Reproduction

Question 1

How does puberty vary with size?

Answer 1

Small: 4-5 months, medium: 4-6 months, large: 5-8 months.

Question 2

Describe puberty in NZW

Answer 2

Female 5m, male 6-7m

Question 3

What is the breeding lifespan of a doe and buck? What happens with increasing age?

Answer 3

1-3 yr doe, buck 5-6 yr. Litter size diminishes with increasing age

Question 4

Why should does only be bred once they are at their mature size?

Answer 4

Does engage in reproductive behavior before they are ovulating

Question 5

Describe the estrous cycle of the doe

Answer 5

No estrous cycle, rhythm of receptivity to buck. 1-2 days of anestrus every 4-17 days

Question 6

What signals that a doe is receptive? What is not a useful tool?

Answer 6

Vulva is swollen, moist, and dark pink or red, lordosis, restlessness, chin rubbing. Vaginal cytology not helpful

Question 7

Where should mating occur?

Answer 7

In buck’s cage, doe can be territorial

Question 8

How many does can one buck service?

Answer 8

10-15 does

Question 9

When do does ovulate? What percent fail to ovulate after mating?

Answer 9

10-13 hours after copulation (induced). 25% fail to ovulate

Question 10

How can ovulation be chemically induced?

Answer 10

GRH, LH, hCG

Question 11

When can does be bred after kindling?

Answer 11

Immediately, if foster mother nurses young

Question 12

When can pregnancy be confirmed?

Answer 12

11d via radiographs, 14d via palpation

Question 13

How do conception rates correlate with ambient temperature?

Answer 13

Inverse

Question 14

How long is gestation? When will does start refusing a buck?

Answer 14

30-32 days. Refuse after 2-3 weeks

Question 15

When do does start nesting? Where should the nesting box not be placed?

Answer 15

3-4 days before parturition, not placed in urination corner

Question 16

How is pseudopregnancy induced? How long does it last, due to what structure? What signs are noted?

Answer 16

Mounting by other does, sterile mating, LH, or nearby bucks. 15-17 days due to persistent CL producing progesterone. Uterus and mammary glands enlarge, hair pulling to build a nest towards the end.

Question 17

How long does parturition take? When?

Answer 17

30-60 minutes in early morning

Question 18

What signs precede labor in 2-3 days? (2)

Answer 18

Nesting and decreased food intake

Question 19

What are normal positions for delivered kits?

Answer 19

Anterior and breech

Question 20

Beyond what day of gestation are kits no longer viable? What is the risk of retained kits?

Answer 20

35 days, risk to future reproduction

Question 21

On average, how many kits per litter? List average kits/litter for four breeds.

Answer 21

7-9 kits/litter on average. Polish < 4, Dutch and Flemish Giant 4-7, NZW 8-10

Question 22

How many pairs of nipples does a doe have? When does mammary development occur?

Answer 22

4-5 pairs (males have none). Occurs last week of pregnancy

Question 23

When do does nurse?

Answer 23

Once daily for several minutes

Question 24

When is milk intake maximized? How long can nursing last, and when are kits typically weaned?

Answer 24

Maximum milk intake between 17-25 days. Nursing can last 5-10 weeks, usually eating solid food by 3 weeks and weaned at 5-8 weeks.