Help Needed

[Pink]

I noticed this morning that despite Ophira eating her pellets, she refused to eat her carrot. Generally, she's a greedy doe who's the first to steal everyone's carrots and other fresh foods.

I went to give her second feeding and, yet again she ate her pellets but when I VERY gently patted her belly she make a yelping noise. Not the crying noise that they do when they're fighting, but the noise they make when they're very scared. She's a very sweet girl who always allows me to pat her, everywhere, anytime... Which is why it's making me nervous.

My palpating skills are horrible, but I have a feeling she's bred (Leon escaped his cage, so we really have no idea who is pregnant). It's been a very stressful two days, for both my family and the rabbits... I'm really hoping everything is alright, and I'm just being a worrisome "grandmother".

Also, Aviva is pulling fur and has a hay mustache. If she is pregnant, she isn't due until May 23rd. I know this generally always means false pregnancy, but I'm wondering if anyone has a doe that pulls 2 weeks early? Should I re-bred her or wait another 2 weeks? She's a first time mom... Seems to be very eager to make her nest as perfect as possible.

 

[5dognightfarm]

Hmm, maybe gas or cramps? Give her a Tums to nibble, maybe that will help her feel better.

 

[Pink]

Hmm, maybe gas or cramps? Give her a Tums to nibble, maybe that will help her feel better.

Tums to nibble, or can she have the entire pill?

 

[Frosted Rabbits]

Simethicone is good for gas, as well-- it breaks up the gas bubbles. Offer some deandelion or plaintain, as well.Slippery elm twigs-- the tenderest you can find--

 

[Pink]

Simethicone is good for gas, as well-- it breaks up the gas bubbles. Offer some deandelion or plaintain, as well.Slippery elm twigs-- the tenderest you can find--

I gave her Dandelion. No plaintain around here, and I've never heard of Slippery Elm Twigs. <br /><br />__________ Thu May 10, 2012 7:21 pm __________<br /><br />Mmmm... As for Aviva, should I take out the fur from the nest and store it? Or just leave it?

 

[ladysown]

leave the fur there, she may or may not kindle, I'v had them go 13 days early before. 15 days after breeding is generally for a miss, but 13 days before, not always.

 

[Pink]

Everyone is going into her nest-box and is stealing her hay! Aviva noticed and gave them a big whoopin' HA! No one's going near the box now.<br /><br />__________ Thu May 10, 2012 10:43 pm __________<br /><br />

leave the fur there, she may or may not kindle, I'v had them go 13 days early before. 15 days after breeding is generally for a miss, but 13 days before, not always.

I'm scared to ask - did any of them survive to weaning?

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Pink, I think you misunderstood ladysown- I'm sure she is referring to the doe pulling fur 13 days early, not delivering kits. I was confused at first when I read it too!

 

[Pink]

Pink, I think you misunderstood ladysown- I'm sure she is referring to the doe pulling fur 13 days early, not delivering kits. I was confused at first when I read it too!

Oh...

Any ideas on how to keep the other does away from the nest box? Everyone is going inside, to do I don't know what.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

If I was raising colony style, I would provide a cage for the about to kindle doe, and put the nest box inside of it. I would confine her to it until she kindles and maybe for a couple days after. I don't know how protective does are over their nesting areas, so I would play it by ear as to when to let her out, and whether to leave the door open constantly or keep it closed and return her to the cage in the evenings and let her out in the morning. This idea came to me based on the tunneling behavior in dirt pens, and the fact that you can't handle the kits in those nests. I know you have concrete flooring in their run, so tunneling isn't an issue, but caging the expecting does will prevent them from kindling in another doe's nest and mixing up the litters.