compliant does

[avdpas77]

I should palpate my does, I guess, but I don't much remember how to do it any more.. and truth be told... I'm just too lazy. I usually breed 3 or 4 does at a time...so I have 1/3 to 1/2 of my does kindling on an alternating schedule so I have room in my grow-out pens.

I have found that at least two of my senior does will "make bones" and build a nest (and sometimes pull a bit of fur) when I put the nestbox in even if they aren't bred. (This is at 4 weeks, not two weeks like a false pregnancy)

I must admit here that I tend to let my does get too fat in the late summer and early fall, and always have a few that don't take the first time. So, has anyone else ever had this happen?

 

[luvabunny]

I've never had a doe pull fur if they didn't actually deliver. Any possibility that the times they did, there was only 1 baby delivered and lost in the nest, or maybe eaten?

I don't palpate either. Tried it for years. Can't get the hang of it. Tried to palpate a doe that was a few days overdue, couldn't feel anything, and gave up. She delivered 11 babies the next day. I decided palpating was not my strong suit.

I also usually try to breed a couple of does at the same time too. Just helps to have that extra backup in case anything goes wrong.

 

[skysthelimit]

Only the hollands have made nest and had no kits. Generally it's the other way around, no nests, then kits come.