Transporting a pregnant doe

[bilder]

Got a line on a nice breeding age doe. She is a NZ/Cali mix and the guy thinks she is 2 or 3 weeks pregnant.

I can get her for next to nothing and any kits would be a welcome bonus.

Question is can I safely transport her while he is pregnant or would the stress of a move be too hard on her?

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I doubt you would lose the doe, but you might lose the kits.

How far away is she?

 

[bilder]

Less than an hour away.

This would be her second litter. She lost the first because the guy did not know she was pregnant and she kindled in a bare cage on one of the coldest days of the year. She pulled fur to put around them, but they still got too cold and died within a day.

Part of me wants to get her just to keep her away from a forgetful farmer.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I would go ahead and get her. That isn't very far at all.

Make sure to quarantine her away from your other rabbits for 30 days.

 

[bilder]

Got a separate pen set up for new arrivals.

Going to put a nesting box in with her right away since the guy cannot remember if it was 2 or 3 weeks since he bred her.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Going to put a nesting box in with her right away since the guy cannot remember if it was 2 or 3 weeks since he bred her.

I would let her pick a potty corner first. Make sure she has access to hay right away so if she starts gathering it you will know to put the box in.

 

[bilder]

Good point. I made that mistake with the bunnies we got a couple weeks ago. Had some cardboard bins from work in the cages and the bunnies quickly let us know what they thought of them. First one chewed hers up and turned it upside down to sit on, the second flattened hers and peed all over it and the third left his intact and just pooped in it.

I got lots of hay on hand and let the rabbits have all they want. My girls like to watch them play and eat a fresh handful.

 

[skysthelimit]

Every doe I have bought from my Rex breeder except one was bred before I got them. They all had successful litters with me. She is about a 45 minutes to an hour a way. The one I totally forgot about, she was bred 20 days before I picked her up, and kindled a litter of 9 ten days later.

 

[bilder]

Well I made the trip to Grants Pass today to pick up the doe. She is nice and big, very well mannered and seems to be enjoying her new home.

I got some more information on her from the farmers wife. The doe is due on or around the 26th, so I have some time to get her ready and make sure my grow out pen is all set and ready for action.

She settled in and started to sun herself shortly after I put her in her new home.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

She's pretty, and she looks like she knows she is in "good hands" now!

:congratulations:

And :welcome: HOME, bunny!