@tomarmstrong4638]

Hello, i noticed you touch the kitts, how do you make sure the doe doesn't abandon her litter after touching them

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

That’s a common myth, the does will not abandon them when handled by humans.

[@aubriemartin728]

Strang question but what do you do with the Dead babies? Do you bury them Or do you throw them away?

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Dead babies go to the pigs. We don't usually feed them dead things unless we know why the thing died, usually a dead baby in the nest box either was squashed by mom or had a developmental issue so it isn't diseased. Burying it works too though!

[@aubriemartin728]

​@@SageandStoneHomesteadalso when can the kids start eating pellets/ hay? And what brand of pellets do you get for them?

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

At 2 weeks I fill up mama's feeder all the way and let them all eat what they want until weaning. They will actually eat the nesting material before that which is why I put hay as nesting meterial.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I buy Kalmbach 15% protein pellets

[@AiVibeRadioShow]

Hi, thanks to your videos I learned a lot, and now we have four rabbits. I wanted to ask about our 5-month-old male California rabbit. We released him in a closed enclosure where he plays and is very active. However, when he tries to mate, the female often escapes from him, and he seems to be gasping for breath after several attempts. Have you encountered this phenomenon? Share Rewrite

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Hi I've never seen that, maybe give them a smaller area for breeding?

[@staceywishart9971]

What breeds are best to use for meat? Is there any that a no go? I have mini Rex already. I use mostly for fertilizer. Just wanted to check my options

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

It honestly depends on what you want most out of your rabbits. If you want fast meat for a little cost, a meat breed like a Californian or a New Zealand is your best bet. My sister in law loves plush fur and to her it's worth the extra time and feed to grow out Rex rabbits. Plus she is allergic to most rabbits and Rex are allergy friendly. I know show breeders who mainly breed Rex and Angora for show and they eat their culls. Rabbits dress out at about half their live weight. So a 5lb bunny is 2.5lbs of meat and bones. If it takes 20 weeks to get to 5lbs that may not be worth the feed cost to some. But let's say you have land and don't mind foraging for some of their food, it could be worth it. Generally it's all relative. I would suggest that people stay away from breeds like flemish giant if meat is the goal. (Flemish kits sell for a lot so kit sales may be the priority.) Flemish giants put their weight into bone and they get big fast, but definitely are bone-heavy.

[@staceywishart9971]

@@SageandStoneHomestead thank you! I appreciate your help and time!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Not a problem!!

[@moonpolysoft]

We got a buck and two does a couple months ago and have been having trouble with breeding. Prev owner had the buck and doe 1 together for a number of days. Her due date came and went. We put the buck in with doe 2 and he proceeded to go at it but we didn't get the fall off. Since then we've put them back together and the buck hasn't had interest. Theoretically doe 2's due date is later this week if it took. Not sure what to do if not.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Sometimes Bucks can lose interest if they are too fat, a diet may help. They can also get shy if the doe beats them up too much. Sometimes people sell off their culls, I wonder why the people you bought them from wanted to sell them. Possibly for not reliably breeding?

[@moonpolysoft]

@@SageandStoneHomestead Thanks for the reply. So over the weekend we were able to get the buck to do three fall-offs with the proven doe (number 2). We've been putting lights on them for 14hrs a day for the past few weeks and I think that's helped. The younger doe (number 1) however still won't breed, and the buck doesn't really pursue her when she's in with him. We'll keep trying with them, wondering if them cohabitating for a long period before we got them is part of the issue.

[@moonpolysoft]

Hey wanted to give you an update. So it looks like the proven doe slipped her pregnancy (we had to give her ivermectin a few days after breeding for ear mites) and had a phantom pregnancy with nesting behavior etc. We rebred her after she missed her due date and just yesterday we got a litter of 10 kits. We bred the reluctant doe to a new buck but she missed her due date. Rebred her after and we'll see at the end of this month. I think she may simply be barren, and will probably replace her if she doesn't kindle this time.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Congratulations on the awesome litter!!!! 10 is great!

