CASTLE BUNNIES

       Breeding

 There is no golden rule as to how you should breed your rabbits as long as you always make sure they are properly looked after. This is my prefered way of breeding and other breeders will have theirs, its up to you to decide which suits you.

 Rabbits are prolific breeders and some females can produce large litters of kits, so it is advisable to plan ahead. Try to get outlets for your young before you start to breed.If you decide to breed your rabbits we strongly recommend that you breed from the same breed and do not cross breed.It has taken many years for some top breeders to produce the breeds that we have today and we do not want to undo all this hard work and dedication to our interest by indiscriminate pairings. Smaller breeds of rabbits are able to reproduce at around six months of age, larger breeds are a little longer at about nine. Though it is proberly better to wait untill all are twelve months old. You can tell when your doe is ready to mate because the skin around her genitals goes a deep reddish colour,also some does will start digging their beding up, she can then be placed in the bucks cage.Always Check your buck and Doe before placing them together for vent disease,  NEVER place the buck in the does cage or instead of love you will have war. Mating will take place soon after, though it is perhaps better to leave her there for one or two days just to make sure. After mating if the doe is pregnant she will give birth approximately 31 days later. You can place a kindling box inside the closed area of her hutch, though some does will choose not to use it. Does do not show they are pregnant until close to giving birth when they will start to build a nest out of straw which they will line with fur from their bodies. She will then give birth to up to twelve young. It is very important not to disturb the nest as the doe could leave her kits or even worse kill them. After about a week you could gently open the top of the nest with a stick but do not be tempted to do it too often. I have never handled the young until they leave the nest unless one gets out, then it is replaced, but I do not pick the kit up with my bare hands, I gently replace it by using a cloth or piece of kitchen towel, as this will not smell of me and mum will not get upset.  The young should leave the nest in about two to three weeks and be eating and drinking by themselves at about six to eight week old.

 www.freewebs.com/bloomingrabbits/  this link has realy good advice for anyone who wants to start breeding rabbits, also covers health in great detail,

Showing Your Rabbits,

 If you decide you would like to show off the rabbits that you have bred we strongly recommend that you visit a rabbit show before hand in order that you get and idea of what goes on as this may not be for you. It is a very nice way to meet other people that breed rabbits and get valuable information and advice. Joining the British Rabbit Council can be beneficial too as shows are run to their rules and by being a member it qualifies you for their awards should you win. 

There are lots of different breeds of rabbits in lots of different colours and each breed has what is called a show standard. This is set by the British Rabbit Council and is a guide for the breeder. It is what  breeders all strive to breed their rabbits as close to as possible, and is what the judge of the show judges your rabbit to (the closer to the standard the more points you get). It tells you what the ideal weight should be of your rabbit and type of your chosen breed (type is what shape, how it stands and general way your rabbit looks). It tells you how your chosen breeds coat should look eg: short or long and what colours are accepted and how they should look, colour of eyes and even toenails. It also lists major faults and why your rabbit could be disqualified from a show. 

If you are going to show your rabbits then they will need to be rung with a special ring which can be obtained from the British Rabbit Council. You can show a rabbit without a ring in the pet class. The show standard tells you what size the ring should be for your chosen breed. There are other clubs you can also join and you can find out about when and where shows are held from these. Also there are publications that print show dates etc. ie Fur and Feather incorporating Rabbits . Joining your local rabbit club is also very helpfull and offer to steward at shows, this can be very helpful as while you are stewarding you can here what the judge says about the rabbits he is judging and you get to learn about all the breeds, also offer to help at your local show setting up before hand and takeing the pens down afterwards, you then get to see all the hard work that goes on behind the show before it can be put on for us to enjoy,

 Here At Castle Bunnies we show mini lops, mini lion lops and netherland dwarfs, these are fairly short coated rabbits though the mini lion lops have a mane of long wool like fur around their necks and front which is called a bib. As show cages contain wood shavings  which sticks to there manes, it is advisable to have wire platform called a raiser in the show cage to prevent this. 

                  This page is still being updated the rest will be posted soon,