Fingers crossed

SatinsRule · Mar 16, 2012

I've had a real rough run of luck with losing litters over the past few months. It's something which I'm finding out was very common throughout this region among other Satin breeders, including in KS and MO, mostly due to the extremely hot temperatures we had last summer. All totalled, I'd lost 3 consecutive litters and had a whale of a time even getting does to take.

Well, last night my black doe gave birth to 5 youngins. Lets hope all turns out well for this one.

SterlingSatin · Mar 16, 2012

:clover: fingers crossed for you. how old is the doe? i've never gotten a litter less than 6 from a satin. thats really nasty that you lost 3 in a row

i don't breed in summer b/c its soo hot for the mom and babies, even if they make it they usually have terrible growth rates, in my experience. hopefully this is only the beginning of a good luck streak

Lastfling · Mar 16, 2012

Here's hoping all goes well.

SatinsRule · Mar 16, 2012

SterlingSatin":mjoiwkqu said:
:clover: fingers crossed for you. how old is the doe? i've never gotten a litter less than 6 from a satin. thats really nasty that you lost 3 in a row i don't breed in summer b/c its soo hot for the mom and babies, even if they make it they usually have terrible growth rates, in my experience. hopefully this is only the beginning of a good luck streak

The doe is nearly 2 years old and was purchased strictly as a brood doe. It was the first time she would ever take, so you can imagine how relieved I am that she's being a good mom. This morning, her box was full of fur, and yesterday when I gave her some new straw for the box, she went nutz building her nest.

Only one of the previous breedings took place in the summertime, but the rest was likely the lingering effects of the summer heat, which often leaves does and bucks sterile for a period of time. I've talked with several breeders from KS and MO who've been experiencing the same thing in recent months. The extensive heat last summer and fall impacted operations around here. Heck, it never really cooled down here until about November, and we didn't even get a real cold spell during the "winter".

I lost a litter of blues last month during the one cold spell we had. Other than that, there was some pretty intense frustration involved with just getting does to take, then losing what few litters actually made it into a box a few days after they were born.

And last night, I got 2 more does bred. One more doe visits a buck tonight. Hopefully I can get a few fall show bunnies out of these litters.

Random Rabbit · Mar 16, 2012

Fingers, toes and bunny ears... all crossed for You SR !!!

SatinsRule · Mar 18, 2012

So far, 4 of the 5 are doing well. One of the youngins unfortunately got stepped on and didn't make it. If all continues to go as it has thus far, the rest should have their eyes open this time next week.

Here's how they look right now at Day #3: