Breeding
The ideal age for the female Belgian Hare to start breeding is about 9 months of age, and can produce large litters of between 4 to 8 babies, with a gestation period of between 28 to 31 days. On average, they give birth at 30 to 32 days.
As different bucks and does react to the breeding situation differently, one must be prepared to adapt their breeding practices to the Hare's preferences.
Like all rabbits, Belgian Hares are induced ovulators (a doe can immediately ovulate at the time of breeding). However, the doe has a 10-14 day receptivity cycle. During her receptivity period she will accept the buck readily. A receptive doe can be identified by the dark pink, moist, appearance of her vulva. If you have a receptive doe to breed, by all means, try placing her in your buck's cage first, but watch them carefully. In many instances, the buck, the doe, or both animals can become so upset by the appearance of the other Hare, that they will either attack (and you will have a real fight on your hands) or retreat to a corner and cower.
A method of breeding used very successfully by some breeders is the "honeymoon cottage". In this method, a large cage, at least 60 inches long is partitioned into two parts with a plywood wall. The smaller part should be about 18 inches long, and the larger, 42 inches. The plywood wall should have a 6 inch round hole through it at the doe's shoulder height. A clean, sterilized cage should be used so that there are no other animal odors on it. In other words, the cage should be "neutral ground". It is recommended that the doe and buck be placed together for 10 – 14 days to bond with each other, and eventually mate. Initially, it is expected that the two may chase each other around back and forth through the hole, and after a while, the doe will discover that when the buck's amorous advances became too much, she can defend her territory, i.e., her side of the cage, by standing with her head in the hole. They will mate when both buck and does are ready. Ten to fourteen days through her gestation period, the buck should be removed, and the larger part of the cage should be cleaned, leaving the cardboard covered smaller part alone. After a while, the doe will make a nest on the floor of the darkened, smaller, part of the cage, and conceive at the end of her gestation period. Following a period of eight weeks after the conception, it is recommended that the litter be weaned by removing the doe, and the doe and buck be separated.
Read more about this topic: Belgian Hare
Famous quotes containing the word breeding:
“Civility, which is a disposition to accommodate and oblige others, is essentially the same in every country; but good breeding, as it is called, which is the manner of exerting that disposition, is different in almost every country, and merely local; and every man of sense imitates and conforms to that local good breeding of the place which he is at.”
—Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl Chesterfield (1694–1773)
“The breeding we give young people is ordinarily but an additional self-love, by which we make them have a better opinion of themselves.”
—François, Duc De La Rochefoucauld (1613–1680)
“We have been God-like in our planned breeding of our domesticated plants and animals, but we have been rabbit-like in our unplanned breeding of ourselves.”
—A.J. (Arnold Joseph)