lOST ENTIRE LITTER OF 7 KITS

[Autumnarcher]

Had a doe due to have kits Nov 4th. The date came and went, and by the 10th, she still had not kindled, so I removed nest box. I was in the shed later in the day weighing another litter that are almost ready for the freezer, when I saw she hada pile of hair pulled in the corner of the cage. GREAT! I put the nest box back in, filled it with straw and put hte hair in the box. She immediately threw all of it out of the box,and rebuilt a nest on the wire in the corner. About an hour or so later, she kindled 7. All seemed fine with her nest, and it was warm out, in the 60's. Yesterday morning all was fine, even though the temps dove. Last night my wife went out to feed and all but one were dead, they had crawled out of their nest in the corner, and froze. She brought the one inside to warm it, and then madesome barriers around the nest to try to keep itin. This morning, Mommma had put itin the nest box( that seh had removed all the straw from). It was dead. This was her 2nd litter of kits, her first were born Aug 24th and are about ready for freezer.

I blame myself for removing the nest box, but I thought enough time had passed that she wasnt going to kindle.

Should we add heat lamps above the cages with the kits? Obviously, if she had used the nest box, I think they would have been fine, but thinking a heat lamp might be good insurance until they get all their hair. Suggestions? Have another doe due the 21st, and don't want to lose another litter.

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

Dont blame yourself. Breed her again ,,,,,, I wouldnt use heat lamps ..Sometimes it doenst matter what you do. They are still going to do things that make you mad. The only thing is just keep an eye on those that are ready to kindle .

 

[Secuono]

Don't use a heat lamp, it can cause more problems than it solves. No one wants a building to burn to the ground. People that do end up using a lamp should secure it so nothing can get it down, keep it cleaned and check it often for any issues, no matter how small.
If the kits were left in a nest on the wire, there's no doubt they would get lost and freeze. If you don't have a nest or she seems to hate the one you give, try different types of containers and boxes. Either way, they need to be kept together where straying is not possible. The nest helps to keep strays in a small area so there is less chance of freezing, helps knock kits off mom and back into the nest and prevents mom from trampling them as she might if they were just rolling around freely. Without a box nest, it's a huge risk, like an infant without a crib.

If you are worried about the next litter, can you move her into an insulated and warm room/building? If not, wrap the cage to block as much wind and keep any heat in, then make sure to check on her often. If she tears up a nest you make after she has the kits, bring the nest into the house and only bring it out to feed them.

 

[Miss M]

I'm so sorry! Sometimes it does take them a few tries to get everything right.

Perhaps putting the nestbox next time where she built that nest this time might help her resist pulling the material out. If she does move the nest again, though, you can rebuild it in the box. It is not likely she would move it again, once the kits in there.

 

[Autumnarcher]

Thanksfor the input. I think the only reason she didnt use the box was I had removed it, and she started a nest of hair on the wire, so she had her mind made up that was where it would be. How long should I wait to rebreed her? Im thinking 2-3 weeks. I have another doe to brred around then too, her first run, so Im thinking if I do them both at the same time I can foster if need be. I have another doe due the 21st, and its her last chance to get it right. I had 2 atttempts where she didnt take, then she kindled 1, which died. This was all after she had a litter of 6 back in May. IF she doesnt produce a litter this time, shes gone, tired of feeding non producers. The other doe Im about ready to breed is from her May litter. NZW's. The heat lamp idea is my wifes, Im not a big fan of it. I think if the nest is adequate they'll be just fine. Thanks again for the input.

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

You can wait until you have another doe to breed at the same time. If they are not breed with in a 2 month spand from the last litter.. I find they get to fat on the inside and have trouble getting pregnant or have only one baby because not all the eggs release ect.