1. Reproduction of Rabbits Small Animal Science

2. 1. Rabbits become sexually mature at ____ to 8 months of age depending on the _______________. The miniature and small rabbits mature at about ____ months. 2. Female rabbits do not have a regular __________ like most other animals. Rabbits in ___________ become sexually active depending on the length of _________ and the ________________. Rabbits kept __________ under artificial light and warmth can be bred all __________. A doe can be ________ anytime during the year, except when the doe is more _______________.

3. 3. If vulva is ________, small, and dull, the doe will probably not be receptive; if it is __________, the chances of conception will be ____________. If vulva is ______, slightly swollen, and glistening in appearance, the doe will be more receptive and ____________ of conception will be better; if it is ___________-purple and swollen, she will probably be more receptive and chances of conception will be at the ____________. 4. To _______ a doe rabbit, she will need to placed in the male’s cage; the male should ________ be placed into the doe’s cage because he will be more interested in ___________ the cage and the doe will become very ___________ and will __________. Once placed in the male’s cage, they will need to be _________ to make sure mating is ____________ and no fighting is taking place.

4. 5. Mating in the cage will be over ____________, and the male will _________ backward or to the ___________ when mating is _______________. Actual mating causes the ovaries to release ___________ 8-10 _____________ after mating. The sperm remains ___________ for 30-36 hours in the doe’s _______________ tract. In some cases the sperm will remain in the viable up to _______ hours or longer. Another mating may be done ____ -____ hours after the first stimulates the ovaries to release more eggs for a ____________ litter.

5. 6. Experienced __________ can palpate a doe 12-14 days to determine if the doe is pregnant. ____________ is done by placing the doe on a flat surface and holding her _________ with one hand and sliding the other hand under her ___________. If pregnant the fetuses will feel like ____________. If pregnant, birth should happen ____-_____ days after mating has occurred. 7. ___________ is giving birth to a litter of rabbits. Two days before giving birth, a doe should be provided a _____ box that should have some straw or ___________ inside. One day before giving birth, the doe will pull ________ from her _______ and use it for the nest. This is done as part of the nesting __________ and does not hurt the doe. The doe should then be left ____________.

6. 8. While giving birth, too much __________ may cause the doe to become _________ and nervous causing her to scatter the newborn rabbits through the __________ and even killing them. At ____ hours after birth, the breeder may check to see if the newborns are alright. The breeder must talk to the doe so she does get excited and ____________ the nest very slow and _______________. If any newborns are _______ these must be removed to prevent any contamination of ___________ and flies to the healthy ones. 9. Doe’s nurse the newborns ____ or _____ a day and usually takes place at ________. If a doe does not accept the newborns, they may be fed by ________ or fostered off to another doe within the first _____ days of life. If feeding by hand: a formula of 1 pint ______ milk or lactate-free cow’s milk, plus 2 tbsp. of powdered ______ and tbsp. Karo syrup can be used.

7. 10. Young rabbits should be stimulated to _________ and defecate every ____-3 hours by wiping the genital area with a ____________, soft cotton swab. 11.________ of a young rabbit should open at 12-14 days of age, and at 12-14 days ____________ out of the nest box and start to nibble on ___________ or feed ____________ left by the doe. 12. ___________ a litter depends the breed, size of litter, and the ____________ of the individual bunnies. Usually, litters are weaned at ____ - ____ weeks of age. Once separated, bunnies should be left ___________ for 7-14 days to reduce the ___________ from _____________.

8. 13. _________ rabbits should reach a marketable weight of ____ - ____ pounds by 8- ____ weeks of age. 14. A doe can be __________ 3 days after kindling, but is not recommended. Preferred breeding is ____ weeks before weaning a litter and __________ conception rates are better.