Some tips from someone that used to breed 15-20 does at a time for meat. Older males go temporarily sterile when air temps are 85 or higher. Keep a young buck from your last spring litter, that will be just hitting maturity in late summer/early fall and use him for all your first breedings. The young boys are not as inclined to heat induced sterility because of surging hormones. I used to keep a lot of data because I was not only breeding for meat but also pedigreed rabbits for show. Show rabbits must all be tatooed in the ear. My system was to start my tats with the year, then each litter was numbered, then at 6 week weaning each kit in the litter was numbered; so the first kit to be tatooed in 2023 from the first litter born would be 230101, next kit in that litter would be 230102 and so on. Every litter had a record sheet including parents info,, number born, number of each sex, mortality, ect. Kits were weighed at weaning and got their tatoos and that was recorded. I was not only looking for good conformation but also fast growth. Kits would be weighed again at 8 weeks when I would also select any that I might keep out for breeders. (Be super picky! You want the biggest, the best put together ones in the litter. It wasn't uncommon for me to keep back only 1 doe in 100 and 1 buck in 200) When I processed the litter I also recorded that info including the collective live and processed weight. All of that helped me determine who the best does were, the best mothers, the ones that could have 8 babies and get them all to a good weight on time and who didn't usually miss. Another tip; take does to the buck for the first time in the evening and pull her after the fall off. Take her back in the morning. Rabbits don't ovulate until they are mounted so the first round stimulates ovulation and the second round 10-12 hours later gets them ferilized. I never had trouble with does rebreeding, generally. I fed a high protien pellet plus garden waste because I would rebreed at 30 days and wean at 6 weeks because we were too hot to have litters past the first part of May and even then those last litters often struggled to make weight by 8 weeks if it got hot early. Then does got to rest all summer and I'd start rebreeding as soon as air temps were coming down enough.
Great video. Thanks for keeping the"death cry" in so people can hear it, although not near as loud as in person lol. They are rare to scream but man they sure can make noise if they want to lol. Real life doing real chores gets me to give real likes and real comments. Happy holidays 😊
I thought it was important to leave that in so that people know it happens and it's not that the bunny is hurt, just scared. These bunnies are not handled so to move them light that must be scary for sure. Thank so much for being here and leaving real comments! Happy Holidays!
So I know this doesn’t have to do with what you are talking about. But, it’s not a coincidence every time I’m at the barn and Sugar hears your voice she has to come look and listen for a while 😂😂😂 happy bunny fay
I used to have scratches on my arms all the time. Then I switched the breed to Silver Fox and no more scratches. They are calm and docile. I was pleasantly surprised!
@@SageandStoneHomestead guess it depends on the line. I have had different lines over 5 years and no scratches. With the New Zealand and California's I had scratches healing always. Have many scars.
I found your channel recently and am SO THANKFUL I did. My dream is to have a homestead someday and your videos are so helpful for someone like me just starting out. I’ll get there one day. Raising meat rabbits is going to be my first step into this self sufficient lifestyle. Keep on keeping on 💕
I raised meat and pet rabbits years ago, on our acreage! I loved that experience so much! Thank you for the reminder of that terrific time in my life!!!
Our oldest doe didn’t take this past breeding cycle but she had been in with her previous litter just prior. I typically separate / wean like you mention. We will try her again this week along with 2 other new does. She’s a very attentive mom and happily fosters which makes her worth keeping around.
Another great video Heather! I love how you keep your videos 'real'. Chore hair and clothes beat anything you see at walmart. Gotta love shorts with boots! Only thing better is jammies and boots! 😂 I have one breeding trio. 1st attempt this season was unsuccessful. Buck hadn't 'cooled' down enough yet. 2nd attempt was successful. I have 2 new litters that are doing well. 🎉 ❤ Aunt Beth ❤
Thank you for your vidio. I have mixed rabbits to feed my self. They are small rex type and one that has a blacj nose. Their babys are about 1.5 kilo after 10 weeks. I have a 4 rabbits and each month i allow one f-male to mate. When the babys are 2 months old i remove them and seperate males and f-males in grow out cages for a max of 4 weeks before they end up in my freeser. Me and my dog have between 2 and 9 bunnys for each month to consume. I have 4 hens for eggs and 200 banana trees and sweet potatoes as a ground cover. I feed my rabbits sweet potato, banana leves and broken corn. From my veg garden i give them vegies and some frute. My 6 bee hives and my shugar cane pach give me my shugar that i need. I have only rain water and solar on my urban 1000 metre square "farm"
You sound like you have an AMAZING system!! I thought about planting some banana trees. They won't fruit here but being able to use the leaves as feed seems like a good reason to grow them!
