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WildWolf

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Ok, I'm a little nervous, and really excited, because I'm going to have my first litter in 2ish weeks. This litter will be the doe's first, and my first, so that's why I'm nervous. The doe is in a huge hutch and run, and I can access everything in case she decides to forgo the beautiful nest boxes I provided.
When do you remove the nest box completely? Please give me more tips/advice! This is what I have so far:

*after the doe is pregnant, start increasing feed slowly
*give the doe a nest box 3-7 days before due date (day 28) or when she starts carrying hay or digging (too soon, and she might soil it)
*some does eat less/ don't eat a couple days before kindling
*doe pulls fur 12hrs-2days before kindling
*on day 8 or 9 or 10, replace nest box lining. reuse as much fur as possible
*day 13, kits eyes should all be opened
*up until day 13, no kits should be outside nest
*day 21-28 (earlier in the summer, later in the other seasons) remove nest box and clean
*clean the nest box as soon as the kits are out
*in the wild;weaned at 4wks. Wean when no older than 6-7wks
*when weaning, leave the littlest ones in after removing the bigger ones, so the doe drains her milk
*separate bucks from does at 8-12 wks
 
WildWolf":z1u5uio3 said:
Thanks! But when should I remove the nest box completely? After they're weaned?
I remove the nestbox [Weather permitting]
as soon as they are running around the cage with Mamma,
about three or four Weeks. I then remove and clean the box
preparing for its next use.
Ottersatin. :eek:ldtimer:
 
I remove the nesting box after they are weaned...since they aren't in there anymore.

After I find out the doe is pregnant I don't start increasing feed until the kits are born. Then she's put on a non stop eating program. What works for me may not work for others.

Yep about when to put the nesting box in.

Yep all the way up till kits outside box. I've had kits jump out the box at day 10....couldn't even see but they had jumped over the 5" lip. Guess they used each other as a ladder. It was snuggled up next to mom. Fortunately it was warm outside and not winter.

Yep all the way up till the last one and I used to do that to. I stopped separating them this go around just because they are dead by 12 weeks sooooo...I'm just not going through the trouble since I won't be keeping any..alive.
 
Each doe is different from one another and every kindle can be different. I have a doe that usually pulls fur 1-2 days before kindling and this last go she rushed around with hay in her mouth and pulled fur 2 weeks before kindling. Then pulled more right before kindling. It had me a bit confused, but she did a great job so no worries in the long run.

I also don't increase feed until they kindle, then it is free feed for them, until weaning. Then the mammas go back to regular feeding again.

You do seem to have all the basics down. Hopefully she has a large litter and does a great job. Good luck!
 
it looks like you have the basics. Just remember some does will not pull any fur until after they have given birth.
I have a doe that almost never pulls any fur for several hours after she has kindled.
then all of a sudden her nest box looks like she had a fur explosion.
I take the box out when the bunnies stay out with mom.

I do not wean them slowly. I take all bunnies from mom on the same day. I have never had any problems with doing this.
and I do not separate them as I butcher them at week 9 or 10. however my next batch will be butchered at week 12 to see if there is any noticeable difference.
 
Thanks!! I think I would only wean slowly if there was a particularly large litter, or a runt. But my doe is in a colony set up, and I've decided that the doelings will stay in the colony until they are sold/butchered, since I have a huge amount of space.
I feed naturally, with no pellets. Would that make a difference in deciding whether or not to increase the doe's food before she kindles? I definitely start adding more dandelions when she's close to kindling.
 
hi I have just got the courage to put the doe in with the buck about a week ago how long does it take to pick up on signs of pregnancy thanks
 
do not increase feed when the doe is pregnant. No need to do so. Increase AFTER she has kindled. What I do is triple the amount offered, but that's what I find works for me.

People vary when they give the nestbox. I give when they ask for it til three days before due. (then they get it regardless). :)

I tip the box when two weeks old, sometimes earlier in the summer. The kits will huddle in the nestbox just fine.

If I have the space I wean at four weeks of age, otherwise... whenever I have the room. I usually budget to have room available by eight weeks of age. :)

I don't remove dirty bedding unless it is VERY dirty OR wet (if wet I change it out). I simply tip the box at two weeks and remove dirty bedding at that time. I DO NOT have an increase in nestbox eye. My focus was on breeding it out and have for the most part successfully done so.

Some does DO NOT pull fur until After they kindle. SAVE all dry fur, particularly from does who overpulled fur or who unsuccessfully kindled. You will need it at some point. :)
 
ange86":o30znnrk said:
hi I have just got the courage to put the doe in with the buck about a week ago how long does it take to pick up on signs of pregnancy thanks

Hi Ange86!

:welcome: to RabbitTalk. :)

You can try palpating her abdomen at around nine days- the babies will feel like grapes in her belly.

I hope you haven't left her with him all week? You should only leave her in the cage long enough that he breeds her... and that only takes a few minutes usually.

I think this thread might be helpful to you:

judging-a-doe-s-readiness-and-breeding-tips-t9869.html
 
hi n thanks for the advise no she is in her own cae but I didn't see if e got her as I washed my pots n left them to it
 
I have another question: Can you leave nests boxes in (without the bedding) even after they are weaned, or even when no does are pregnant? I have a colony of does, and the nest boxes would make great hidey holes too- they are all long boxes.

Also, an update: Tomorrow is her day 28!!!!!! So far she has burrowed/spread the dried grass she has for nesting materials... she hasn't carried it around in a grassstache yet :)
 
LOL - just a bit into the research phase, eh? :p If leaving wooden nest boxes in place, I find that a good cleaning when totally emptied out from the kits, with a couple of days in the sun for UV sterilization, helps the kits learn to do without the box. I have several does that enjoy the nest box and will even pad it with a bit of hay if offered. At that time, I refresh the hay each week. I also sprinkle a bit of some poultry lice/mite powder over the hay.
 
Research phase? Uh well... maybe... for the past year! :oops: I'm afraid I know more facts about rabbits than my experience should allow... :roll:

Thanks!! I will definitely remove them and clean them before putting them back. Since they are in a colony set up, I think the does will just use the old nestbox as a hidey hole.
 
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