Many of you know of our doe Midnight. We had tried to breed her back in February, but she wasn\'t interested. We tried again March 8th and are pretty sure we have kits on the way. Her hutch has a built in nest box/shelter. Over the last week she has taken all the hay from the floor of her hutch and crammed it into her nest box. Believing she is preparing a nest, I added more hay so she had some on the floor of her cage. That too went into the nest box. It is now over flowing with hay. When I reach into the nest box, it is packed full except for a nice hollow area. No fur lining, but I don\'t expect that till she is real close to delivery - which is about two weeks. Does this sound familiar to anyone?
This does indeed sound like nest building activity. Does will often prepare the initial nesting area early on (if they have the place and materials to do it). Watch, however, that she doesn\'t go to town pulling fur this weekend. In that case, I would suspect pseudo pregnancy. If a doe is experiencing a psuedo pregnancy, she typically will begin pulling a significant amount of fur on about day 17 or 18 post breeding. If this time-frame passes without significant fur pulling, then it is likely she is truly pregnant.
Good luck with Midnight.
Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com
So far Midnight has not begun pulling any fur. Though her new thing is that only my husband can pet her. She\'ll let me reach in to feed her, but if I attempt to pet her, she lunges. I know parrots get possesive of their person when they are in season. Are rabbits the same way? Has Midnight adopted my husband as her person?
Some female rabbits do become aggressive when they want bred.It may also be she has you intimidated and your husband doesnt show fear.some rabbits have cage aggression which means they are protecting there territory and are not aggresive out of the cage.bluebird
Well, at least it looks as though Midnight isn\'t experiencing pseudopregnancy. Does can get suddenly testy if they want to get bred, or as the maternal hormones start to kick in.
Do you know an experienced rabbit breeder that could palpate Midnight for you? At this stage, if she is pregnant, it would be actually more difficult to palpate fetuses than it would have been a week ago, but you\'d very likely be able to tell if her uterus was empty.
I always encourage folks to learn how to palpate. It really isn\'t that difficult. It is much preferred over test mating with a buck as some does will breed again when pregnant and some does will refuse the buck even if they aren\'t. Palpation is also useful for detecting abnormalities in the abdominal cavity, retained fetuses, impactions, etc.
Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com
There is another rabbit bredderhere on the farm but I don\'t believe he knows how to palpate either. He is an older gentleman how breeds strictly for meat. I do know her belly is rounder, if that\'s any sign. Last round she had 5 kits so I am expecting about the same number this time.
She has gotten better about me petting her. My husbad was with me a few times I went to her and now it seems to be ok.
I\'ll keep you posted on our girl. Thanks for all the advice.
Midnight is probably pregnant. Glad she is warming up to you again.
Charlcie