Great information, thank you so much for sharing Heather. We had several rabbits at one time when I was a child and I remember my brother's rabbit, Sandy having 14 babies!!! I would like to get more rabbits eventually, we use to have "pet" rabbits and the kids wanted them for 4-H. It's been years since we've had rabbits, but I would like to have them for their manure.
I have one talking about it but not how to make it. We need to redo the floors of these tractors though! th-cam.com/video/euFvyhstY5Q/w-d-xo.htmlsi=EMcnvTsPepF6ELFR
Where do you get the plastic cage that fits in the wagon? I love the ease of transporting that way. Love your videos, very informative as I’m new to meat rabbits.
I'm enjoying your daily vlogs Heather, I know as busy as you are finding time & ideas is probably a challenge! Thank you for them! Those bunny sleeves are great! I've never seen them before!! I just take a pair of men's heavy crew socks, cut off the toe for my fingers & a bit of heel for the thumb. Yours look much nicer!! They're definitely a huge benefit when moving rabbits!! I have scars to prove it! 😁 God bless!!
The ideas are not usually the problem, there is SO much going on around here! We do have a few days of windy cruddy weather and when I'm restricted like that and the family is cooped up indoors that's a challenge as far as content goes but that's okay! Your sock trick sounds perfect!!
Mostly for me what has needed working on is the width in the front. I like to keep ones that are pretty even in the front and back (within reason, back legs are always bigger because that's just how they are). A Round ball from all angles vs teardrop shaped. I get more into that in this video: th-cam.com/video/F8vtV80I28I/w-d-xo.htmlsi=2hKStDLSNau07tvA
I have a quick question my doe was due 31 days on Sunday but still hasn't had any kits. Is that normal, should I wait longer and if so how long? She had nesting behavior a week ago and building a nest. I put the nest box in at 28 days. No fur has been pulled out either.
@@SageandStoneHomestead okay thanks so much! So are they guaranteed to be small if they go over? She's a large size breed, American chinchilla, but downsize is she is a year old and first pregnancy if successful
That has just been my experience. If they go over either I had my dates wrong, or the litter was small. First pregnancies sometimes are smaller too so don't fret. We like to give them 3 births/birthing attempts to see how they will be as far as litter size and mothering ability. They do sometimes do strange things the first time.
Hi Heather What is the name of the beautiful soft brown rabbit breed?? And do you have videos on tanning the hides?? Also those arm protectors seem great. 😉 George always gets scratched. 🥴 Thanks.
We haven't successfully tanned a hide. We have bad fly issues here most of the year and will try again in Jan-March That bunny is a mix. He's really nice and cute!
@@SageandStoneHomestead yes he is!! I'm trying for the first time in a few days to a week. All of life depends on my dad. Dr appointments, rehab & home nurses. But I have finally gotten all I think I need. Then it has to soak for 2 weeks. I'll let you know how things go.
You really don't think of rabbits making noise. So, what's with the male "falling off" after breeding? Watching you working while in your shorts makes me colder than I already am...sitting here in front of my space heater! 😁
It wasn't cold out even though it looked like it should be! The male does that funny fall-off motion with a successful breeding. He puts all he has into it I guess? Lol
I’m loving your videos. I have heard mixed things about scruffing rabbits. Is it harmful to them or not? Sure would make my life easier to scruff the grow outs instead of chasing them around the cage lol
You want to do it where they are balanced. Not behind their neck but more balanced along their back. So if they thrash they can't swing around and damage their spines. It's honestly best to support their weight while cradling their hind legs but a lot of meat rabbits are pretty wild and they use their claws.
Rabbits ovulation is triggered by the act of breeding. She's receptive most of the time. If a rabbit isn't willing to breed, in our experience it's due to short day length or overcrowding.
