Larsen Poultry Ranch
Herd Master
Ok, but what date was she moved to be by herself, no contact with the buck? Use that date.
Do rabbits pull out their hair in winter to keep warm?
- Thread starter Fuchsia
- Start date
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- #22
Fuchsia
Loving the herd life
She has always been by herself, but she has escaped a few times and went with the buck, and we don't know when that was though. We didn't think she would be pregnant because it was only for like less than a minute she was with him.
Jesusfreak101
Herd Master
i have a doe that makes a nest up to two weeks before she gives birth something to keep in mind.
Ridgetop
Herd Master
As long as she s not peeing or -pooping in the nest box, you can leave it in until December 8. That would be 2 weeks after your first post. If she is regnant she will probably kindle by then. Otherwise, figure she had a false pregnancy. No rush to remove the nest box as long as she isn't using it as a toilet.
As far as only being with the buck for a few minutes, that is all the time it takes for the back to mount a receptive doe and breed. If you are not used to breeding rabbits you might mistake it for play behavior.
As far as only being with the buck for a few minutes, that is all the time it takes for the back to mount a receptive doe and breed. If you are not used to breeding rabbits you might mistake it for play behavior.
- Thread starter
- #25
Fuchsia
Loving the herd life
He has gotten on her a few times, but I don't know how long ago that was.
If she does give birth what do we do for the babies in the cold?
Sorry for all the questions and stuff, this is our first year with rabbits.
Larsen Poultry Ranch
Herd Master
If they have a nest box, bedding material (I just use the same hay I give them to eat as the babies usually end up nibbling it later), and mom's fur then the babies will have all they need to keep warm.
Jesusfreak101
Herd Master
Since its her first time dont be to surprised if she lose several. Sometimes they get it right the first time and other times they dont. I had a doe who lost her first litter but she did great on all the others and I have a doe who rocked ever litter so it just depends on the doe. And as long as she pulls enough fur they should be fine. She will only feed twice a day so be aware of that as long as they have fat bellies we all good.
Ridgetop
Herd Master
Are the rabbits housed inside or outside? What are your temperatures?
Did you put a nest box inside the cage? It should have straw in it and she will pull hair from her belly to line it with. The babies will stay warm inside the nest with her hair over them. Of there are no babes yet, you can take out the hair she has pulled, add more straw, then put the hair back in the box.
If the cages are inside, the straw and hair should keep the babies warm enough in the nest box.
If it is very cold and the cages are not exposed to rain you can put a heat lamp to shine on the nest box for additional warmth. I use a clamp on construction light with an aluminum bowl cover and a standard 100 watt bulb. I just lay the light bowl cover on the cage with the bulb facing down over the top of the nest. I check it frequently to make sure the nest does not get too hot.
If the cages are hung outside and exposed, you can put tarps around them to cut down on wind and rain blowing into the cage. This also helps the rabbit's body heat keep the enclosed cage warmer.
Rabbits are more sensitive to heat than to cold. They can survive very cold temperatures, but not very hot ones, and do not like wind or rain blowing in on them.
Rabbits will kindle (give birth) in he nest box. However, if your rabbit does not and you can get to the kits before they die of exposure, you can collect them, warm them on a hot water bottle, and once they are warmed up replace them in the nest and the mother will take care of them.
Rabbits do not gather their babies into a nest like dogs and cats to keep them warm. Any bunnies not born in the nest (or placed there by you) will die of exposure "on the wire".
Rabbits do not stay in the nest with their babies or nurse them during the day. Do not worry if your rabbit seems to have abandoned her nest. She will return to feed her babies during the night.
This is how wild rabbits protect their young. They stay away from the nest area during the day, to avoid attracting predators. They only return at night to check the young and feed them. Wild rabbits abandon the nest and their young at around 1 month old. The doe has usually rebred and will produce another litter almost immediately after abandoning the nest of month old kits.
Did you put a nest box inside the cage? It should have straw in it and she will pull hair from her belly to line it with. The babies will stay warm inside the nest with her hair over them. Of there are no babes yet, you can take out the hair she has pulled, add more straw, then put the hair back in the box.
If the cages are inside, the straw and hair should keep the babies warm enough in the nest box.
If it is very cold and the cages are not exposed to rain you can put a heat lamp to shine on the nest box for additional warmth. I use a clamp on construction light with an aluminum bowl cover and a standard 100 watt bulb. I just lay the light bowl cover on the cage with the bulb facing down over the top of the nest. I check it frequently to make sure the nest does not get too hot.
If the cages are hung outside and exposed, you can put tarps around them to cut down on wind and rain blowing into the cage. This also helps the rabbit's body heat keep the enclosed cage warmer.
Rabbits are more sensitive to heat than to cold. They can survive very cold temperatures, but not very hot ones, and do not like wind or rain blowing in on them.
Rabbits will kindle (give birth) in he nest box. However, if your rabbit does not and you can get to the kits before they die of exposure, you can collect them, warm them on a hot water bottle, and once they are warmed up replace them in the nest and the mother will take care of them.
Rabbits do not gather their babies into a nest like dogs and cats to keep them warm. Any bunnies not born in the nest (or placed there by you) will die of exposure "on the wire".
Rabbits do not stay in the nest with their babies or nurse them during the day. Do not worry if your rabbit seems to have abandoned her nest. She will return to feed her babies during the night.
This is how wild rabbits protect their young. They stay away from the nest area during the day, to avoid attracting predators. They only return at night to check the young and feed them. Wild rabbits abandon the nest and their young at around 1 month old. The doe has usually rebred and will produce another litter almost immediately after abandoning the nest of month old kits.
