15% vs 18% Feed

[CDC]

Hey P.O. you aren't too far from me.

I am very new to this myself (just got my rabbits in early December and bred the first one on January 1st). I palpated the Doe at 12 days and I was pretty sure that I was able to feel the young. I tried to do it inside the cage but she would have none of it and I found it much easier to get her out and on a table. One thing I was surprised by is how far back on her tummy and how close to her spine I had to feel to find the young ones. They were very deep and very far back and pretty much just feel like little marbles. I wasn't sure I got it right but here I am with the first litter born so I guess I got it. Not sure if that is helpful at all but that is what worked for me.

 

[P.O. in MO]

Thanks CDC that was very helpful. From what you said I don't think I was far enough back or high enough up. I tried yesterday on a doe 15 days along and thought I felt something but wasn't sure, I tried again today but I couldn't feel anything. I will try again tomorrow and feel farther up and back and see if that is the secret. I have been doing it in the cage as I can get my shoulders thru the door and she is a little more calm if I don't pick her up. She was carrying hay around in her mouth when I fed tonite so I should be able to feel something. I have another doe just about far enough along to practice on so hopefully I can get this figured out. I would much rather be able to palpate than have to put her back in with the buck and then have to babysit them. And congratulations on your first litter.

 

[CDC]

Thanks.

I am going to breed my second doe in two weeks....we will see if I can palpate her...maybe I just got lucky the first time.

 

[jhough42]

Sounds like you are both on the right track. Yes, the fallopian tubes are very high until the end of gestation. As CDC said, right along the back bone. I usually start as close as I can to the back of the ribcage and go the whole length of the spine, above all the intestinal mass.

 

[CDC]

That is a much better explanation then I gave jhough. Thanks.

On another note, I saw that you are located pretty close to me. Have a safe day with the coming weather.

 

[jhough42]

That is a much better explanation then I gave jhough. Thanks.

On another note, I saw that you are located pretty close to me. Have a safe day with the coming weather.

Very close indeed! Do you do anything with arba events?

 

[CDC]

No. I just got into rabbits. Literally. I picked up Storey's Guide to Raising Rabbits the end of November, read a bunch of stuff on line, and bought 2 bucks and 2 does the middle of December. Bred the first one the 1st of January and had my first litter on Sunday. Total newbie.

 

[P.O. in MO]

Thanks for the added info jhough, I tried again today on the doe that is now 17 days along and on another that is 10 days, still no luck. I am going to keep trying everyday on the one 10 days along and see if I can get this done. Will try and get closer to her spine tomorrow. She doesn't seem to mind much, a little concerned while I am doing it but immediately forgotten when I turn her loose.

 

[jhough42]

The 17-day'er is going to be getting hard to find kits in. They're starting to get soft and indescript. Your 10-day doe should be great for the next few days if she's bred! Good luck!

 

[jhough42]

No. I just got into rabbits. Literally. I picked up Storey's Guide to Raising Rabbits the end of November, read a bunch of stuff on line, and bought 2 bucks and 2 does the middle of December. Bred the first one the 1st of January and had my first litter on Sunday. Total newbie.

There is a show in Anderson on 2/22. It would be a fantastic opportunity to meet some rabbit people and ask lots of questions from people who have been at this a while. Let me know if you want more info. There will also be one in Carthage later in the spring I believe...can't remember exactly when that club show is.