[@cindyboard7816]

Very interesting information!!! You have beautiful rabbits and the kits are adorable even naked!!!😂 Can a female breed at any point when she isn't nursing or pregnant or do they have a noticeable "heat cycle"? Thanks for a great video!!! Stay safe!!!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

That's a great question! They actually don't have a heat cycle, ovulation is triggered by the act of breeding. They do have times when they are more receptive to breeding and usually when the female's genitals are darker hues of reddish or purple that's when she is most receptive.

[@cindyboard7816]

@@SageandStoneHomestead Wow interesting!!! Thanks!

[@hopehubbard7531]

I think I'm lucky because I breed New Zealand rabbits and my buck usually services 3 doe a day but recently I have dabbled with breeding pet rabbits and that buck only does one a day

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

How are your litter sizes?

[@hopehubbard7531]

@@SageandStoneHomestead it doesn't really matter now I suppose I walked out and all my rabbits have been ripped out of their cages only have a few babies left and they're all doe's I would like some advice if I should start a new rabbitry or just get a new buck rabbit, my rabbit's do not have a pedigree I go based solely on the word of the woman I purchased them from as well as their features are identical to that of a New Zealand

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

WOW that's horrible I'm SO sorry!! Do you have any idea what happened?! You can get a new buck if you'd like, but if breeding for just meat I'd breed father to daughters. I wouldn't sell them as breeding stock but you can eat it for sure. I'm incredibly sorry! I'm glad I saw this reply, I usually don't. If I stop responding to questions I likely haven't seen the comment or reply so you can always email me! [e-mail]

[@mcgoo721]

I cant not giggle at the fall off every time 💀

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I know it's so dramatic lol

[@XavierArte]

My veterinary and traditional breeder don't advise me meshed steel cage but wooden cage. I as well breed rabbit and used to have meshed steel cage and now going back to wood cage. What's your point of view?

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

As long as they have a place to get up off the wire and rest the wire cages have been working great for us for years!

[@poppylovestattooing-u8m]

Great video but I have a question being new to raising rabbits. I have 2 New Zealand bucks (1 large white & 1 smaller Black) and 3 does Florida/Rex mix. I tried breading my 3 does to my white buck but he is very aggressive when mating and the does fought back. So I tried with my black buck (who was gentle) and all 3 does were very receptive and have had babies. I guess my question is if there is any hope for my white buck? If so what can I do to try to fix things? Thanks🙏Poppy

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Some boys are too much and the girls can definitely have a preference!! If you have a girl that can put him in his place without hurting him, he might be able to be redeemed but otherwise the does will maybe not lift for him!

[@merryanneadair4451]

One of the best rabbit tutorials I've seen! Great job Heather, very informative. This past week I've bred 2 of my does. Looking forward to some kits. Couldn't get any does to settle this summer. Have you ever used a magnet to sex bunnies? Works well for me. God bless!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

NO that's interesting! Could you elaborate?!

[@merryanneadair4451]

@@SageandStoneHomestead absolutely! I laughed this off until an older gentleman Maaika & Dan know well, proved it to me! He has raised thousands of exotic birds most of his life & says in all his years of doing this he has only had "1 false positive" as he calls it. He taught me: All living things have a magnetic make up. A small magnet ( mine is 3/4" x1 3/4" out of a motor) tie a string around the middle so it hangs fairly balanced. Here's where it takes a little practice: hold the string with the magnet hanging over the animal ( bird, bush, tree.....) about 2" or so from the animal. Hold the string VERY STILL & wait. The magnet will slowly begin to move. If it spins or rotates in a circle it denotes female. If it begins to swing back & forth it denotes male. At times it takes several seconds to begin moving. Practice doing this until you find the length of string that works best for you. For me 8" or so of string between my hand & the magnet works best. Also practicing over things you know the gender of will help you recogonize the signs. Supposedly you can even sex eggs before hatching though I never have! It's very very fascinating & even after watching Johnny do it many times & doing it myself now for years, I'm still intrigued by it!! Have fun!!!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I have heard of that for trying to tell a baby's gender in the womb! Very fascinating.

