Chickens farmin' journal

[Pastor Dave]

I have a doe that is pretty defensive with her litter. She growls and needs something to preoccupied her when I have to reach in her box. If that doesn't work, I have to come in from above her and not at her or she will box at me and maybe bite. I put my hand on her head or back, and then check the bunnies.
Now, she doesn't do this behavior all the time or I would be leery of keeping her. If I add in some straw when it's freezing, she gets the same way with my hand in there fluffing it up and the sound of the rustling. I have to keep my hand above her and come down on her, not reach in it at her level.
Hope this helps some.

 

[lcertuche]

You can't blame a mama protecting her babies. There ain't nothing meaner than a mama hen!

 

[Chickens]

this mornings sunrise after the storms

 

[Chickens]

I have a doe that is pretty defensive with her litter. She growls and needs something to preoccupied her when I have to reach in her box. If that doesn't work, I have to come in from above her and not at her or she will box at me and maybe bite. I put my hand on her head or back, and then check the bunnies.
Now, she doesn't do this behavior all the time or I would be leery of keeping her. If I add in some straw when it's freezing, she gets the same way with my hand in there fluffing it up and the sound of the rustling. I have to keep my hand above her and come down on her, not reach in it at her level.
Hope this helps some.

i have been in there every day since and she hasnt tried to bite anymore but i also give her some goodies before i go messing with the babies i checked on them a minute ago and a couple of them look like thier eyes are starting to open

 

[Latestarter]

Nice looking bunny, kits, kids and kid

 

[lcertuche]

Being her first litter she just is extra protective. I'm sure she realizes now that you mean them no harm.

 

[Chickens]

The kits are getting big they were 2 weeks old yesterday eyes are open and theyre not laying in the same bunny pile as they did when smaller got a really good look at them there's actualy 10 in the box all still fat and more wiggly than before. Im not sure how old they are when they start getting out of the box but im sure it wont be long my worries are thats its been in the mid 60s all week but they are calling for snow rain mix saturday and a high of 28° i hope they can adjust to the temp differences.... me and my 4 legged kiddos are off to the vet today.. updated pics on the way...

 

[lcertuche]

I'm sure Mama's fur will keep them warm. It sure has been a crazy weather year.

 

[Pastor Dave]

You generally see them getting in and out around two weeks.
Rule of thumb is to evict them by Day#18 so they don't get nest box eyes.
The materials in the box are usually pretty unsanitary by 18 days.
I generally put some straw in the corner the box was in and they gravitate toward it. They will keep each other warm and lay around mama to keep warm too.

 

[Chickens]

says my pictures are to large for the server to process