There are a number of things to consider when you choose rabbits for breeding, any of which can make the difference between successful breeding and frustration.

Over weight bucks may have a decreased sex drive, and heavy does often have difficulty becoming pregnant. Does normally should be bred for the first time before they are one year old. After this, the older they are the more difficult is is for the breeding to be a success. Bucks are still able to breed when they are older, but should ideally be used before they are one year old as well. As the saying goes, "If you don't use it, you lose it"

A healthy rabbit is more likely to breed than an unhealthy one, and your rabbit may become more ill, so don't breed sick rabbits.

Does that are bred too often without time to recover from their last litter will eventually stop producing, and it could drastically shorten their life.

Extreme heat or cold can affect breeding. High temperatures can temporarily make the buck sterile, and in cold temperatures, the rabbits may use their energy to keep warm and have less energy for breeding.

Bucks with sore hocks may not be able to breed since all their weight shifts to their back feet when breeding the doe.

If rabbits don't have enough light during the day, they are less likely to breed. Unless you have artificial lighting in your rabbitry, breeding will decrease during the winter months when there is less natural light.

During a molt (twice a year rabbits fur will shed), there may be a deficiency in vitamins and nutrients that are needed in order for breeding to be a success.

Stress may cause your doe to absorb her babies. Strange, but true, rabbits have the ability to "absorb" their fetuses. This usually happens sometime in the first three week of pregnancy. During this last week of gestation the doe is more likely to abort externally than absorb the babies.

Rabbits know when someone different is around, so don't allow strangers in the rabbitry, and try to avoid unusual or loud noises that could startle your pregnant does.

Genetic factors, such as close in-breeding could keep an individual rabbit from being able to reproduce.

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Island Gems Rabbitry