The first rule in breeding rabbits is "don’t breed unless you are prepared to live with the consequences." That may mean finding homes for the bunnies, housing them yourself or, if you are so inclined, using them for meat animals. Angoras are generally sexually mature at six months of age. It is usually best not to breed them at that age but to allow them a few more months to finish growing themselves. They should, however, be bred by 12 months to avoid possible reproductive problems. The gestation period averages 31 days. Before breeding the doe should be groomed, plucked and cleaned – especially around her tail. She is then taken to the buck’s cage. A buck should NEVER be taken to the doe’s cage. A doe is too territorial to allow a buck in her cage without fighting. Once the doe has been introduced to the buck’s cage the mating occurs very quickly. Rabbit birth is referred to as "kindling". About five days before the expected kindling date reduce the feed slightly and place a nest box in the doe’s cage. The nestbox may be made of metal or wood and must be clean and sanitary. Several inches of clean bedding, such as straw, wood shavings or a combination of both should be put in the nestbox. The doe will use this bedding, along with wool she will pull from herself, to make a nest for her young. Known as kits. The average litter size is from five to seven kits. After kindling you should distract the doe with a treat while you check the nestbox. You will need to remove any dead kits and check that none have become entangled in the bedding or wool. It may be necessary the clip the wool in the nestbox into short pieces to prevent the kits from becoming entangled in the long strands. The mother will normally nurse her young once or twice a day for about five minutes. As long as the bunnies are together in the nest it is a pretty good indication that all is well with the litter. The kits will remain in the nestbox for about four weeks, at this time they will be able to hop in and out on their own. Occasionally, one of the kits may be accidentally brought out of the nest by the doe. You will have to replace it to the nestbox, as the doe has no way to physically move her babies. Once the babies are able to go in and out of the nestbox on their own, at about four weeks, you should permanently remove the box. Most kits are weaned by the time they are six weeks old, but many breeders will leave the babies with the mother until they are eight weeks old. At weaning the kits should be moved to a separate cage to grow – remember they should be free fed at this point. The mother can then recover from the litter and, if desired, rebred in two to four weeks.