My bunny’s mom wasn’t a good mom so I have had to hold her down and feed her babies twice a day since they have been born. How do I wean them? They are 6 weeks now. Should I feed them just once a day now? Whenever I bring the mom they are always so hungry and drink up the milk it seems weird to not let them. Someone please help!! Idk what to do!!
Yes that is a great plan. once a day feeding on mom and make sure their feed/hay is full to the top at all times as they are growing out. I'd say after a week of once a day feedings you can drop the feedings entirely.
My Bunny Gloves/Protective Sleeves: shorturl.at/jw079
From what I herd From other TH-camers , you can give the Doe ‘mint 🍃 leaves” to help her stop lactating . 👍
@@ProfessorFickle smart!! I bet that's true because mint will dry up human milk too
Some tips from someone that used to breed 15-20 does at a time for meat. Older males go temporarily sterile when air temps are 85 or higher. Keep a young buck from your last spring litter, that will be just hitting maturity in late summer/early fall and use him for all your first breedings. The young boys are not as inclined to heat induced sterility because of surging hormones. I used to keep a lot of data because I was not only breeding for meat but also pedigreed rabbits for show. Show rabbits must all be tatooed in the ear. My system was to start my tats with the year, then each litter was numbered, then at 6 week weaning each kit in the litter was numbered; so the first kit to be tatooed in 2023 from the first litter born would be 230101, next kit in that litter would be 230102 and so on. Every litter had a record sheet including parents info,, number born, number of each sex, mortality, ect. Kits were weighed at weaning and got their tatoos and that was recorded. I was not only looking for good conformation but also fast growth. Kits would be weighed again at 8 weeks when I would also select any that I might keep out for breeders. (Be super picky! You want the biggest, the best put together ones in the litter. It wasn't uncommon for me to keep back only 1 doe in 100 and 1 buck in 200) When I processed the litter I also recorded that info including the collective live and processed weight. All of that helped me determine who the best does were, the best mothers, the ones that could have 8 babies and get them all to a good weight on time and who didn't usually miss. Another tip; take does to the buck for the first time in the evening and pull her after the fall off. Take her back in the morning. Rabbits don't ovulate until they are mounted so the first round stimulates ovulation and the second round 10-12 hours later gets them ferilized. I never had trouble with does rebreeding, generally. I fed a high protien pellet plus garden waste because I would rebreed at 30 days and wean at 6 weeks because we were too hot to have litters past the first part of May and even then those last litters often struggled to make weight by 8 weeks if it got hot early. Then does got to rest all summer and I'd start rebreeding as soon as air temps were coming down enough.
Thank you SO Much!!! Very valuable information!
Thanks for sharing more info about your rabbit breeding/weaning process, Heather. Great info about using protective gloves/sleeves too.
💚🐇💚
The bunny gloves have saved my arms a few times!
Great video. Thanks for keeping the"death cry" in so people can hear it, although not near as loud as in person lol. They are rare to scream but man they sure can make noise if they want to lol. Real life doing real chores gets me to give real likes and real comments. Happy holidays 😊
I thought it was important to leave that in so that people know it happens and it's not that the bunny is hurt, just scared. These bunnies are not handled so to move them light that must be scary for sure. Thank so much for being here and leaving real comments! Happy Holidays!
So I know this doesn’t have to do with what you are talking about. But, it’s not a coincidence every time I’m at the barn and Sugar hears your voice she has to come look and listen for a while 😂😂😂 happy bunny fay
Hahah I love it! Hi Sugar!!
When that bunny was screaming - reminded me of when the goat kids holler for Mom. LOL
Yes! Much drama! Temperament is partially genetic and Jumper's kits are wiley.
I used to have scratches on my arms all the time. Then I switched the breed to Silver Fox and no more scratches. They are calm and docile. I was pleasantly surprised!
I had a WILD Silver Fox doe Once!! No TH-cam Channel at that time!
@@SageandStoneHomestead guess it depends on the line. I have had different lines over 5 years and no scratches. With the New Zealand and California's I had scratches healing always. Have many scars.
Great video Heather. Thank you for sharing. Love and Blessings to you all.
