How long do does nurse their kits?

Oxankle · #1 01/30/12, 06:24 PM

Here's a question I've never seen the answer to. When a doe has kits, how long will she nurse them?

If she is re-bred at once, as she might be in nature, when will she kick off the previous litter?

If she is caged and bred again after her kits are a month old, when will she quit nursing the first litter?

Suppose she is bred again two weeks after the first litter--how long will she nurse the first?

Does this differ doe-to-doe? Do some does nurse longer than others?

I know that cottontails are on their own the moment their eyes open--they are no bigger than a tangerine when they go out into the world. How about these European rabbits?

a7736100 · #2 01/30/12, 11:08 PM

I have a doe that have nurse up to 3 months. She'll also nurse other's kits even if they are 3 weeks old. Other does might kill strange kits that old.

akane · #3 01/31/12, 01:24 AM

It differs a little by doe. If bred back to back in a colony type setting they will wean somewhere around 3 weeks because they have to save up milk and colostrum for when their current litter is 4-5weeks and the next one comes. I breed back to back a lot so long as the doe is in great condition because they breed so much easier right after kindling and I've seen no negatives in health from it yet provided they are fed really well so I generally pull kits at 4 weeks to put with a calm adult and then in to the colony at 6weeks until butchering/selling.

If bred any time after kindling instead of back to back they usually wean closer to 5 weeks even if you wait until the kits are 4 weeks old so the next litter isn't born until they are 8weeks. Some will keep on nursing to 6 or 7weeks and many still wean at 3-4weeks so you never know. Some just like to give them the break by waiting 2 weeks even if the kits are weaned at 4 weeks.

Oxankle · #4 01/31/12, 03:41 PM

I appreciate the input. I've never studied that aspect of raising rabbits, but I know that you cannot let a calf suck until the next calf comes along. I'll pull the kits two weeks before the next litter is due.

arachyd · #5 01/31/12, 06:05 PM

I had a doe with back-to-back litters due to an escape. She nursed the first litter all during the pregnancy and when the 2nd litter was kindled she kept them apart from the first litter. She nursed both litters until the kits were eating and drinking well on their own at about 6 (if I remember correctly) weeks then she only nursed the 2nd litter. Funny, she didn't have the usual harassment from the first litter does endure when kits pester them for milk at weaning age. They took right to pellets, hay and oats with no hesitation. She was in a 10' long hutch with plenty of space to keep the litters apart. She had a good, long rest after that.

MaggieJ · #6 01/31/12, 06:26 PM

As far as I can tell, it depends on the doe and also on circumstances. I've had does where I had to pull the kits off the teat at 8 weeks and others that wean promptly at 3-4 weeks. What amazes me is how little difference it makes!

I prefer to let the doe set the weaning date... I figure she knows better than I do what works for her kits. Letting the doe decide seems to take all the worry and stress out of the process (and it is a process and not an event) and gives the kits their best start.

akane · #7 01/31/12, 08:41 PM

There are always individuals. I've seen horse mares nursing 3 years olds before which can damage the udders but despite any pain and the constant harassment for 3 years they let them continue. It's not average though. Like rabbits most will kick the foal off at the next foal or about time the next foal would be born if they'd been bred.

Oxankle · #8 02/01/12, 08:40 AM

Strange, is it not? As a boy I saw mothers nursing two year old kids. I suppose it is highly individual.

Nevertheless, I am going to pull the kits at four weeks. They are all at the buffet table with their mama.

Mosherd1 · #9 02/01/12, 08:46 AM

When you say "back to back breedings" are you referring to giving birth and mating again on the same day?

akane · #10 02/01/12, 09:09 AM

At least within a couple days but in colony a buck may be on a doe before she's finished cleaning her kits and making her nest. A few have had it end up with dead kits from destroyed nests because the buck was too eager. I've never had that problem with mine but I can always tell when someone has popped out a litter before I even check the colony boxes. Arinsu will be all over that doe and she's usually bred and grunting unhappily at him by then so less than 48hrs.