Kindling in Winter

[Birds Buns N Bees]

I've got two litters of Mini Rex due next week, and the weather reports say that it's supposed to be in the mid- to upper-30's during the day, and probably the mid- to upper-20's at night next week. My rabbits are housed in an unheated garage. So far, even though it's gotten below freezing at night, their water hasn't frozen and it's usually 5-10 degrees warmer in the garage than outside. Now, I've never bred rabbits in autumn/winter before, so I'm not used to having babies due in cold-ish weather. Any recommendations? I don't know if a heat lamp or portable heater in the garage is really feasible; I don't want to take the chance of starting a fire! The two does that are expecting are housed in a double-stacker. I was thinking of draping a fleece blanket over the stacker to trap some heat? Or bringing the nest boxes indoors once the babies are born and just taking them out to nurse. ...Or am I just overthinking things, and temps around 40F won't even be a big deal as long as the babies have a sufficient nest and are away from drafts? :? Any advice is welcome!

 

[MaggieJ]

In my experience, those temperatures are nothing to worry about, provided the does build good nests and pull enough fur.

It might be a good idea to have extra nesting materials handy in case they don't pull enough. If the doe is docile, you can sometimes pull extra from her dewlap and tummy. Some people use saved fur from times a doe pulls more than needed, some use dryer lint, teased cotton batting or cotton balls, shredded newspaper etc. I use the half-down body feathers from a mean old gander we culled years ago or even the soft feathers from MidnightCoder's Silkies. You could open up an old feather pillow if you have one.

Putting a fleece blanket over the bank of cages is not a bad idea, as long as the does are okay with it. You might have to drape it over except at the front until they get used to it and then pull it down later. You don't want to startle them.

 

[Dood]

40' is nothing to worry about. I breed 10+ lb AmChins and 3.5 - 4.5 pound Mini Lops all year and my barn is just above 32'

BUT

Wood rather than metal or plastic boxes are warmer

I use a radiant heater as it does not get hot, it only heats objects and not the air but you may not want to keep a large garage at 32' all winter.

I wouldn't worry about litters with 5 or more mini kits except on very cold nights but less may not be able to maintain temperature. Extra bedding as MaggieJ suggested and changing it often to keep it dry will help.

I would feed the does extra BOSS to help them keep the fat up in the milk and not deplete their own reserves.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I wouldn't worry too much at those temps either as long as the does pull enough fur and they have well bedded nests.

To help conserve body heat I would recommend attaching corrugated cardboard to the cages instead of the blanket. Cardboard is perfectly safe if ingested, whereas fabric can be problematic. You could even attach more than one layer to insulate it even more. Just poke a couple holes in the cardboard and attach with zip ties.

 

[ladysown]

outdoor, unheated rabbitry. I bred the most and best in the winter.

Located southwestern ontario with TONS of snow and lots of good hard cold.

The rabbits thrive as long as momma does her job properly.

I don't feed any different in winter than in summer except less greens.

 

[Birds Buns N Bees]

Thanks everyone! I'm not going to worry too much about it then. One doe is experienced and has done a good job raising babies in the past (though that was in the summer), and the other is a first-timer, so I'm a bit more nervous about her. But fortunately I can foster if necessary. Hopefully I'll get some nice prospects for MR Nationals from these litters!

 

[joybellfarm]

I put cardboard on top and sometimes in the cage and add lots of hay and straw. The experienced moms never have to much an issue. U may want to check them a little more often. But i would say there fine. I got 2 does due next week and 2 more due in about 2 weeks.

 

[Birds Buns N Bees]

Well, the experienced doe kindled overnight sometime. I didn't have time to take a really thorough look this morning before work, but I peeked into the nest box and, inside a beautiful and very fuzzy nest, were at least six little squirming kits. They seemed warm and cozy, despite the cold and rainy weather, and mom looked fine, so I left them alone. I'll go home over lunchtime and make a closer inspection. I'm excited about this litter; the doe is a Grand Champion with 13 Legs, and one of the babies from her last litter just placed in the Top 10 of his class (out of 40) at Convention, at the age of 15 weeks. I have high hopes for these babies!

I'm still waiting on Doe #2, who is a first-timer and has not touched her nest box as of this morning, though she is due today. She was palpated positive, and she's been a little monster all month, coming after me when I put my hand in her cage (not normal behavior). So I'm sure she's bred... just gotta wait it out I guess!

 

[AnnClaire]

KIT SAVER WIRE!!! And, if you are really worried, cover the floor of the cage with a layer of hay except for the potty corner

Also, for covering a cage, duct tape and the tyvek feed bags make great cage covers Just put one bag over the top, and starting at one side, start attaching the side bag to the top bag, folding corners and such ... worked all winter last year for my 2 buckling cages This year, I have most of the rabbit sheds made, so stapled the feed bags to the back side of the shed ... easy to pull free for the summer, will last all winter long and with the white side out, provides plenty of shade from the hot sun in the summer :cheesysmile: I mean, what else are ya gonna do with all that *free* tyvek just begging to be used LOL

 

[PSFAngoras]

Breeding in winter is better actually. I'm sure my angoras would kill me if I tried to ask for any litters sooner than September or later than March. It's just too hot, and the kits overheat and die. I do have moms that pull extra wool when it gets cold too though, so that probably helps.

 

[skysthelimit]

Those Tyvek bags are great. I used a few last year too, over the stacker that was outside. One of the reasons I stopped feeding buckeye brand is the bags are paper, so no free tyvek.

 

[Birds Buns N Bees]

Still nothing from Doe #2. She's two days overdue and showing no signs of kindling, even though I can feel a couple of kits when I palpate her. She's eating the hay out of her nestbox, and acting unconcerned. I don't feel any movement when I palpate, and I'm doubting the kits are alive. I suppose I'll run her to the vet tomorrow if she doesn't kindle tonight. I was looking forward to getting some otters from her (she herself is a blue otter) but at this point, as long as she comes through it okay I'll be happy.