❤❤❤❤🙏🙏🙏🙏 Doris, Penrith 🇦🇺🦘
This was a fun one! Thanks for watching! ♥
I found your channel recently and am SO THANKFUL I did. My dream is to have a homestead someday and your videos are so helpful for someone like me just starting out. I’ll get there one day. Raising meat rabbits is going to be my first step into this self sufficient lifestyle. Keep on keeping on 💕
You'll get there!! ♥♥
I raised meat and pet rabbits years ago, on our acreage! I loved that experience so much! Thank you for the reminder of that terrific time in my life!!!
You're so welcome! Hugs!
Our oldest doe didn’t take this past breeding cycle but she had been in with her previous litter just prior. I typically separate / wean like you mention. We will try her again this week along with 2 other new does. She’s a very attentive mom and happily fosters which makes her worth keeping around.
Yes!! Foster moms are so valuable!!
Another great video Heather! I love how you keep your videos 'real'. Chore hair and clothes beat anything you see at walmart. Gotta love shorts with boots! Only thing better is jammies and boots! 😂
I have one breeding trio. 1st attempt this season was unsuccessful. Buck hadn't 'cooled' down enough yet. 2nd attempt was successful. I have 2 new litters that are doing well. 🎉
❤ Aunt Beth ❤
Boots are necessary this time of year but pants are optional 🤣❤️
Amazing AweSomeS...................
Thanks 🤗
Thank you for your vidio. I have mixed rabbits to feed my self. They are small rex type and one that has a blacj nose. Their babys are about 1.5 kilo after 10 weeks. I have a 4 rabbits and each month i allow one f-male to mate. When the babys are 2 months old i remove them and seperate males and f-males in grow out cages for a max of 4 weeks before they end up in my freeser. Me and my dog have between 2 and 9 bunnys for each month to consume. I have 4 hens for eggs and 200 banana trees and sweet potatoes as a ground cover. I feed my rabbits sweet potato, banana leves and broken corn. From my veg garden i give them vegies and some frute. My 6 bee hives and my shugar cane pach give me my shugar that i need. I have only rain water and solar on my urban 1000 metre square "farm"
You sound like you have an AMAZING system!! I thought about planting some banana trees. They won't fruit here but being able to use the leaves as feed seems like a good reason to grow them!
Morning Beautiful, I did not know rabbits made noises. 😂😂😂🙄🙄
They reserve it for when they really need to use it.
Great information, thank you so much for sharing Heather. We had several rabbits at one time when I was a child and I remember my brother's rabbit, Sandy having 14 babies!!! I would like to get more rabbits eventually, we use to have "pet" rabbits and the kids wanted them for 4-H. It's been years since we've had rabbits, but I would like to have them for their manure.
Rabbits are so awesome! Even if kept for manure only they are so valuable!
I thought my babies had lungs. 😂😂😂😂
They are nothing compared. Lol
Right!! haha
Those gloves are a great idea!
They are awesome!
Very interesting. Your rabbits are beautiful!
Thank you very much! 😍❤️🐇
Those gloves were a great idea!! Thanks for sharing and stay safe!!
They have saved my arms many times!! ♥
I have to say although they are short I am loving this vlogmas content. Your doing great…the content is amazing.😊
Yay! Thank you!! They have to be shorter to keep the quality up for daily content. So far I am loving it too!
Thanks for the great video! Do you have a video on the rabbit tractors where you keep the grow outs?
I have one talking about it but not how to make it. We need to redo the floors of these tractors though! th-cam.com/video/euFvyhstY5Q/w-d-xo.htmlsi=EMcnvTsPepF6ELFR
Where do you get the plastic cage that fits in the wagon? I love the ease of transporting that way. Love your videos, very informative as I’m new to meat rabbits.
I got it on Amazon ages ago, it's a chicken transport crate !
I'm enjoying your daily vlogs Heather, I know as busy as you are finding time & ideas is probably a challenge! Thank you for them!
Those bunny sleeves are great! I've never seen them before!! I just take a pair of men's heavy crew socks, cut off the toe for my fingers & a bit of heel for the thumb. Yours look much nicer!! They're definitely a huge benefit when moving rabbits!! I have scars to prove it! 😁 God bless!!
The ideas are not usually the problem, there is SO much going on around here! We do have a few days of windy cruddy weather and when I'm restricted like that and the family is cooped up indoors that's a challenge as far as content goes but that's okay! Your sock trick sounds perfect!!
