Almost time - first litter <Lucy 0, Mary 0>

[talchemist5]

ok, i have switched her old nestbox for the much better constructed sloped nest box. she didnt do anything but sit there calmly and once i finished she started sniffing it so she seems not to care.

 

[talchemist5]

as of this morning...nothing. lucy is just sitting calmly. the only change i have noted is since i refilled the water last night she has not drank much and was not intrested in this morning hay snack for everyone. maybe she will have some kitts soon, it is day 32.

the real suprise this morning is the personality of my other doe MAry. she was never friendly or brave even, but today she almost mugged me for a pet and some attention. as i tried to clean she wanted to play with what i was cleaning while i was trying. she has never done that...the closest she has gotten to that was she seemed more happy/friendly after her visist with Buck. i think she approves of the nest box i gave her this week.

 

[talchemist5]

man i cant stand uncertanty. they need little flags or status indicators like on a video game that says expecting

anyway it is now day 33 for Lucy. no changes, still ahppy and sistting there. guess we could still have some kitss but it is looking less like it.


today is also day 30 for MAry so i might have something with her too. she went tinto the nest box last night and cleaned a hole int he back of it.

if i dont get anything from lucy by tuesday she will be rebred next weeekend and since friday will be day 35 for MAry i guess i could rebreed them all if i get no success next sat/sun.

 

[rabbitgeek]

My American Blue does would wait until the eleventh hour of day 33.

I have tips on breeding scheduling and management on my website
http://www.rabbitgeek.com/breedingtips.html

Have a good day!
Franco Rios

 

[talchemist5]

well i just found a large dead kitt....it seems to be almost 5" from head to rear. it looked like there was a split in its skin on the underside and it was born on the wire....the nest box has fur in it now and she is still kinda large and panting so i am waiting incase she has more....i dont wanna try and dig through her box right now...i will watch from the window...i think i will give her a bottle with ice water in it now since it is over 70 today...and getting warmer.

 

[rabbitman]

well i just found a large dead kitt....it seems to be almost 5" from head to rear. it looked like there was a split in its skin on the underside and it was born on the wire....the nest box has fur in it now and she is still kinda large and panting so i am waiting incase she has more....i dont wanna try and dig through her box right now...i will watch from the window...i think i will give her a bottle with ice water in it now since it is over 70 today...and getting warmer.

Sorry for your lost. I had a kit die to. It froze to death so your lucky its getting warmer...

 

[CrimsonRose]

just keep an eye on her she may have more... then again with it being that large that might be it as well... if she is still acting labored with breathing and such I typically give them a slice of banana or apple to help give them some extra sugar and energy... helps perk them up after giving birth...

 

[talchemist5]

well i am hoping that since it was about 12-14 hours after her first breeding that i rebred her, maybe she has some that will be here later tonight, she still looks pregnant, she actually got nicely round. you was long and slinder when i got her....or i fed her too much.

i will stick with my plan that if she hasnt had more by 35 i will rebreed her next weekend.

 

[talchemist5]

ok time for round 2, Mary is really in overdrive with her nesting behavior. everytime i come by she almost mugs me to see if i brought her more straw for her nest and she bounds in iand out of the box excitedly.....i think she is really getting ready. if she tries to dig in it any harder she may start to shear the metal under the box...or at least she thinks so.

i hope Mary will have a healthy full litter. no matter what i am so excited.


now for Lucy, it is really sad to only get one dead kitt....but it at least proves that Buck isnt a total dud and she can conceive....i bread her first....before i added the lights while they were a little stressed over comming here...so i may have tried to early or without proper conditions. maybe this time will be the charm....i also know she pulls fur, makes a nest, and seems to kinda know what it is that she should do. i think since lucy has done nothing else i will rebread her tomorow....yesterday was day 35 so i just wanted to be sure.

 

[talchemist5]

ok, i guess thats it for my first attempts. Mary had 1 kitt born dead in the box. she built a big nest with lots of fur and she even had the kit inside....but it may have been to large(4.5" long) or something else.....i dont know.

did i do something wrong? did i breed them too early durring the winter and before i added the light to give them a steady light level? or while the buck was too cold? or is this genetic? is there a condition that could cause a buck to always have fetal giants? i had one 5+" kitt and one 4.5" kit from 2 different moms. could they have been to stressed from moving out here? i do see that they are much better around me now than then. could they be too fat? or could i have had a perfect storm of conditions?

for now i plan on rebreeding her tonight i guess? or should i wait till tomorow night for Mary? i rebred Lucy last night and Buck was feeling good...he tried 3 times spent a few minutes pounding his feet on the floor. after his third mating she got up and walked off. she didndt just lift her tail like the first time i mated them, she moved forward and lifted her entire hind in up like a cat does.

if anyone has any advice i would appretiate it.