do does eat less before kindling?

[coffeenutdesigns]

So, my 2 does that may or may not be due on Monday have both stopped eating as much in the way of pellets or hay in the last day or 2, though they are eating more hay than pellets. I am hesitantly hopeful for live kits, but mentally prepared for none at all. Is the semi-fasting a good sign or a bad one?

 

[LeAnn24]

It is normal for them to go off food a day or so before they kindle. I hope it is a good sign for you!!

 

[coffeenutdesigns]

I hope so, too. I have one that was acting a little anxious this evening, but no nesting yet. I hope she can wait a day because we are finishing some better nesting boxes in the morning. They have some "just in case" boxes right now.

 

[Miss M]

I'm glad you've got them prepared just in case.

My does greatly lessen the amount of feed they take in for the few days before they kindle. Sometimes, they seem not to eat at all for a couple of days.

As long as they are drinking, pooping, and peeing normally, it should be fine.

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

I had a doe that would go two weeks without eating anything but hay and her oatmeal and flax seed..then when she had her babies.. she piged out on her pellets.

 

[skysthelimit]

Generally my does eat ravenously right up until they kindle, except the holland, she ate very little her whole pregnancy, as if she had morning sickness or something, acted mopey and skiddish, that's what made me think she was pregnant

 

[Frosted Rabbits]

Both my recent kindlings, the does went on hunger strikes-- they actually looked like they were losing weight/condition!!!
I guess each doe has her own agenda....

 

[SuburbanHomesteader]

For our rabbits, it depends on the doe. Some quit eating for a day or two before kindling and others don't miss a single meal! As the other poster said - as long as she's drinking and peeing and pooping normally, all should be well.

 

[AnnClaire]

When I have a doe that goes off her feed before kindling, I will give her a big handful of hay to play with and they will generally eat after expending the energy on the hay. Of course, most of the hay ends up below the cage since they generally have already built the nest by this time