Rabbit in labor, flash floods are a coming!

dayna · Feb 21, 2013

Oh crap!

So my rabbit is due today/tomorrow. She was bred last month on the 21st.

I have a chicken tractor type setup. And up until today, it's been a GREAT situation.

Well today, we've got flash floods and high winds, I mean it is POURING and POURING from every direction even upside down. The sound is so loud I can't even hardly hear myself think.

I just braved the outside to check on the rabbits and it appears my girl is in labor (of course) and the rain is coming from all angles, and the inside of the hutch/nestbox/everyhing is wet. She's in a relativly dry spot (she's not soaked, just her feet).

So do I risk moving them all to the carport while she's in labor? She made her nest outside the nest box (of course! It's her first litter). I'm scared of hurting her, or causing issues with her labor. Or should I wait and risk them being wet?<br /><br />__________ Thu Feb 21, 2013 4:22 pm __________<br /><br />Well I risked it and moved her. I hope all turns out okay!

michaelhodgejr · Feb 21, 2013

I think you made the right call. Congrats on the babies!

dayna · Feb 21, 2013

Well, I'm scared that she'll not give birth in her box, or she'll eat them.

Hopefully she's going to be okay. She's been hopping around the tractor sniffing and checking things out. Only went in the nestbox one time to sniff around.

I do think I made a good choice though, as (if it's even possible) the rain just got harder. I think we've had at least a couple inches today. I'm going to go check the weather website. I'm getting civil defense notices about flash floods, high winds, and heavy rain!

Miss M · Feb 21, 2013

I think you made the right call, too.

It is possible that she may put off her kindling for a day or two, because of the change.

You can try putting her nest into the box, and putting the box where her nest was. If not before she delivers, then as soon after as possible. The babies will crawl out of the nest and chill.

If you put her nest in the box, she should accept it in its new location. Be vigilant until she kindles, though, as sometimes they won't.

Be safe, and good luck with your doe! :clover:

dayna · Feb 22, 2013

Well no babies last night/early this morning. However she did go into the nest box and fix it back up to her liking. So here's hoping that she delivers soon and puts the babies where they are supposed to go!

Heritage Homestead · Feb 22, 2013

Hope all goes well!

dayna · Feb 22, 2013

We've gotten 34 inches of rain THIS YEAR. It was supposed to be a drier winter but that's not happening. We've gotten 4 inches in the last few hours alone. whew! I think there is some sort of tropical storm swirling around the Islands.