Yesterday Casco was due to kindle her 2nd litter this year, 8th overall. No tunnel in the nestbox, no fur pulled and I was beginning to wonder if we had another miss. But this morning 8 healthy kits. She pretty much has 8 every time--has had 7 and 9--just like her mother. At first when I heard about people having litters of a dozen or more I thought that was something to aim for. But I've decided that 8 or close to it is where we want to be. I think she made her nest further ahead when she kindled in early April. Are they apt to wait longer (and pull less fur) when it's warmer?
Anyway now we have her earlier litter of 8 and a 3 week old litter of 7 from a first timer and the other first timer (who kindled 8 and lost them all at day 4 or 5) due next week. And when we did a freezer inventory we have more rabbit in there than we need before the first litter goes to freezer camp. So this year I think 7 litters will be enough for what we want and if Fayette has a litter next week and doesn't lose it, then we can stop for the summer and breed the 3 does in the fall. Not the plan I started the year with, but one that will work.
Anyway now we have her earlier litter of 8 and a 3 week old litter of 7 from a first timer and the other first timer (who kindled 8 and lost them all at day 4 or 5) due next week. And when we did a freezer inventory we have more rabbit in there than we need before the first litter goes to freezer camp. So this year I think 7 litters will be enough for what we want and if Fayette has a litter next week and doesn't lose it, then we can stop for the summer and breed the 3 does in the fall. Not the plan I started the year with, but one that will work.
