Eight weeks, no kits

[Truckinguy]

Well, the bunnies have been out in their new colony for nearly eight weeks and not a kit to be found. I saw Fred mount both does the day I put them in there so assumed there would be little ones a month later. I know Fred and Morgan are compatible because they have given me three litters together when I had them in the garage and the young doe that is in with them is their daughter. Could the trauma of moving to a new living situation be preventing a pregnancy? I haven't seen any little bodies around and no fur has been pulled so even if they had babies and they were somehow killed for some reason I would have seen that.

Otherwise they seem to be quite happy in their new digs. I've cleaned it out four times and they don't seem to be scared of me in there with them, in fact, I have to keep shooing them out of the way because they are nosy and want to investigate my boots, the pitchfork, the broom, etc.

I'm happy with the new housing but a bit disappointed with having no babies.

 

[Secuono]

Yea, that's why I'm giving up with colonies, kits never happened when the buck lives with them...I don't get it.

 

[MaggieJ]

That is disappointing! Could be they felt a bit exposed out there at first with no solid walls. I would think you'll find kits within the next month though. :clover:

 

[Truckinguy]

That could very well be, Maggie. With Christmas and New Year's plans I haven't been able to do much outside but after New Year's I'll work on getting them squared away a little better, maybe make a divided area inside to separate the buck. I've seen all three of them lying together quite a few times so I don't want to separate them if they enjoy each others company.

Can they somehow physically not get pregnant if they're not comfortable with their surroundings?

 

[MaggieJ]

Can they somehow physically not get pregnant if they're not comfortable with their surroundings?

Good question. I've always heard that nervous or discontented animals are less likely to conceive. I don't know how true it is.

I wouldn't separate the buck unless he causes a problem. We had one buck that was so eager to rebreed the does that he was actually interfering with kindling. But there would be evidence - trampled kits - if that were the problem.

It could be the coincidence of time of year and change of environment. They sound contented now, so I am optimistic that they will start producing soon.