Our rabbit that has bred successfully before has the past two times not pulled fur and had her babies out of the box. This last litter she chewed the babies up and even ate one! She didn't have any milk. What could cause this? How can we prevent this? We have lost two litters. Could it be the heat?
To be honest- she's not a great mother.
I've never had these problems but Id do this:
If the does is not a year old, wait until she's 1 1/2 years old. She may need time to fully mature as a responsible mother.
Also, if you can, let her roam- not in a cage. (The first time my doe had a litter she didnt do a good job on preparing for her litter. So I took the babies out of the cage in their nest box and set them in a dark corner surrounded by stuff in my room. I pulled out some fur from her belly and set it in the box. Used vanilla on her nose when I wanted to pet the kits. They grew to be healthy. Her second litter she did an awesome job
And she was kept outside of her cage- free roam in my room.)
So she may feel insecure in her cage or something of that sort?
Also, Ive heard of breeders who have owned friendly does, yet they were kit killers. They tried it a couple time, mother rejected kits every time. So they used her stricly as only a show bunny/non breeder! Your bun may not be into the whole "kit thing"
thanks for the assist.
my wife was the one asking. This litter is the first litter for this doe. she is probably the best one as far as being handled by people. she has been handled since she was about 2 days old, every day. she is now about 9 months. This doe did not have her kits in the box, but on the cage, during the heat of the day.
I was not expecting her to drop for a few more days. due to the heat index, we have loaded momma and babes up and brought them inside where it is a bit cooler.... I can not get any milk from her, she dropped 7, 5 still live. I am hoping that she is giving enough to feed the kits, she is spending time in the nest with the kits....
most of my does give 12 kits, and can handle 8 ( one can tend to 9 )
we have lost 3 of the last 4 litters, none of which were birthed in the nesting boxs (4 different doe's) the last litter is still alive and in the house.)
one doe is just over a year and half old, and has given 3 litters,
one is just over 2 years and given 4 litters,
one is 9 months and given one
one is 9 months and given one.
again,
I appreciate the information...
mean while will try to keep them cool when they are due....
mike
Mike,
Since you're primarily talking about a 1st time mom, it's not at all uncommon for them to not do as well with the 1st litter.
I'm sure the doe is doing ok on the milk issue or you'd be having babies dropping like flies as they usually don't live very long if not being nursed. Newborns will die by 3 days old. However, if a doe just doesn't have enough milk as the kits start getting bigger then you will start losing them between 2-3 weeks of age, generally. Usually 1-2 at a time. Giving the Calf Manna I suggested would fix that problem in the future.
If the older does have a history of not having kits in nestbox (say 50% or more of their litters), then I would not continue to use them for breeding as bad/ good mothering instinct is hereditary.
Also, make sure the area where you house the pregnant/nursing does is free from threat by predators like dogs,cats, coons, etc. because this can make a doe panic and do things she wouldn't if she felt safe.
If you have any questions in the future, please feel free to ask.
Pat Carroll's Half Pint Rabbitry
http://www.carrollshalfpints.weebly.com