GBov
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It may sound a silly question but is there an actual gestation time or is it a ball park figure?
What is the ACTUAL gestation time?
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MamaSheepdog
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28 to 36 days is considered in the "normal" range. Some does go even longer. The majority of my does kindle on day 31.
GBov
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MamaSheepdog":2x2z09eo said:
Ah, that explains why I am always surprised when the kits arrive :lol:
Do all does have that range with each litter or does each doe usually pop at the same time during her life?
MamaSheepdog
Well-known member
Mine have been pretty consistent. I think if they got frightened badly they would put off labor until they felt safe again... other than that I don't know.
I agree with MSD. Mine seems to be pretty consistent too - Day 31. Usually in the afternoon though of all things. The only one of mine that has gone early was my Holland. Day 29, but she had 8 and I think she was just getting ready to pop! Unfortunately she lost the entire litter. I guess just complications. It had been over a year since she had delivered.
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Mine are pretty consistent. Pearl and Squeak both would kindle on day 30. Pearl is gone, and Squeak hasn't had a litter in a while because of the move, so we'll see. 
I think Yuki kindled on day 32. First litter.
I think Yuki kindled on day 32. First litter.
LindseysWoolies
Well-known member
Mine usually go on day 31. I had one recently deliver on day 34 though.
skysthelimit
Well-known member
Mine are consistently past day 31, with my average on day 33 or longer. The only one that ever goes day 31 is the holland. Mini Rex went day 36 on her last litter, Rexes are usually day 34. I keep a calendar in the house and barn, so I do remember the expected dates.
Most of mine are day 31 if they go pass ,then it will be a smaller litter. The bigger litters are day 30
most day 31, two are day 30, another 3 are day 32. Keeping careful records really helps to know how to pair breedings.
just like MOST kindle at night, but I've a few who ALWAYS kindle during the day.
just like MOST kindle at night, but I've a few who ALWAYS kindle during the day.
I've never had anybody go past day 32 [or come before day 31, for that matter] but since there's always "a first time" I don't take the nest boxes away until day 36 if there are no kits. Would hate to come out and find a litter on the wire because I was hasty. Most of mine seem to kindle in the night but have also had some during the day. Doesn't seem to be any pattern to that.
skysthelimit
Well-known member
caroline":21tct8xf said:
Most of mine kindle mid afternoon, or evening. I've never woke up to a litter, but usually come home to a litter after work.
None of my rabbits follow the "rules." Maybe someone should read them Storey's Guide to Raising Rabbits.
When I raised rabbits as a young teen and young adult, my litters were always born at night. Since I've gotten back into rabbits the last couple years, all but one litter have been during the afternoon, evening, or late evening. So strange...
OneAcreFarm
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Most of mine go on Day 32, in the morning. Since I breed in the evening, it is technically still in day 31. Every once in a while, I get one that goes over. This month I had had a bunch go on Day 33 and one that went to day 36!
31-32 days is the most common but some have had does go to 36 and I've had a doe give birth to healthy kits more than a week early. I thought my dates were off until everyone else bred around the same time had kits at the proper date. A doe who goes early or late will tend to do so every time except the odd one here or there who normally is on time and decides for some reason not to be just once.
