The Importance of Checking Nests After Kindling

[MamaSheepdog]

This morning I had two does kindle. One doe, Magma, is a maiden doe (or was until this morning, anyway!), and she delivered nine kits. I found four uneaten placentas in her nest. Poppy is an experienced mother, and had twelve kits. One of those had died in utero- it was quite small, and had a greenish cast to it. She left three placentas as well. I also removed some bloody bedding.

With the heat we are having right now, I shudder to think what the condition of those nests would have been by this afternoon, let alone days later.

I think it is especially important when does have large litters because I rarely find uneaten placentas in nests with fewer kits.

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

I count and remove any thing that isnt suppose to be in there. I have seen lots of stuff in those boxes.

 

[SterlingSatin]

generally my does kindle the night of the 13st, and i check every few hours that night until about 10 and then first thing the next morning. if anythings there that isn't supposed to be, its not there for more than 8 hours during the night when its cool.

 

[Cindi Davis]

Thats good information I usually check as well just to make sure everything is going well.

 

[MaggieJ]

Thanks, MSD, for the reminder about how important it is to check the nests! In a colony, where you can feed and water from the outside, it is easy to be lazy about checking the nest tunnels for new kits.

 

[Heritage Homestead]

I know what you mean MaggieJ! I can get a little lazy about mine sometimes.
Thanks MSD for the great reminder!

 

[Piper]

generally my does kindle the night of the 13st, and i check every few hours that night until about 10 and then first thing the next morning. if anythings there that isn't supposed to be, its not there for more than 8 hours during the night when its cool.

you mean the night of the 31st.?

 

[grumpy]

Checking nestboxes is a daily "chore". With large litters and warm weather, a twice-a-day check is almost mandatory. It doesn't take long for anything to turn septic in the nestbox and bacteria goes into overdrive when it has the right conditions.

I usually check the youngsters until they get to the "popcorn" stage. They're all sound asleep, just blow gently on them and they act like popcorn!!

grumpy.

 

[ollitos]

Yep.. I'm always checking the nest boxes. I do a body count at least twice a day and check to make sure no one has poop sticking to them and preventing elimination. I also check for full tummies every morning. I've never had any placenta left behind but I do remove bloody shavings and hay.

 

[Miss M]

We check frequently, too! Of course, it has only to do with making sure the nest is clean and dry, and nothing at all to do with playing with popples! :razz:

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I posted this topic to alert our newbie members to the importance of checking nests right away. So many of us have heard that if you touch newborn babies of any species, the mother will abandon them- and this is simply not true.

Continued monitoring of the nest is important as well. In the warm months I check nests at least twice daily since dead kits will quickly contaminate the nest. In the colder months you can get away with a daily check, but I still prefer to check the kits at the morning and evening feedings.

 

[SterlingSatin]

you mean the night of the 31st.?

yes sorry! totally read over that.