How much to feed pregnant doe?

[Ariel72]

Should my doe have free choice pellets now that she is expecting? She already gets free choice grass hay. She is a NZ/Californian cross.

 

[Mea]

Should my doe have free choice pellets now that she is expecting? She already gets free choice grass hay. She is a NZ/Californian cross.

No. Give her the usual ration until she has her kits. Then increase her feed as the kits get bigger. Otherwise she will put on a lot of internal fat... and that will made it more difficult when she kindles.

 

[Ariel72]

Ok...thanx!

 

[brentr]

Is this doe dry, or is she nursing a litter while pregnant? If the latter, I'd up her feed ration a bit. Storey's Guide to Raising Rabbits suggests increasing feed to about 1.25x starting on about day 18 or so (even if not nursing a litter). I do that with my does and I haven't had any weight issues with my does (NZ and Cali).