34 AGRICITLTURE HANDBOOK NO. 309, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE 



Figure 13. — Proper way to carry 

 medium-sized and large rabbits. 



Lift and carry heavier rabbits 

 in a similar manner. If the rabbit 

 scratches and struggles, hold it 

 snugly under the left arm. 



Making Matings 



Does may give evidence of being 

 ready for mating by restlessness, 

 nervousness, efforts to join other 

 rabbits in nearby hutches, and by 

 rubbing their chin on feed man- 

 gers and water crocks. However, 

 it is not necessary to depend on 

 external signs to determine when a 

 doe is to be bred. Set up a definite 

 schedule and follow it, whether the 

 doe shows signs of being ready for 

 service or not. 



Breed a large number of does 

 at one time to make fryers avail- 

 able at a certain season for the 

 trade, or utilize a breeding sched- 

 ule to produce a constant supply. 

 Always take the doe to the buck's 

 hutch for service. You may have 

 difficulty in service if you take the 

 buck to the doe. The doe is likely 

 to object to having another rabbit 

 in her hutch and may savagely at- 

 tack and injure the buck. Also, 



some bucks are slow in performing 

 service in a strange hutch. Mating 

 should occur almost immediately 

 on placing the doe in the buck's 

 hutch. After the buck mounts and 

 falls over on his side, the mating 

 is accomplished. Return the doe 

 to her own hutch. 



It is difficult to get some does 

 to accept service. Such does may 

 be restrained for mating. To re- 

 strain the doe (fig. 14), use the 

 right hand to hold the ears and a 

 fold of the skin over the shoulders, 

 and place the left hand under the 

 body and between the hind legs. 

 Place the thumb on the right side 

 of the vulva, the index finger on 

 the left side (you may prefer to 

 use the index and second finger), 

 and push the skin gently backward. 

 This procedure throws the tail up 

 over the back. Support the weight 

 of the body by the left hand, and 

 elevate the hindquarters only to 

 the normal height for service. 



B S3066 

 Figure 14. — How to restrain a doe for 

 mating when service is not promptly 

 accepted. Shows position of hands 

 for holding the doe and supporting 

 and elevating the hindquarters. 



