First litter - what am I expecting?

[powellanimals]

First time bunny mama here. I bred one of my Lionhead does in December. She only let the buck on once, he fell over, and then she didn't want anything to do with him. Tried re-breeding her a day and then two days later and she was not having it. I figured it did not take. I did attempt to palpitate her on day 12 but didn't feel anything (first time I have ever done it though). Day 21 I noticed she made a nest. She carried hay around and made a burrow in a corner. I put in a nest box but she just slept in it. I removed the nest box and put it back in two days ago and she does not appear to be going into it. Today is day 28. I am not seeing any fur in the cage. She has now begun to grunt at me when I open her cage. Are there any steps I should be looking for to see if she is close? It almost feels like I am bothering her checking her nestbox every 3-4 hours but I want to make sure she doesn't give birth outside of the box since she is in the garage and we have freezing temperatures. Also, has anyone had a doe exhibit all of these signs and not be pregnant? I am quite nervous but hoping to have some babies soon! Thank you for any advice!

 

[wamplercathy]

Shenanigans

If you think it can't happen then it will. If you prepare for the worst nothing will happen. But could.

Just shenanigans. Or at least that has been my experience over the past few months. Out of 5 litters none have gone as planed. Shenanigans. :x :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

 

[EnglishSpot]

If she's sleeping in the nest box, it may be too big. However, if tomorrow is day 29 you could put it back in for her. Sometimes does don't pull fur til the very moments before giving birth.

 

[Zass]

I've had a doe go through all the "signs" wait until day 31, build a nest, pull hair....and no babies.

No blood...Just nothing. Rabbits like to keep us on our toes.

 

[HansenHomestead]

Just as, EnglishSpot said. My does will build a nest anywhere from day 28-30, but will not pull fur until a few minutes - hours from kindling. Something I also due when it is past day 25. Is I cup my hand gently around her belly, and feel for kicks, or movement. You don't need to pick her up, or anything just slide your hand under, and cup it.

 

[Knacker]

None of my first time does have pulled fur until right before birth (day 30.5), they have though all stuffed their mouths with hay before kindling. As well, all have decreased their feeding before birth.

I hate the wait.

 

[powellanimals]

Thanks for the advice everyone! No babies yet and no fur pulling but food bowl remains full so she has not eaten almost at all over the past 24 hours. I felt her stomach and can't tell whether I felt a kick or just her gastrointestinal tract moving. She is still growling at me when I go into the cage. Here's to some more waiting. This is day 29.

 

[HansenHomestead]

I sent you a message hun. If you need any help you're welcome to call, or text me anytime today.

 

[wamplercathy]

Mine didn't decrease food intact. In fact I'm pretty sure 1 doe was so caught up in eating she gave birth right beside the feeder. :evil: Had 1 first timer clean everything out of the box and lay down a tiny patch of fur in the box, her second litter perfect nest. Another first timer perfect nest, perfect mom.

But that's rabbits. Heck that's livestock in general. Neighbors calf drowned in a water trough that was design to keep that from happening. :x Went out and found it twisted up under the "safety" bar.

Best of luck.

 

[Zass]

Most of my does do not kindle until day 31.

Not eating at all for several days would be something to worry about.
I have had does refuse pellets during late pregnancy, but still nibble hay and accept treats like boss, oats, greens or carrot.
It would be good if you can tempt her into eating a little.
Aside from gi stasis, there can be problems if an animal's blood sugar drops too low during late pregnancy.

 

[powellanimals]

I put in extra hay and sunflower seeds although I cannot seem to tempt her into eating anything. She has gone into the nestbox this morning and pulled a little fur. Not a lot yet but otherwise she is just sitting in the corner, not moving much even when I open the door.

 

[Zass]

I put in extra hay and sunflower seeds although I cannot seem to tempt her into eating anything. She has gone into the nestbox this morning and pulled a little fur. Not a lot yet but otherwise she is just sitting in the corner, not moving much even when I open the door.

Pulling fur in the nestbox is a very positive sign. 90% sure you will have popples within a few days.

 

[powellanimals]

So based on the amount of food in her dish I would say she is eating again and I have not seen any more fur pulling. However, she has continued to build the nest in her box as there is significantly more hay in there now. These conflicting signs are driving me bonkers. ancake:

 

[wamplercathy]

Like I said

Shenanigans

:beer2: Here's to you keeping your sanity. :lol: :lol:

 

[Marinea]

My vote...Sunday morning.

*fingers crossed for healthy kits*

 

[HansenHomestead]

I'm going to be up for a while tonight. Feel free to text me if you need any help!



opcorn:

 

[powellanimals]

Went outside this morning and nothing yet. She's just laying in the corner, the same way I've seen her for the past 24 hours. I finally did try to feel her again (she was still grunting at me when I got close) and I'm almost positive I can feel movement and kicks. Definitely not intestinal tract movements. I guess it is a waiting game now. Thank you HansenHomestead for the great instructions! Is it possible for me to be bothering her too much? It is her first litter and I've been checking on her about once an hour and a half.

 

[wamplercathy]

I would put her on "doe watch" That's what Izzy and I call it at least. With our luck, :x , we check on the does every couple of hours till she kindles. We normally start on day 30. Day and night. My DH thinks we're crazy but I hate loosing kits.

Best of luck.

 

[powellanimals]

I covered her cage to give her more privacy. Hasn't eaten or had anything to drink since this morning and has been laying down in one spot all day. No longer grunting at me when I check on her. Tomorrow is day 31. opcorn:

-- Sun Jan 17, 2016 1:10 pm --

No kits just yet but she has filled the nest box full of fur. Enough fur in there to probably make another Lionhead :lol:

She was bred in the morning so maybe this evening we shall see something. opcorn: <br /><br /> -- Sun Jan 17, 2016 4:24 pm -- <br /><br /> At 2:30 this afternoon, she delivered 6 healthy kits, no DOAs! Lots and lots of fur, all eyes, ears, and limbs accounted for and everyone is warm and wiggling. Hoping this continues going well!

 

[Preitler]

:congratulations:

Is ist just me? I don't remember having seen such naked, almost see-through wrigglers :lol: