How To Breed Meat Rabbits In Your Own Backyard
Are you wondering how to breed meat rabbits? Meat rabbits are a GREAT way to raise your own meat in a small space like a backyard in the middle of the city (that’s me!). Rabbits take up very little room and are quiet, easy to feed, and simple to process for the freezer.
Plus, the meat is delicious and as versatile as chicken! Honestly, my kids can’t tell the difference.
But the key is to figure out how to breed meat rabbits safely and effectively so that you can have many litters from your breeding pair that will later become meat for your family.
Here’s how to breed meat rabbits!
1) You need a buck and a doe.
In order to breed meat rabbits, you will need a buck (male) and a doe (female) to be your breeding pair. It is also helpful to have more than one female to breed if you have the space for it.
We have 1 buck and 4 does that are bred on rotation so that we are always getting meat for our freezers while also giving the does a break between litters.
2) Always bring the doe to the buck for breeding.
A doe is territorial. If you bring the buck to the doe’s cage for breeding, there is a chance she will attack the buck and try to harm him in order to “protect” her territory.
It is better to get her out of her own space. When you are ready to breed, bring the doe to the buck’s cage and allow him to mount.
3) Always watch the breeding.
It is important to watch your rabbits while they are breeding. First, you want to watch for fall-offs to determine if the breed was successful.
Second, you want to make sure that the doe does not attack the buck. If she attacks, she will try to castrate the buck. You need to stand by and be ready to jump in if needed.
4) Count the fall-offs.
A fall-off is when the buck mounts the doe, successfully ejaculates, and then falls off. It’s best to get 3 successful fall-offs before ending a breeding session.
Rabbits are induced ovulators so each fall-off triggers a release of eggs in her body, increasing her chance of getting pregnant and producing a large litter.
5) Track 27-31 days after breeding.
If you have a successful breeding session, calculate the dates for 27-31 days later when a litter might be born. It is important to track these dates and watch for signs of pregnancy because the doe will need a nest box.
Download your free breeding tracker to help you keep track of successful breeds and pregnancies.
6) Prepare for birth.
One week before the doe’s calculated due date window, begin to free feed her. Rabbits are prey animals. Free feeding assures the doe that there is plenty of food for her and her babies.
At 27 days after breeding, place a nest box with hay into the doe’s cage and watch for signs of the doe pulling her fur and adding it to the nest box.
Check for babies buried in the nest box between days 27-31.
7) After birth.
As tempting as it is, leave the newborn rabbits nestled in their nest box until they begin to grow fur (yes, it’s so fun to play with baby rabbits when they are a little grown!).
Continue free feeding the doe as she nurses her litter.
Technically, a doe could be bred again as soon as she gives birth, but this practice will wear her body out quickly. Instead, wait 4-6 weeks before breeding her again.
8) Stay organized.
While it is simple, the order of steps can seem overwhelming at first. That is why I created a breeding tracker chart that you can use to track successful breeds, due dates, and future breeding dates.
I also created a breeding checklist that you can follow. It will walk you through breeding, birth, and litter care until the next breed.
Download your free tracker and checklist in order to stay organized and take the guesswork out of breeding meat rabbits!
