Help Me Please

[bigbrologan]

I went out to the buns this morning to put the nest box in with one of my momma's, she was due on Thursday. Instead, I find one and a half babies on the cage floor. Is there any way I can tell if she's eaten all of them? Should I keep checking up on her in case she has more? Or do you think she's done?

Any and all help would be appreciated.

Thanks guys,
Logan

 

[akane]

She will only eat the ones that don't make it. It's an instinct to get rid of the dead bodies and other things from birth out of the nest tunnels they evolved to make. Leaving a dead kit down there would kill the others. It's very rare for a doe to kill and eat live kits. There's a slight chance she will have more but usually they are done quickly so unless she just gave birth to those 2 when you checked on her you won't see anymore.

 

[bigbrologan]

Thank you for the advice, akane.

Nothing yet, I don't think she's going to have any more.

 

[MaggieJ]

I agree with Akane... not much you can do except wait and keep an eye on her. Did the one kit survive? If so, did you get it tucked up in the nest box to keep it warm?

 

[bigbrologan]

No, it didn't, it was freezing and I saw no signs of life. Was laying on the cage floor.

 

[MaggieJ]

If there are no more by tomorrow and the doe seems in good condition and is eating/drinking/pooping normally, you can rebreed her and hope for better results next month.

 

[bigbrologan]

Thanks for the help Maggie.

 

[MaggieJ]

You're welcome, Logan. When you rebreed her, be sure to mark the calendar. With this doe, since she appears to kindle early, you will want to add the nest box on Day 25 or 26 instead of Day 28. Put some of the nesting materials in it to give her the right idea. Hoping to be hearing about bouncy, healthy popples in about a month's time! :clover: :clover: :clover:

 

[bigbrologan]

I found a bit of blood in the nest box, does this mean anything?

 

[MaggieJ]

A bit of blood is normal when a rabbit gives birth. Don't worry unless it gets worse or goes on for more than a day.

 

[bigbrologan]

Okay, thank you Maggie.