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| Old Does | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Dec 21 2014, 05:00 PM (159 Views) | |
| HendricksHearth | Dec 21 2014, 05:00 PM Post #1 |
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Social Bunny
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I just thought this might be helpful to someone somewhere. The old adage is that does must be bred or they will lose their ability to produce kits due to internal fat, etc. I took a 2+ year break from rabbits, but kept my breeding stock as spoiled pets. In November I jumped back in and bred 4 old does ranging in age from almost 3 years to 5 years in age to old bucks (almost 3 to 5 years old, also). 2 of them had never been bred before and 2 of them were proven more than 2 years ago. Everyone is due tomorrow, but 2 have already kindled. 1 unproven doe had 6 kits (1 DOA, 5 doing well), 1 proven doe had 1 kit (chubster), 1 is nesting, and 1 is doing nothing to indicate she is preggos. The litters were sired by 2 different old bucks. While not exactly scientific, at least it shows it is possible to get litters later in life. So if anyone here is looking for their old line they sold or whatever and is worried about age, I say at least give it a try and see what happens. I didn't honestly expect to have any results after everything I had read and been told. You might be surprised (or super excited in my case) at the result. |
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Lauren @ Hendricks' Hearth http://www.hendrickshearth.weebly.com | |
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| NCK | Dec 21 2014, 11:24 PM Post #2 |
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Somebunny is a awfully chatty
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You must be super excited about these kits!! That certainly is encouraging. So far I've managed to move my senior does on when they were still young (like <2 yrs.) and have only bought one that was over 3 yrs. when I got her, but it's great to keep in mind! Congrats on the new additions
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| NeuBunny | Dec 22 2014, 09:29 AM Post #3 |
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Genetics Geek!
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haven't tried it past 18 months with one that had never been bred, but we often skip a year after the first litter and got later litters fine. |
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| HendricksHearth | Dec 22 2014, 10:14 AM Post #4 |
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Social Bunny
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Thanks! I'm also glad to see I'm not the only one having luck after giving does a long break. The doe that I thought had 1 kit had another in the nestbox last night, so that's 7 babies so far. Yay! |
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Lauren @ Hendricks' Hearth http://www.hendrickshearth.weebly.com | |
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| sidd-says-gimme | Dec 22 2014, 07:00 PM Post #5 |
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sidd says stay gold
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Yay, awesome news! That must be so exciting (and relieving!). Of course, pictures are more than welcome, hehe.
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| sidd-says-gimme | Dec 22 2014, 07:00 PM Post #6 |
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sidd says stay gold
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Yay, awesome news! That must be so exciting (and relieving!). Of course, pictures are more than welcome, hehe.
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| HendricksHearth | Dec 24 2014, 03:28 PM Post #7 |
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Social Bunny
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Here we go! This is Sunshine's litter taken a few days ago. Markings don't look half-bad and I'm loving the Japanese rainbow as their fur comes in. ![]() Edit: Hope this isn't too big. Sorry I'm not sure how to resize! Edited by HendricksHearth, Dec 24 2014, 03:30 PM.
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Lauren @ Hendricks' Hearth http://www.hendrickshearth.weebly.com | |
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| sidd-says-gimme | Dec 24 2014, 04:26 PM Post #8 |
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sidd says stay gold
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There's a resize option on Photobucket. ![]() Soooo cute! Love the one with the mostly black head and the one with an eye patch.
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| NCK | Dec 24 2014, 04:30 PM Post #9 |
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Somebunny is a awfully chatty
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Super cute kits!
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| HendricksHearth | Dec 24 2014, 05:43 PM Post #10 |
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Social Bunny
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Thank you! |
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Lauren @ Hendricks' Hearth http://www.hendrickshearth.weebly.com | |
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| NeuBunny | Dec 26 2014, 08:05 PM Post #11 |
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Genetics Geek!
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That must be so exciting (and relieving!). Of course, pictures are more than welcome, hehe.
1:02 PM Jul 11