First time mommas?

[Prairiechick]

I swear they are dumb as rocks sometimes. I had a year old doe have her first litter this week. She started with 5, but we are down to 2. First, she didn't pull fur. Luckily, I had some from another doe who about makes herself naked every time she kindles. Then a while after I put that in, she pulled some more. Then, she pulled it all out of the nest box. I put it back in, and she pulled it out. Then the kits started getting out on the wire too. I put a heat lamp on for a couple of days and hopefully they are started alright and will survive despite their mothers stupidity or lack of instinct. I didn't need a big litter for meat, I am looking to get some other breeders and some for my kids to show this summer. It is not happening as I planned. I have an older litter about ready to process. They weighed right around 3 pounds at 7 weeks, a couple over and a couple under. I will weigh them again once my new scales arrive.

 

[Rose N Lynne Farm]

I think it depends on the doe. I had a first time momma and she raised all 7 kits, and didn't lose a single one.

Give her another chance, but if she looses the babies again I'd either sell or cull her.

 

[Citylife]

I am sorry you have had this loss. I do know exactly how you feel. Unfortunately I think we all suffer loss's with rabbits.
Mothering skills are of big importance to me as my first round of rabbits were ok at best. I suffered through for a couple years
and had more demand then I had rabbits. I made a hard choice and totally changed breeds. I was fortunate to get amazing
1st time mothers and that is what I breed for. Great mothers with large litters.
I would rebreed her also. They do not always get it right the first time. If they don't get it right by 3 they go to freezer camp.
I wish you success with your venture.
Hope these two little ones survive.

 

[secuono]

Don't blame the rabbit, most first time does loose their litter, it's normal. Unless you bought her from a well known breeder who always has excellent first time moms, don't expect that from other rabbits.

Many people pair breedings, first time doe and a pro, that way the other doe can help out the new doe.
If the kits are two weeks old and the mom is in good weight, go ahead and rebreed her and try again. Most people give a doe 3 strikes before selling or eating her.

If she is dstroying the nest, keep it in the house and only bring it out to feed 2x a day. Sit there and watch to make sure she only feeds them. Early morning and late evening.

 

[GLENMAR]

I am having the same issue. I have 4 bred right now. All first timers. One is on day 31. She keeps throwing her next box bedding everywhere. I am checking on her several times a day and night. Two others are on day 28. One of those has pulled hair, but not enough if I need to use it for another one. The last one is on day 24. I am going to loose sleep over trying to keep these litters alive. I really want these bunnies.

 

[DianeS]

Like secuono said, if your doe is willing to nurse but is destroying the next or has other between-feedings problems, just remove the nestbox (with the kits still in it). Store the nestbox with kits indoors, and bring it out to the mom twice a day. Mom will jump in and nurse the kits to relieve the milk pressure. Five or 10 minutes later after mom jumps out and is finished nursing, take the box and kits back inside again.

There are decent substitutes for mom's hair if one doe doesn't pull enough - cotton balls pulled into small pieces, or dryer lint pulled into small pieces, are the best. Soft, hold in warmth, absorbent, and too small to get tangled around the kits and harm them. Its a good idea to keep some on hand for emergencies so you don't worry about fur.

 

[Prairiechick]

She is doing fine now, it was those first couple of days. I have had rabbits for a few years now, but still sort of new to the Cals. I have an older MR who has had every litter on the wire. Her daughter is the best mommy ever though. I am not even considering getting rid of that Cal though and she will get re-bred in 3 weeks. I will need to have a litter for my kids to show and with just two, I don't think that re-breeding will be an issue for any of them. The two left have some smutty coats too. I guess the humidity in the garage is just too high right now. It would figure since I still have ducklings brooding in there because we are getting yet MORE snow tonight. What an awful mess we have this year. I can't even say Spring because it is nowhere in sight yet.

It is just the trials and tribulations of breeding livestock. I have a few I just call Murphy since the "law" will likely strike them since they are the best ones here.