Good morning Heather. What cute bunnies. ❤❤❤
Good morning! Thanks!!
What do you look for when you decide to keep a rabbit back for breeding?
Mostly for me what has needed working on is the width in the front. I like to keep ones that are pretty even in the front and back (within reason, back legs are always bigger because that's just how they are). A Round ball from all angles vs teardrop shaped. I get more into that in this video: th-cam.com/video/F8vtV80I28I/w-d-xo.htmlsi=2hKStDLSNau07tvA
While the plastic cage that you put the ones in that you're going to process this. Fantastic! Where did you get that from?
I got in on Amazon a whole ago, it's designed for chickens but works very well for rabbits.
@@SageandStoneHomestead Thank you! I'm really enjoying your videos 🙂
I need to jnvest in Rabbit sleeves! 😅
Livesavers! Armsavers!
I have a quick question my doe was due 31 days on Sunday but still hasn't had any kits. Is that normal, should I wait longer and if so how long?
She had nesting behavior a week ago and building a nest. I put the nest box in at 28 days. No fur has been pulled out either.
Wait until day 34. Sometimes when they have small litters they hang onto them a couple extra days
@@SageandStoneHomestead okay thanks so much! So are they guaranteed to be small if they go over? She's a large size breed, American chinchilla, but downsize is she is a year old and first pregnancy if successful
That has just been my experience. If they go over either I had my dates wrong, or the litter was small. First pregnancies sometimes are smaller too so don't fret. We like to give them 3 births/birthing attempts to see how they will be as far as litter size and mothering ability. They do sometimes do strange things the first time.
Hi Heather
What is the name of the beautiful soft brown rabbit breed??
And do you have videos on tanning the hides??
Also those arm protectors seem great. 😉 George always gets scratched. 🥴
Thanks.
We haven't successfully tanned a hide. We have bad fly issues here most of the year and will try again in Jan-March
That bunny is a mix. He's really nice and cute!
@@SageandStoneHomestead yes he is!! I'm trying for the first time in a few days to a week. All of life depends on my dad. Dr appointments, rehab & home nurses.
But I have finally gotten all I think I need. Then it has to soak for 2 weeks. I'll let you know how things go.
You really don't think of rabbits making noise. So, what's with the male "falling off" after breeding?
Watching you working while in your shorts makes me colder than I already am...sitting here in front of my space heater! 😁
It wasn't cold out even though it looked like it should be! The male does that funny fall-off motion with a successful breeding. He puts all he has into it I guess? Lol
Very nice video!😊I subscribed 😊
Well hello there! Welcome to the channel! ♥
I’m loving your videos. I have heard mixed things about scruffing rabbits. Is it harmful to them or not? Sure would make my life easier to scruff the grow outs instead of chasing them around the cage lol
You want to do it where they are balanced. Not behind their neck but more balanced along their back. So if they thrash they can't swing around and damage their spines. It's honestly best to support their weight while cradling their hind legs but a lot of meat rabbits are pretty wild and they use their claws.
@@SageandStoneHomestead you are a wealth of information, thank you Heather!
Hello i just subscribe, i whole like to see more rabbits videos please
I'll see what I can do! :)
How do you know when a doe is in heat
Rabbits ovulation is triggered by the act of breeding. She's receptive most of the time. If a rabbit isn't willing to breed, in our experience it's due to short day length or overcrowding.
@@SageandStoneHomestead thank you
My bunny’s mom wasn’t a good mom so I have had to hold her down and feed her babies twice a day since they have been born. How do I wean them? They are 6 weeks now. Should I feed them just once a day now? Whenever I bring the mom they are always so hungry and drink up the milk it seems weird to not let them. Someone please help!! Idk what to do!!
Yes that is a great plan. once a day feeding on mom and make sure their feed/hay is full to the top at all times as they are growing out. I'd say after a week of once a day feedings you can drop the feedings entirely.
@@SageandStoneHomestead they are 6 weeks now and I’m feeding them twice a day. Should I just switch to once a day or?
Yes you can switch to once a day right now
@@SageandStoneHomestead ok!
I need few breeding stocks from you please
Send me an email SageAndStoneHomestead@gmail.com