Kindling first time doe not able to pull fur

[Featherhoof]

This is my second year breeding meat rabbits, and I have just experienced my first litter failure this morning. My first time momma named 'Fatty Fatty Fudge', a New Zealand-Altex cross who is about 6 or 7 months old gave me hints that she was going to have a difficult delivery last night. She did not build a nest, although she went in and out of the box. I saw her trying to pull fur from her HUGE dewlap, but no fur would come off of her. She tried and tried. She managed to get maybe a mouthful and she put it in the nestbox. I'm 8 months preggers myself, and was exhausted from working almost a 15 hour shift. I went to bed. This morning my husband got me out of bed because he had found she had kindled on the wire, and the kits looked dead. She had not built a nest or pulled any more fur. I warmed them up and only 1 survived out of the six. I breed in pairs, so I put it in the nestbox with another litter that was born this morning. The new mamma's sister was a first timer 6 weeks ago. She built a nest with plenty of fur outside of the nestbox and all kits were warm. I put them in the box and everything went fine. I notice that my does shed the day before they kindle, and their hair comes out easily. That did not happen with this doe. The poor girl tugged and tugged at herself for that little bit of fur she got. Has anyone seen this before? I'll breed her again soon. I'm not sure when. I need to rethink my breeding schedule because I don't want my bunnies to kindle at the same time as me!

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Aww, poor girl.

I haven't ever experienced that... but you know how we have the three strikes rule because they don't always manage to get things right the first time, and sometimes their nesting instinct kicks in late? I believe that is due to their hormones- so maybe hers weren't advanced enough for the fur to release? :?

I always recommend leaving the nestbox in the cage for a couple of days at least when they fail to build a nest because sometimes they do it a day or two after and I feel it is good practice for them. There is also the possibility that her milk will still come in, so you may be able to give her some kits or swap the nest between the two does night and morning so they can both nurse them.

Under no circumstances give her any kits before she builds a nest- when they are in that digging phase they have no concept that the kits are there and that they will hurt them.

Good luck with your own pregnancy and "kindling"! I hope the birth goes well for you! :clover:

Can't wait to see a pic of your own little popple, if you feel comfortable sharing pictures like that on the internet.