Rabbits by Accident
Well-known member
I sold the other doe on December 8th. I believe she started the nest thing the day before yesterday which would have been the 26th.No ridicule here! Learning is good!
That is called a 'dewlap', and does develop it as they grow up and gain weight. Does will pull fur from it and their belly for their nests, but a dewlap is not a sign of pregnancy. I would bet the accidental time with the buck a while back has nothing to do with this, since she was too small to be ready. The other rabbit that was with her could have been a buck (has happened for people, before!). But, having two does in a cage together can also induce something called a false-pregnancy/pseudo-pregnancy. That is where the doe thinks she is pregnant, builds a nest (some even with fur) and everything, and yet produces nothing. How long ago did the other doe get moved out? That can give an idea of if it is a false-pregnancy, since those usually happen around 9-18 days, I think. An attempted breeding can also induce a false-pregnancy, and being 8 days ago, that could be about right for timing.
You should go ahead and put in a nest box for a doe showing these signs or one that is possibly pregnant. Kits on the wire is not a nice experience, and it won't hurt to have one in there!
I hope she has some sort of immaculate conception going on because I'd like some babies LOL
Liz