Holy Cow!!!!

furholler · #1 04/01/08, 04:14 PM

One of our does had 13 kits the other night! So, how many can a typical doe nurse? It has been about 3 days and all the young ones are still kicking. We have another doe due today, and we were thinking that if she has just a few, we might give some of the other ones to her?

pixieduster · #2 04/01/08, 05:02 PM

I haven't raised rabbits personally, but as I understand it 8 is the highest they can nurse without someone getting shorted. The scenario you suggested should work as long as mom #2 is willing. My parents had 2 does they always breed close together, one had large litters (12+), they second had 3-4 at a time but would raise any babies they gave her. She was the only one to earn a name, Foster. Good luck.
Amity

jil101ca · #3 04/01/08, 05:38 PM

My does have nursed up to 12 without loosing any.

MaggieJ · #4 04/01/08, 05:50 PM

Many rabbits raise more than eight kits sucessfully. Eight nipples are standard, but some rabbits have more. Baby rabbits do not latch onto one nipple and nurse there the whole time the momma is with them... they move about, changing nipples. This allows all of them to get some milk, even with large litters.

Even so, if your second doe has fewer than eight kits, you may want to even up the litters. Since the foster rabbits are older than the other rabbits, you may want to transfer the smaller ones. They would have a better chance to hold their own against kits 3 - 4 days younger than against their own siblings. Just my opinion.

Otter · #5 04/01/08, 07:12 PM

Lots of people even up, but I've seen does raise 14 fat sassy bunnies all by her lonesome. Feed her plenty and she should be fine.

furholler · #6 04/01/08, 09:09 PM

Like I said, they all seem fine for now. We'll just have to keep our eye on them. Personally, I am curious to see if she can raise all of these. But my daughter may want to foster a few.

furholler · #7 04/01/08, 09:10 PM

Sorry. Thanks for the great advice y'all.

General Brown · #8 04/01/08, 11:53 PM

Let her raise them and keep back a couple of the does. It would be a great investment for your rabbitry.

MaggieJ · #9 04/02/08, 07:51 AM

General Brown has a good idea there -- provided the chosen doelings shape up the way you want. I had a doe who always kindled 11 - 13, and I grew out several of her kits thinking to get good replacement does. I never ended up keeping any of them. I sold one to a local fellow who was just getting started in meat rabbits and he said she did well, but I found all the kits from that doe's litter inherited her nervousness and long, lanky body type. I eventually culled the whole line and saved doelings from the other doe who only kindles 6 - 8 but who has better conformation and a better nature. Her daughter produces litters of nine.

I guess what I am trying to say is that litter size of the mother is only one of many characteristics that I look for when growing out possible replacement does.

furholler · #10 04/02/08, 09:33 PM

This goes to show how weak I am on genetics. I had never thought to keep a couple of does. We only have one buck that will do his thing right now and he's the daddy. The other one is too fat and lazy.

SILEIGH · #11 04/03/08, 06:40 AM

fur holler- 13 is so cool!! i was so excited over my first litter of 10!! 13 would be awsome

as far as breeding dad to daughter if its just for meat there are no issues and it can improve your line
lots of people inbreed for improvement being careful to keep only the best of the best.inbreeding can also bringout the bad traits so you just have to be aware of what you want.

search : line breeding and inbreeding in the forum search
tons of info, pros and cons

furholler · #12 04/03/08, 09:09 PM

Great! Thanks.