Reproduction Flashcards
How does puberty vary with size?
Small: 4-5 months, medium: 4-6 months, large: 5-8 months.
Describe puberty in NZW
Female 5m, male 6-7m
What is the breeding lifespan of a doe and buck? What happens with increasing age?
1-3 yr doe, buck 5-6 yr. Litter size diminishes with increasing age
Why should does only be bred once they are at their mature size?
Does engage in reproductive behavior before they are ovulating
Describe the estrous cycle of the doe
No estrous cycle, rhythm of receptivity to buck. 1-2 days of anestrus every 4-17 days
What signals that a doe is receptive? What is not a useful tool?
Vulva is swollen, moist, and dark pink or red, lordosis, restlessness, chin rubbing. Vaginal cytology not helpful
Where should mating occur?
In buck’s cage, doe can be territorial
How many does can one buck service?
10-15 does
When do does ovulate? What percent fail to ovulate after mating?
10-13 hours after copulation (induced). 25% fail to ovulate
How can ovulation be chemically induced?
GRH, LH, hCG
When can does be bred after kindling?
Immediately, if foster mother nurses young
When can pregnancy be confirmed?
11d via radiographs, 14d via palpation
How do conception rates correlate with ambient temperature?
Inverse
How long is gestation? When will does start refusing a buck?
30-32 days. Refuse after 2-3 weeks
When do does start nesting? Where should the nesting box not be placed?
3-4 days before parturition, not placed in urination corner
How is pseudopregnancy induced? How long does it last, due to what structure? What signs are noted?
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.
How long does parturition take? When?
30-60 minutes in early morning
What signs precede labor in 2-3 days? (2)
Nesting and decreased food intake
What are normal positions for delivered kits?
Anterior and breech
Beyond what day of gestation are kits no longer viable? What is the risk of retained kits?
35 days, risk to future reproduction
On average, how many kits per litter? List average kits/litter for four breeds.
7-9 kits/litter on average. Polish < 4, Dutch and Flemish Giant 4-7, NZW 8-10
How many pairs of nipples does a doe have? When does mammary development occur?
4-5 pairs (males have none). Occurs last week of pregnancy
When do does nurse?
Once daily for several minutes
When is milk intake maximized? How long can nursing last, and when are kits typically weaned?
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.