[@merryanneadair4451]

@@SageandStoneHomestead that always make me wonder though....wouldn't you pick up on the mother instead of the baby?? Never tried it! For fun we should try on the goats & keep track of the readings, but there again, what if there are triplets in there??

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

All interesting thoughts!! No idea!

[@viavortex5380]

If you switch a doe and buck from cages then when you go to breed them again wouldn’t the doe become territorial? Since now she has been in both cages. Please help❤

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I'd say that's a possibility! I've never had to switch cages so I can't say from experience. I'd think that you'd still want to move her to him (after he's lived in her cage for a week or so) and by then his scent will be all over and she may feel homeless at that point.

[@christopherkeillor-vo7wg]

First time breeding buck first time breeding down is there such a thing as a gentle fall off what does always look like the rabbit had a seizure or do I just have a dumb buck

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

They are not all super dramatic!! They can fall off more gently and things work out great. Some bucks don't fall off, but most do.

[@christopherkeillor-vo7wg]

@Sage and Stone Homestead that's good that I won't have to butcher my buck. I'll give him a few more chances to make sure though. Thank you very much, and my buck thinks you haha.

[@Lorraine-cz7ji]

Anyone reading this and wanting to get max number of kits and less issues. The rule of thumb is that you need to wait until the doe has reach mature weight, it's all about the weight not the age. A New Zealand or a Californian doe should be between 9 lbs to 11 lbs (again depending on the breed). Rarely are you going to get large breeds at mature weight at 4 to 6 months. Sure, it can happen, but rarely. If you breed earlier than their mature weight, your not getting the most out of your rabbit.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

We breed at 4 months and regularly get litters of 10.

[@veritablyvermilion]

@@SageandStoneHomestead Same here, bred three does who were 5 and 5.5 months old and each had 9, 10, and 12 kits. The younger the Dam are the more kits they have in our experience.

[@Keyko5150Estrada]

Great video I learned alot thank you

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Thanks for watching!!

[@JesMarie_W3]

I had a doe have two uxpected babies on the wire because she unknowingly conceived with ZERO fall offs. I assumed since there were absolutely no fall offs that she wasn't pregnant. Boy was I wrong😞

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Wow!!

[@maddzj4117]

How old for male and female is to old. Please lmk😊

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Usually they'll make it known if they are done. You'll see small litter sizes and poor mothering, refusal to breed. Usually a doe is good for 4 years and a buck can be about 8 years old before he stops.

[@orlandoorozco2592]

I just buy, my california rabbit, how i know they purebred?

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

It's hard to know for sure unless they come with a pedigree

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

But a good meat rabbits gets to 5lbs within 8 to 10 weeks.

[@orlandoorozco2592]

Thank you. I just start watching your videos. Love it keep sharing please!

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Will do! ♥

[@kenjiro2676]

Genetic diversity is nice, even if they are just formeat, maintaining genetic vigor will go a long way.

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Yes in an ideal world where great stock is readily available genetic diversity is ideal!!

[@boogiekang619]

We breed rabbits too

[@blackwellmumbi3547]

Hi I've 2 female rabbit and 3 male. I got a problem female aren't getting pregnant

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

If it is hot where you are males can go temporarily sterile in the heat

[@delorislee3100]

I thought if you handle baby rabbits the mom will kill them

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Nope! We handle them daily their first week until we know they are strong and don't need help feeding. I'll go over this the next video!

[@delorislee3100]

@@SageandStoneHomestead my son had rabbits long time ago and someone had told them that

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I've heard it before too. I think it's one of those old wives tales!

[@buckreynolds7475]

It is genetics

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Okay!

[@buckreynolds7475]

If my rabbits don't have 8 or more I don't feed them

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I'm sure that doesn't help.

[@buckreynolds7475]

1 doe a day ain't right I have breed 2 day and have bred 3 a day

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

Whatever works for you!

[@buckreynolds7475]

Oh I raise more baby in mouth than most people dose in a year about a 100 a month

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

That's great!

[@rahimkhan5536]

Hi plz your watsap n I need some tip for keeping rabbit

[@SageandStoneHomestead]

I don’t have WhatsApp