Breeding
Before thinking about breeding from your pet rabbits, please consider carefully if you will be able to find good homes for the babies. There are too many unwanted bunnies in rescue centers all over the country already. Also, if your rabbits have any dental problems, especially needing their front teeth trimmed regularly, these are likely to be passed on to their offspring - so think twice about letting them breed.
Females mature around 5-6 months, males at around 5-8 months. Females don't have seasons as such, but have spells of around 12-14 days where they will accept the male. These spells can become almost continuous in the breeding season between January to September.
Pregnancy lasts 30-32 days, females will nest and pull fur out of their bellies to expose the nipples. They usually have from 4 to 12 "kittens" which are born hairless. If more than an hour passes between kittens being born and the doe is straining she may need a ceserean and it is best to get her checked by a vet. This is more likely if the kittens are very big, if the doe is run down or overweight.
It is really important to realize that rabbit milk is very nutritious and baby rabbits only need to suckle for a few minutes once or twice a day. THIS IS NORMAL. Unless a vet has checked the mother and found an overwhelming reason why she cannot produce milk hand rearing baby rabbits should not be necessary. Handling of the kittens can lead to mismothering so avoid this, especially in the first week. However as they get older it is important to handle them so they get socialized early. Kittens emerge from the nest at 3 weeks and will start nibbling on the mother's food. This is when mum starts to wean them , by six weeks they are weaned and can be removed from mum. Its best to take the mum to a new cage leaving the babys in there origanal one. Give them at least another two weeks before you rehome them. Its best when they go to give the new owners some of the food they were eating with you to be mixed with what there going to get at there new home. Best if they can be kept on the same thing though.
When they are rehomed make sure you give the new owners a bag of the food theve been raised on. Advise they stick to the one youve used at least untill the baby is older. A change of diet at this age can lead to tummy upsets and even death. If your intending to keep one of the babys then perhaps one of the does then they can live together, and of course get both spayed.
