Why Won't They Have Babies?!

[Bad Habit]

Three does. Two were due Dec 17th, one was due Dec 18th.

I can feel babies in the 2 due Dec 17th.

I've seen the doe due Dec 18th carrying around a mouthful of hay.

They're now on days 34 and 33 respectively, and I'm getting really nervous.

However, I have heard that a number of other breeders are having similar issues right now, and are blaming it on the shortness of the days. I've also heard that some people suspect that the shorter daylight hours are causing does to ovulate slower and actually conceive later(IE a doe bred on Nov 16th not actually conceiving until Nov 18th).

Either way, I've given them lavender and tums and will be adding some parsley when my dad gets home from the grocery store.

I just don't want to lose my does

 

[PSFAngoras]

I wouldn't have given them lavender. Everything I've read on it says it's pretty stong, and will typically cause contractions. If the kits aren't ready, you could be risking safety of the litter. I've known a doe to go 37 days before she kindled, and all eight kits and the doe were healthy. I myself have had does go on day 34 or 35, and everyone was fine.

 

[Bad Habit]

I wouldn't have given them lavender. Everything I've read on it says it's pretty stong, and will typically cause contractions. If the kits aren't ready, you could be risking safety of the litter. I've known a doe to go 37 days before she kindled, and all eight kits and the doe were healthy. I myself have had does go on day 34 or 35, and everyone was fine.

I would rather lose the kits and have the does be safe then worry that they've retained kits or have a stuck baby or go down to check and find them dead.

 

[grumpy]

If they run over, figure a small litter with big youngsters. Don't fret over it
because there's nothing you can do about it.

JUST.....leave them alone and go about your business. I had a doe kindle
late this week. She had 5 and they were "healthy"...She's okay and so are
the youngsters.

Without a minimum of 16-18 hours of light, the doe's won't ovulate like
they normally do.

 

[akane]

They will give birth when they are ready. Unless you see a problem they don't need anything to start contractions. Most of the time vets will not induce even when the animal is well past due date. Majority of the time the babies aren't ready to come out and that's why the female isn't giving birth. Animals and humans are only induced with good medical tests done to determine the maturity of the fetus and still often have more problems than letting it just happen.

 

[ckcs]

I had my first doe run over this week till day 34. All 8 were perfectly healthy and a great size.

 

[Silver Cloud]

5 of ours have went 33 and 34 days so far and no problems.

 

[Bad Habit]

I can't recall having a doe go longer than day 32... MAYBE day 33, but I don't think any longer than that. So I'm out of my experience level here .

Once more I get ready for bed and hope like heck that I wake up to live does and maybe babies.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Anything yet, Bad Habit? opcorn:

I have heard that does will often deliver a bit early in hot weather, and go later in cold weather. It could be that the fetuses don't grow as quickly since the doe has to put a lot of energy into keeping warm.

From my personal experience giving birth to my own children, I also believe that the size of the fetus(es) is also a factor. I am very petite, and all of my babies came about two weeks early according to the line development on the soles of their feet and the amount of vernix they had on them. I always joked that my body had a sensor and would suddenly declare "Maximum capacity has been reached!" and I would start labor.

I have nestboxes due to go in on Christmas Eve, and in the following days. I will be sure to add delivery dates and litter sizes when they kindle.

 

[Bad Habit]

Still nothing. I rebred Cat this morning, she lifted sky high for Theon. So I figure either she kindles in the next couple days, or in about 31 days.

These guys are in the house, under artificial light, which should negate the heat/light factors. In fact, both of my does outside kindled on time.

Oh well. Off to shuffle rabbits around so I can bring Elsa and her litter in the house. I need those kits for Easter Rentals.

 

[Comet007]

I hope everything ends up well with your does. Speaking of doctors not even inducing humans - with my first child, we KNEW the date of conception, and she was due Nov 27th - my doctor waited until Dec 23rd to induce me. I had trouble gaining weight and he kept wanting the baby to get bigger. She didn't and is now only 5' tall. LOL.

Personally, I have an herbal mix to help dilate the birth canal and stimulate labor, and would likely give it in small amounts by day 34 if my buns hadn't delivered. I've only used the herbs once, and it was with a doe who had delivered but looked like she might have something stuck. I know that there are different ways of looking at it, but I'm with you that I would rather risk the babies than the doe. Just one other opinion.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I have nestboxes due to go in on Christmas Eve, and in the following days. I will be sure to add delivery dates and litter sizes when they kindle.

Update; I had a mini Rex kindle four yesterday, but sadly even though the doe had made a nest and pulled some fur, they were all chilled and did not make it. I had one revive for a short time, but he died anyway.

This morning I have a litter of eight healthy popples out of a Rex doe.

Two more mini Rex are still due. One has made a nest and seems to think it is solely for her own comfort, while the other has done nothing at all with hers yet.