Palpation

[Desert Rose Rabbits]

So, one of my does is 11 days out from being bred. Everything I was reading was saying to start palpating at day 10. I went to palpate her yesterday and found out that she's suddenly very much against having her sides and belly touched. Pushed through it and think I might have felt a lump or two but all I know for sure was that I kept feeling nipples.

Is there a better time for first time palpaters to check? I was reading that by day 14 the marbles/grapes often times become very hard to distinguish from anything else due to the amount of amniotic fluid around the fetuses.

 

[Secuono]

Day 14 or later. Poop is gritty when two rub, fetuses are smooth when rubbed together. Feel up in under the ribs and down to the tail, some can hide near full term kits, so it can be pretty tricky.

 

[Flemishstar]

I gave up on palpating im always wrong....lol

 

[stone soup farm]

I agree. I tried and it is tricky. I just wait until and re-breed on day 37 if no kits have arrived.

 

[Flemishstar]

same here...i think my does are too fat too tell lol

 

[Desert Rose Rabbits]

Oi... We seriously need rabbit preggo tests, or some thing!

 

[3mina]

I can't feel individual kits but they feel like they're packed full, that's as close as I've ever come but I'm calling it successful since all the does I palpated kindled successfully & without fingerprints from me mashing them about either

 

[skysthelimit]

I can usually tell by day 14, or sooner, and I can count kits. It's a skill that needs sensitive hands, and can only be acquired by palpating a lot of does. My tract record is decent. I can also palpate the dogs as well.

Some does hide em way up in the ribs, but the closer you get to kindling the more likely they will drop, and you can feel them moving.