Rabbit Breeding

Rabbit breeding is a very detailed process. Since there are several types of genetic problems that can be found in the different types of rabbits you need to be selective. Good rabbit breeders only use the very best animals so that they can slow down the number of them with such genetic problems.

Many of the top rabbits used for breeding are registered. They have a pedigree that shows their line of ancestry. This is proof that they are good quality rabbits genetically. Rabbit breeders know they can get a premium price for the offspring when they have such documentation readily available to share.

It is important to only breed them with others that are of the same breed. Some types of cross breeding have taken place and lead to serious genetic problems down the road for them. A male rabbit will breed with several different females without any problems. It is best to place one female in his cage at a time and then a new one 12 to 24 hours later.

Rabbits are able to start breeding when they are only five or six months of age. Females generally have no trouble at all becoming pregnant. They also offer vary high amounts of offspring with each litter. The female is only pregnant for a duration of 29 to 31 days. The baby rabbits can be removed from the mother at about four weeks of age. She will likely be ready to breed again six weeks after each litter without any problems.

Most female rabbits are only able to reproduce for approximately four years. Of course they are offering so many litters per year during this time span that it really adds to a large number of offspring from each one. Some are stopped being bred earlier if they start to show symptoms of genetic problems, deteriorating health, they are only producing a few offspring each litter, or a large number of them are stillborn.

There are plenty of animal rights groups out there that do not like the process of rabbit breeding. They fear it is cruel and inhumane. Yet many breeders argue that rabbits are natural fast reproducers. They would be doing the same thing in the wild but this is just controlled breeding. In fact, they feel it is better as they are doing their part to reduce the number of rabbits that carry on the genetic problems associated with this type of animal.