Cecotropes and stink-belly

[karebru]

One of my Silver Fox does (4-1/2 months old) has been depositing what I assume is cecotropes (small and wet - but not usually clustered.) under her cage ever since I got her a couple moths ago. Some stick to the wire. Most drop through. She eats the same feed as the others, and continues to gain weight and is now a little heavier than the buck, born on the same day. (Normal. Right?) As far as I can tell, she is healthy. I see in other threads that cutting back on, or removing her pellets might help. Would straight alfalfa hay be the way to go for a while?
It might be totally unrelated, but her whole underside is sticky with urine. I think she pees on her resting pad and lays in it. I was thinking of setting her down in a couple inches of warm water with a little soap to see if I can clean her up. She's stinky, but she's kinda my favorite. :roll:

 

[ladysown]

in my herd I wouldn't even dream of breeding that rabbit.... poor personal care habits is "ICK" in my book AND a potential digestive issue (screams problems down the road). BUT everyone is different in what they want.

BUT I'd remove her resting pad and move her to a clean cage so she will hopefully break that habit.

It also gives you a chance to see if it is her peeing on her resting pad and laying in it OR if it's something else completely like a health related issue (going along with those odd poops).

I'd put her on a grass hay rather than an alfalfa hay to see if that clears things up.

 

[karebru]

in my herd I wouldn't even dream of breeding that rabbit.... poor personal care habits is "ICK" in my book AND a potential digestive issue (screams problems down the road). BUT everyone is different in what they want.

Well, I'm new at this and not ready to blame "Josie" just yet. I might be the problem.

BUT I'd remove her resting pad and move her to a clean cage so she will hopefully break that habit.

It also gives you a chance to see if it is her peeing on her resting pad and laying in it OR if it's something else completely like a health related issue (going along with those odd poops).

I'd put her on a grass hay rather than an alfalfa hay to see if that clears things up.

I've had the resting pad right in the back corner of her cage, covering the opening to the under-mounted nest box. Mechanically, it works out great, but they tend to pick a corner to use as a toilet, don't they? :slap:
I moved the pad to the center of her cage. If she keeps going on the pad, I'll know it's about the pad and not it's location.
I'll also try to clean her up one morning next weekend so she's dry by night fall. (Not that it gets cold here at night in the middle of June.)
Call it, "Bunny rehab"... Giving her a head start at staying clean. 8)

I'm probably feeding way too much protein at this point. Especially to my bucks. My buns run in age from a 7-1/2 month old buck, to a 3 month old doe. I've been feeding a mixture of 16% and 18% pellets. Also leafy alfalfa, to everyone. They also get "treats" in the form of rolled oats... About a teaspoon a day.
I guess I should save the mixed pellets and alfalfa for breeding time, and get a bag of straight 16%. I already have a bale of timothy. They don't seem to like it as much as the alfalfa but, too bad. :? I'll let Josie finish what's in her feeder, and just give her timothy for a while.
Maybe this will all help.
Wadaya think?

 

[katiebear]

With the pellets being alfalfa base you really don't need to feed alfalfa hay as well..that is a lot of legume...could be the cecotrope overproduction is due to this. I would definitely switch to a grass hay. If she is peeing in the nest box area then you may be in for some trouble when she has babies...you don't want her to pee in the nest. If you can try a shelf for her to rest on. I have never had a doe pee or poop on her shelf. Now the bucks...well lets just say I have a king of poop mountain :x .....
Just a tip for overall health put apple cider vinegar in the water..2 Tbs. per gallon...

 

[karebru]

Thanks, katiebear.
I've been thinking for a while that I need to do something better to cover the nest. Maybe a removable raised platform. She's gonna be big. I'm guessing that a shelf centered in and 18" high cage would be to tight to give her usable space both above and below.
I've been giving them vinegar. It's just the cheap store brand that I use for cooking, though. Wouldn't hurt to pick up a bottle of the good stuff.
I know some horses that will enjoy the left over alfalfa.

 

[FourRingCircus]

Thanks, katiebear.
I've been thinking for a while that I need to do something better to cover the nest. Maybe a removable raised platform. She's gonna be big. I'm guessing that a shelf centered in and 18" high cage would be to tight to give her usable space both above and below.
I've been giving them vinegar. It's just the cheap store brand that I use for cooking, though. Wouldn't hurt to pick up a bottle of the good stuff.
I know some horses that will enjoy the left over alfalfa.

You can splurge on a bottle of the "good stuff" (Braggs) and add a little to the store bought stuff... let it sit for a couple of weeks and it will grow more of the mother in it. A good way to save some money. I have been going through a LOT of ACV lately!