Autumnarcher
Well-known member
Had 2 of 3 does that were preg. kindle today, or last night. Out of 18 kits, 11 are dead. Doe 1, a Californian, 3 rd litter, I found 4 dead and a piece of another in the front part ofthe nest box, and 6 doing well in the fur ball.
Doe 2, by far my best doe, a NZ Red, I found 7 kits dead. She usuallly pulls fur immediately before she kindles. I saw fur in the nest this morning when I fed, but didnt disturb her, although I could see the nesting was flat, and didnt appear there were any kits yet. Tonight wehn I fed I pulled the nest box out and found all 7 mashed down in the straw,dead. Her last litter was 10. I don't know if she ate any others, but didnt find any sign that she had.
Prior to that, I lost a litter when the doe built her fur ball nest on the wire, and they crawled out and froze, lost 7 that time.
Another doe, who Ive since culled, killed and ate herlast 2 litters.
I have one other who is due tommorrow, her first litter.
needless to say, Im frustrated to say the least. Here is my routine, feel free to pick it apart, or offer any suggestions or advice. I dont know what the deal is at this point, but Im tired of losing kits.
I have 4 breeding does, 2 Cali's, a NZR and NZW. All rabbits are in 36x30 cages, in an outside shed. Its well ventilated in summer,lattice sidewalls. In winter its got plastic sheeting over the lattice, good air flow but not drafty. air flow gets in via the eaves.
Food is hay in am, 16% pellets( 5-6 oz) and hay in the evening. Once they kindle, I put them on 18% pellets, free feed until kits are weaned, then back to normal routine. all are healthy.
Temps last night were in the teens, and low 30's today. Nest boxes are lined with cardboard on th bottom over top of the wire bottom, then straw. I put the boxes in 5 or 6 days ago, and give them lots of straw.
Is there someting missing in the diet that would make them eat the kits? Is it too cold to breed in the winter without the kits freezing? The 6 that are alive are plenty warm under the furball. The one that really baffles me is my Red doe. Shes usually an awesome mother, and Ive never had an issue with her. Her kits are always tucked into thfurball nicely, and well fed. These were scattered all over the nest, and I suspect she sat on them and smothered them.
Normally, when not due to have kits, there is no nest box in the cages. Should I keep one the cages during winter months?
Im at a loss at this point, if this keeps up, I'm gonna get rid of everything,its just not cost effective to keep feeding and breeding and wind up with next to nothing. Help!
Doe 2, by far my best doe, a NZ Red, I found 7 kits dead. She usuallly pulls fur immediately before she kindles. I saw fur in the nest this morning when I fed, but didnt disturb her, although I could see the nesting was flat, and didnt appear there were any kits yet. Tonight wehn I fed I pulled the nest box out and found all 7 mashed down in the straw,dead. Her last litter was 10. I don't know if she ate any others, but didnt find any sign that she had.
Prior to that, I lost a litter when the doe built her fur ball nest on the wire, and they crawled out and froze, lost 7 that time.
Another doe, who Ive since culled, killed and ate herlast 2 litters.
I have one other who is due tommorrow, her first litter.
needless to say, Im frustrated to say the least. Here is my routine, feel free to pick it apart, or offer any suggestions or advice. I dont know what the deal is at this point, but Im tired of losing kits.
I have 4 breeding does, 2 Cali's, a NZR and NZW. All rabbits are in 36x30 cages, in an outside shed. Its well ventilated in summer,lattice sidewalls. In winter its got plastic sheeting over the lattice, good air flow but not drafty. air flow gets in via the eaves.
Food is hay in am, 16% pellets( 5-6 oz) and hay in the evening. Once they kindle, I put them on 18% pellets, free feed until kits are weaned, then back to normal routine. all are healthy.
Temps last night were in the teens, and low 30's today. Nest boxes are lined with cardboard on th bottom over top of the wire bottom, then straw. I put the boxes in 5 or 6 days ago, and give them lots of straw.
Is there someting missing in the diet that would make them eat the kits? Is it too cold to breed in the winter without the kits freezing? The 6 that are alive are plenty warm under the furball. The one that really baffles me is my Red doe. Shes usually an awesome mother, and Ive never had an issue with her. Her kits are always tucked into thfurball nicely, and well fed. These were scattered all over the nest, and I suspect she sat on them and smothered them.
Normally, when not due to have kits, there is no nest box in the cages. Should I keep one the cages during winter months?
Im at a loss at this point, if this keeps up, I'm gonna get rid of everything,its just not cost effective to keep feeding and breeding and wind up with next to nothing. Help!
