| Breeding Supplies |
| Here is a list of items you will need to aid in the breeding of rabbits and what they are used for. |
| -Nest Box -Timothy Hay + Other Feed -Nesting Materials (Hay, Shavings) -Grooming Supplies -Vanilla Extract -Dim Flashlight -Quiet Area Nest Box: This is where the mother will make a nest to kindle and raise her young in. It can be purchased from rabbit cage suppliers. Buy according to size of the mother. One too big or too small will cause problems. Timothy Hay and other Feed: I've heard timothy hay is important after the breeding to increase the chances of pregnancy (helps so the sperm isn't flushed right through her system) and is also very good for the babies. Normal ammounts of feed need to be provided along with constant fresh water. Nesting Materials: These include shavings and straw (or a grass hay of some kind). Make sure the straw/hay is not moldy, this can cause many problems that can be avoided by simply getting fresh straw. Grooming Supplies: A baby Jersey's coat is the hardest to care for, Woolies will get tons of matts when they are little and you need to keep them comfortable by grooming them well. Vanilla Extract: If you are going to foster any bunnies for any reason I've heard the best solution is to cover the foster mother's nose with a dab of vanilla extract. This way she can't tell that you gave her bunnies from a different batch and by the time the vanilla has worn off the new babies will smell just like the rest of her litter. (This method doesn't always work in cases when the doe is a "counter". This is when you certainly can't fool her, she knows her babies from strangers!) Dim Flashlight: Rabbits are animals that are most active at night. Because of this it's most common for a doe to kindle during dark hours. Yes, you will have to make hourly checks on her, even if it's 4:00 in the morning. In order for you to see what's going on you'll need a flashlight, but one too bright will startle her, so take your time and try to find a dim flashlight instead of a bright one if at all possible to make it easier on the new mommy. Quiet Area: Most does will be stressed out by out-of-the-ordinary sounds, and this stress can cause them to have complications during delivery. Also, any sudden loud noises can cause the doe to jump into her nest to protect her new-borns and can fataly injure them without meaning to do so. This is a very rare occurance, but should be avoided all the same. |