doe is kindling on the wire

[Ebers]

My big gray doe is kindling on the wire & a baby fell out on the floor... as far as I can tell it's the 1st one so I put it in the nest box & she jumps in the nest box & starts digging through the hay very aggressively. She hasn't pulled any fur & she's very nervous acting so I turned off the light & left her alone. She is a nz cross & the guy I got her from said she'd had 2 previous litters she lost the 1st litter but raised the whole 2nd litter which was 12 kits. Any advice would be appreciated thanks in advance

 

[Latestarter]

@Bunnylady @Samantha drawz @Pastor Dave @Pearce Pastures @frustratedearthmother ?

 

[samssimonsays]

Take baby away until she is done. It could potentially kill it if she digs on it. Just keep it warm somewhere on your body, heating pads have never worked for me. And hopefully when she is all done and the nest is made, when you check on the littles in there to count for dead ones slip it back in. This has usually worked for me but I had a very close relationship with all my does.

 

[samssimonsays]

It may have just come too quick and she panicked, she may have had a brain fart or she may not want it. Many things could be in play but I would keep it somewhere safe and warm until the kidding is over with and then attempt to slip it back in.

 

[frustratedearthmother]

I don't know nothing about birthing rabbits....

Sounds like Samantha has been there and done that before. Seems like good advice.

Hope it goes well!

 

[Ebers]

Ok I'll do that... she's the most tame doe I have, I try to pet them several times a day to keep them used to me & my scent as well as using it as a way to check their physical condition she's always waiting at the door of her cage for me

 

[samssimonsays]

That is great that she is so friendly. She knows your smell and I would just pet her back before you grab the kit to put back in the nest to be safe. With mine, it didn't matter. As long as my smell was on them when they went back in, she was fine. I could foster kits without worrying about their smells. Every doe is so different though. Good luck!

 

[Ebers]

What did you do to get em so used to you?

 

[samssimonsays]

I handled them often, gave treats, was able to cradle them on their backs and they were "trained" so that they did not kick or scratch and were very mild mannered. I raised French and Mini Lops so there is a difference but I also had a NZ White doe I could do anything to.

 

[Pastor Dave]

I agree with Samantha. The kit needs to stay warm until able to return to the nest box. If she truly had 12 in a previous kindle and raised them, she will surely pull hair for her nest(and know a little bit of what she is doing). I collect and store some in a crushed lime sack to use in case they don't line the nest.
I have a doe I purchased and had the breeder go ahead and have her bred for me because I didn't have a mature buck at the time. She was probably stressed with the move, learning the new environment, new feed, and me, etc. She had a reduced sized litter, but did raise them. The next time she had adjusted and had a larger litter and is doing fine now.
I also breed my does in pairs in case one has a large litter and another a small, I will try to add in some to the mother with the smaller litter and use her as a foster mother if she has proven well in the past.
Instinct should help your doe to do better in the future.