Summer heat for kits

[mystang89]

Hey strangers,
Yeah, been a while but I have a question about the heat and a pregnant doe so here's the question.

What do you all do for a first time doe and the heat. She just had 2 kits so I'm sure she's not done. She's pulled lots of hair but most has gone through the wire. I've picked it up and put as much as I can in the box. She did put a some hay in the box as well but I wouldn't say it was a well made nest. Do they need a lot of fur and hay like most nests need if it was during any other season? What should I do? I haven't had to take care of kits for a few months and never had to worry about summer heat so what's the game plan? The heat around here recently has been WONDERFUL! I think it's only been in the mid 80's which for me is just an absolute blessing but for kits in a small box with lot's of hair on them....may be another story.
http://www.wlky.com/weather/7-day That's the extended forecast to give you an idea of how its going to be around here.

P.S Yes, I know this has been gone over many times but I really don't have the time to look for the threads and go through them as I have a few too many things to do tonight and kits were not on the menu so sorry

 

[Secuono]

They don't need much fur in the nest during summer, unless your nights get drastically cold.
Check on the kits during the day to make sure they aren't getting too hot, as well as make sure mom isn't being dump [first timer syndrome] or overheating herself.

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

My duet of MR kits would push all the fur and hay away and just lie on the cardboard liner at the bottom of the nest box, they were born in a heatwave. I'd just watch to make sure that they don't chill if it gets cold at night.

 

[Secuono]

Smart kits! My current two litters weren't so bright when they were little. I had to move the hay/fur away for them and then cover them back up every day for 2wks...

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

Smart kits! My current two litters weren't so bright when they were little. I had to move the hay/fur away for them and then cover them back up every day for 2wks...

LOL not so smart, they wouldn't cover up at night so they came indoors every night so they wouldn't freeze.

 

[mystang89]

Thanks for the replies. They haven't moved the hay and fur out from around them but they apparently don't like each other either. One is at one end of the box and the next is at the other end. Never seen that before but I figure maybe they don't want the extra body heat.

I palpated her today and found out she still has a couple of kits inside so I will be giving her some Strawberry leaves, parsley and raspberry leaves to try to ease the labor and induce her. We'll see how it works.

 

[SuburbanHomesteader]

If they're spread out away from each other in the nestbox, it's a sign that they're too hot. Normally, they'd be in a big pile. Danger with the heat and lots of fur is that they'll get too warm and smother - or be so spread out that the weaker ones don't get to momma come feeding time. Flip side of the coin - depending on your low temps at night - is that you might have to replace any fur at night that you remove during the day. Should only last as long as it takes them to get fur - about 10 days to two weeks.

So did she have any more? Hope all goes well. Keep us posted.

 

[mystang89]

No, hasn't had anymore but I palpated her again just in case I went crazy(er) and she has them in there. What is probably going to happen is one of two things. She'll either die of labor pains or she'll successfully have the rest of them but they will be dead because they were distended. Hope not of course. I hope she has them and they are all very healthy happy hoppy kits. I'll see and let everyone know.

 

[Miss M]

Have you given her some Tums? She may be dealing with a calcium deficiency. You can also use oyster shell calcium for chickens.

 

[mystang89]

Actually I have not Miss M. Thank you for reminding me about that.