RichinOregon
Member
I have a 1 1/2 year old doe that has had 3 litters. The first 2 litters were the best survival ratios we ever had out of all of our does. Every single kit survived first 2 litters. We had a litter of 8, 5 days ago. 10 hours after discovery the litter I found 6 dead. They had full bellies, but they were very hot when I picked them up. The temperature outside was 64 degrees. No injuries were present on any of the 6 kits. 2 days later I found another kit dead. This one was cold which is what I would expect to find if a kit was dead. This morning I saw Mom in the kindling box so I decided to go look in on the last survivor. I was astonished to find the front feet gnawed off to the body. Kit was still alive with full belly. I did notice over the last five days that mom was in the kindling box a dozen times or more a day, and that was counting the times I looked in on her, I am sure she was in more often then that I just did not observe it. I have raising meat rabbits for 2 1/2 years so I kind of know the procedure that happens with kindling and nursing. I am usually lucky if I see mom with the kits 2 times a week. They like to keep away from them unless it is time for feeding.
Can anyone help? I am ready to cull mom because really never want to go thru this again. I am perplexed and upset about this. I had to put the baby out of her misery. Is mom a changed doe or is there something else going on here?
Can anyone help? I am ready to cull mom because really never want to go thru this again. I am perplexed and upset about this. I had to put the baby out of her misery. Is mom a changed doe or is there something else going on here?