And... She's Done Mothering... Care until she Kindles again?

[TF3]

LOL
My FG mix doe has 10 6 week old kits.
I have a lady coming today from some distance to pick up 3-4, so I have been taking the doe out for longer periods this week.
The last 24 hours she was alone.

This morning I popped the 3 kits we are keeping in with her (thinking they'd all hang out while the buyer took their picks from the rest and if needed they could nurse, for the doe's sake).
Um, no.
She immediately ran them off and started cuffing and humping them.
So I guess that is settled.
(she is due again in 2 weeks)

I re-bred her earlier than planned as she was getting chunky.
Should I moderate her food more now for the last two weeks of pregnancy?
Her weight has improved.
Do I watch / check for mastitis etc. or assume she is good and done if she runs them off?

Thanks!

 

[katiebear]

Check to make sure there is no heat or hardness..other than that I'd say she is probably ok..6 weeks old is a bit young to sell off the little ones though. I worry about enteritis and even though I separate out my grow outs at 7 weeks..I have only had one poopy butt in my grow outs..most people wait until 8 weeks to sell...

 

[TF3]

Yes, it is earlier than I would like, but the buyer travelled 10 hours by car to get them and it was the only time she could make the trip,
so I held her off as long as I could and she is on board with care etc. for the next while given their age
~ it is part of living in Northern Ontario where distances are long and rabbits available are usually hours away.

 

[akane]

Most don't really agree with selling kits before 8weeks even if they wean early and I believe some states it's even illegal but they might all only apply to puppies and kittens. They should be watched for digestive problems and sometimes need to go on a bland diet of old fashioned oatmeal and grass hay while they adjust. The doe should be fine. She is getting ready to make milk suitable to a new litter. They usually want to wean them near that time and you just gave her a chance to go ahead and do it. If she is still borderline for weight and has a good coat I wouldn't feed her pellets free choice. If you feed hay I suggest lots of hay and controlled pellets until the kits come and then you can reconsider if she needs to go to free choice pellets. When the kits come out of the box you won't be able to control who gets pellets and who doesn't so you'll have little choice then.

 

[katiebear]

I can understand travel times, I live in nowhere Arizona, The nearest grocery store is 25 miles away. I know for some that doesn't seem like far but when you have to go on a major interstate with a lot of traffic to get there it really wears you out. I drove over an hour each way to get meat mutts too...
Please do not think I am chastising you..I was just saying that if the little ones get sick that could be bad for you and them. As long as your buyer is willing to release you from any liability it is up to them...

 

[TF3]

Thanks! I appreciate the concern!
I had the buyer sign off and gave her a sheet with the feeding info and a bag of pellets and a bottle of water to blend, hoping that would help keep them level.
Ideally kits will be staying 8 weeks and the rest of this litter are going to stick here until then

(I had no idea that there might be legislation about age of sale~ I don't think there is in Ontario, although it is rather amazing that some states do it! I know how important 8 weeks are to pups, so it makes sense that it apply to others!)

Thank you both for the info re. the doe.
I think she can cut back a little and I'll up her hay.
At the rate she pulled hair 6 weeks ago it is amazing how much her coat has come back, mind you we have had a long cold spring so the climate probably urged her to grow more fur LOL

 

[Zass]

It's illegal to sell, barter, or gift kits under 8 weeks in both Pennsylvania and New York. :yes: That would be my state and the nearest one to me.

There is a loophole for moving them in quantity in NY, groups of 6 or more, for agricultural purposes can be sold younger.

Since the lady is getting 3 or 4, it will probably be fine(especially with Akane's advice if anything goes wrong)
Selling them in groups like that is actually a lot better then selling just one.

Being a single pet bun is too stressful on a kit under 8 weeks, IMO, and avoiding that is probably the main purpose of the legislation.

As for care of the doe, she's probably doing wonderful already. :lol: She sounds like she's done with litter A, and simply getting ready for litter B. You did the right thing by not allowing her to get too plump.
Humping...hmm...I usually see that behavior in unbred does. If she's chin rubbing too, she may not have taken.
Can you palpate?
(It would be easy to feel the condition of her teats while your at it, although I don't normally check for mastitis at weaning, as it's not really common.)

 

[TF3]

I love that those states have done that!
If nothing else it would raise awareness.

I think I felt something while palpating.
But I say that with great uncertainty LOL
When I palpate my Rex cross doe (1/2 the size of the FG) I can tell, but it is harder on the big girl.
Last time I couldn't feel a thing all pregnancy in the FG and she gave birth to 11.
So, my judgment is suspect!

The FG buck is loose in the rabbitry and has shown no interest in her, and he walks around right under her (he loves the babies!) The buck beside her is also oblivious. Not sure signs, I know. But given that her second breeding session with the FG buck she was yelling at him (she was ticked and vocal... It was weird! I actually checked her over to see if she was injured) and non-compliant, so I'll spare him a test.

I'm in no rush, so I'll limit her food, and wait it out.
There has been a huge learning curve and I need to catch my mental breath anyway before next kindling(s).