1st time Holland doe delivering right now! Help!

[MamaMandy]

Ok, I've raised rabbits for years and they always deliver at night all on their own. I've got a first time mama trying to deliver this afternoon. She just had one stillborn that I had to pull out of her. It seemed to be quite stuck. She wasn't in the nest box when she had him and was sitting on him so I pulled him on out. He was breech (not sure if that's typical or not) and was caught at the neck. The afterbirth delivered immediately. She's now lying there panting. I hope she doesn't have trouble with the rest of them. I'm staying close and keeping an eye on her. Pray we don't lose the whole litter!

 

[MaggieJ]

It's upsetting when things don't go smoothly at kindling time. Many does kindle at night, but not all. It may go smoothly enough now the first kit is out. I don't know much about Hollands... are they subject to kindling problems? Fingers crossed the kits arrive safely and that momma is fine too.

 

[skysthelimit]

hollands are very subject to kindling problems. holland one had two litters--three all dead, second-- one live one dead. Holland two had three litters, first--four dead over two days, second--I pulled out six dead kits even after she passed the first one (dead) on her own, third--five beautiful kits.


Watch this doe, stay with her if you can. I had to pull all of the kits out. I'm sure if I had left her, she'd be dead.

 

[MamaMandy]

It's now been an hour and a half since she had the first one and she's still lying there. Doesn't seem to be in labor. How long should it take for her to deliver them all? Do they typically deliver pretty rapidly? Her belly is still huge...there have to be more kits in there. I think I felt one move so maybe all is not lost?

 

[skysthelimit]

It's now been an hour and a half since she had the first one and she's still lying there. Doesn't seem to be in labor. How long should it take for her to deliver them all? Do they typically deliver pretty rapidly? Her belly is still huge...there have to be more kits in there. I think I felt one move so maybe all is not lost?

yes, usually all in 20 minutes or less. give some lavender or tums if you have it, and watch her close. those for the first time my two did deliver dead kits two different days.

 

[MamaMandy]

Lavender in what form? Would massaging her belly help?

 

[MaggieJ]

The lavender buds, fresh or dried, are most effective, from what I have read. Just as you would harvest it for drying.

 

[MamaMandy]

Ok, thanks! I really don't want to lose this doe. I was feeling her belly and I thought I felt a kit move but I'm not positive. I wish there was a way to help her more!<br /><br />__________ Thu Jun 07, 2012 6:38 pm __________<br /><br />Well, she finally ate the afterbirth from the first one so maybe that will help get things moving along. I felt her again and there is definitely another kit in there, didn't feel it move this time though. Do you think it would traumatize her too much to move her and the nest box into the house so I can keep a better eye on her? I don't want to cause more harm than help.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I would be tempted to bring her inside too, but I think it would be better to leave her alone for about half an hour, and then peek in on her again. Stress can interrupt labor, and having a stuck kit and then your help delivering it could have done just that. As Skysthelimit cautioned you though, don't leave her for too long, since your help may be needed. You could also settle yourself down in the rabbitry with a book or something to keep you quietly occupied so as not to leave her alone at all.

 

[MamaMandy]

That's exactly what I was thinking...having 8 children myself I know that stress can definitely stall labor. I'm sure it was traumatizing for her to have me pull that baby out! I'll give her some space and just keep checking on her. Thanks to all of you! I'll keep you posted on her progress.

 

[trinityoaks]

Wow! Bless y'all's hearts! Praying all goes well for you and your doe.

I've been shying away from Hollands for this very reason.

 

[MamaMandy]

She's now in the nest box scratching around and grunting. What do you think the chances are that the remaining kits inside her are alive?

Thanks trinityoaks. I didn't realize they were this prone to problems. I've always had Netherlands and of course had the occasional peanut, but never anything like this!

 

[skysthelimit]

She's now in the nest box scratching around and grunting. What do you think the chances are that the remaining kits inside her are alive?

Thanks trinityoaks. I didn't realize they were this prone to problems. I've always had Netherlands and of course had the occasional peanut, but never anything like this!

yes took me three tries for a live litter. the chances are not good, but all is not lost. it has turned out ok for some in the past. just keep hope until it is absolutely over.

 

[MamaMandy]

Thanks sky...I'll let you all know what happens.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Yay! Progress! I bet you'll have some kits soon! I think you may have caught her in time earlier when you helped her birth the kit, so hopefully the rest will be fine. Good luck!

P.S. congrats on having 8 kids of your own- that is wonderful! I have three, and they are so amazing I wish I had a bunch more myself.

 

[MamaMandy]

Thanks MamaSheepdog. Children are absolutely the biggest blessing in life.

Well, Ivory had 2 more stillborn kits on the wire last night. I was there so I know they were born dead. I was hoping maybe that was all but I felt her and I'm sure there's at least one more. My oldest son, who shares the hobby with me, and I stayed up for a long time with her but she never delivered. I checked her this morning and she seems to be acting fine but no baby! What in the world...

It was a rough evening for my son (he's only 10). As I discovered the stillborn babies, he was inside feeding his hamster and discovered it had died. Talk about horrible timing...he was pretty upset with all that death at once. I really don't have much hope for the last baby bunny inside her but it would be awesome if it were born alive!

 

[skysthelimit]

I very sorry. Hollands are a bit hard to get started with. It may take two or three, or even four tries to get a successful litter from your doe.

 

[MamaMandy]

Well, since I posted last she had 4 more stillborn babies making 7 in all! No wonder she looked huge! It took her 3 days to have them all...3 the first day, then 2 the next, then the last 2 today. I've never heard of it taking so long. She seems fine though! She's eating and drinking and acting totally normal. Do I need to worry about mastitis or anything like that? Also, do you think it's wise to try to breed her again? I don't want to risk her life if it takes this long next time. If it is ok to try again, how long do I wait? She obviously needs and deserves a rest after all this trauma...poor girl. Thank for any input you all might have.