How to Breed Rabbits in Tennessee

People can supplement their income or even profit from breeding and selling rabbits. The animals can be sold for a diverse range of purposes, from pets to food to use in a laboratory. The United States Department of Agriculture estimates that "per doe start-up costs are generally around $70" when beginning a commercial meat operation. Rabbits require relatively little space and care as compared to other pet and meat industries, and Tennessee's mild climate makes breeding and production of these animals less demanding than other states.

Things You'll Need

  • 2 breeding cages
  • Buck
  • Doe
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Instructions

  1. Preparation

    • 1

      Place the breeding cages in an area where they receive 14 to 16 hours of light per day and the temperature is between 55 F and 85 F.

    • 2

      Place the buck in his own breeding cage. This allows him to acclimate to his new environment for a period of 12 to 24 hours.

    • 3

      Check the doe for signs of heat by laying her in your lap. The doe should be sexually mature which begins around 3 months for miniature breeds and 8 months for giant breeds.

    • 4

      Gently turn her over on her back with her hind legs pointing towards your knees. This will prevent her from kicking herself off of your lap.

    • 5

      Check the doe's vulva. It should be pinkish-red and slightly swollen when she is in heat as compared to a non-swollen, whitish-pink vulva that presents out of heat.

    • 6

      Place the doe in her breeding cage for a period of 12 to 24 hours prior to introducing her to the buck.

    Breeding

    • 7

      Place the in-heat doe into the buck's breeding cage between late afternoon and early evening. This will prevent the male from being distracted by a new environment and allow him to focus on the female.

    • 8

      Leave the doe with the buck overnight. This will allow them to mate several times during the evening and morning.

    • 9

      Separate the doe from the buck by removing her from his cage for a minimum of 12 hours. This allows them to recuperate and rest for the next mating session.

    • 10

      Repeat breeding steps 1 through 3 for one week or until the doe comes out of heat.

    • 11

      Record all the breeding dates for future use.

    Palpation

    • 12

      Palpate the doe 14 days after breeding by setting the doe in your lap. Her head should face toward your stomach.

    • 13

      Place both hands under her belly between her back legs.

    • 14

      Massage her lower belly in a slow, gentle rhythm.

    • 15

      Feel for any grape-size bumps; these are the kits.