Doe having trouble

[Bluebird]

I got a new NZW doe last fall, and have bred her three times now. Each time she has kindled, but had very small litters of dead kits, sometimes stretched out over several days. The kits look partially mutilated. Last time she had only one. I haven't had a doe who consistently had trouble kindling before now--I wonder if this is a doe that should be culled, or is there something that can be done to help her? Anybody have experience with this?
Thanks!

 

[MaggieJ]

I would send her to freezer camp. It sounds like she has problems kindling and the mutilation is probably because she has to pull the kits.

If you decide you want to try her one more time, here are a couple of suggestions.

Calcium can sometimes help at kindling time. TUMS antacid tablets are an easy way of giving it to them. Rabbits tend to prefer berry or fruit flavours. One tablet a day or so before she is due and one on the day should be plenty. She will take them or not as she feels the need.

You could also try her with a different buck, if you haven't already. Sometimes a certain combination just doesn't work.

But, as I said, I would personally just go ahead and cull her. Three strikes and you're out is the general guideline.

 

[skysthelimit]

I would cull her, especially if she's a meat breed. It's a bit different with dwarf breeds or some of these breeds with heads bigger than the doe and pass. But a meat breed is bred to breed.

 

[Bluebird]

Thanks, I'm just in from chores and I checked her records--she was bred to a different buck each time, so the problem is definitely with her. She is a pedigreed purebred...so I might try the calcium....but could it be a genetic problem? If so I'd better just cull her.

 

[3mina]

All my stock is pedigreed, doesn't keep me from culling.

If you know it's her and she's had three opportunities ......

 

[ottersatin]

Bluebird,
the decision is yours and yours alone to make,
but I give my rabbits three strikes and they are OUT!
Why keep tossing good money after bad? By housing/feeding
the Doe you are wasting cage space that could better be used
by another Doe who can carry her weight.
Ottersatin. ldtimer:

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

I just culled one yesturday because of this same reason. Like mentioned already. She should be culled.IF you really dont want to do that. You can use her for a foster mom if she is a good mom. And even then i would really think about as you have to feed and clean and take cage space as otter said.

 

[Bluebird]

Yeah, I think I'll cull her. I'm going to butcher some fryers tomorrow anyway. Thanks for the advice.