Hi, all - new to rabbits kindling (had them as pets many times, but now we're raising them for meat) - our one doe had one just smack dab in the middle of the outside run and was running in circles around it. The nest box had been in with her for nearly 10 days, but she never even went inside.
Anyway, she had the one kit about 5pm today (1 Sept in New Zealand), and it's now nearly 10pm, and nothing anymore. The kit is getting weaker and colder, in spite of our attempts to give it some kitten (as in cat) milk replacer and keep it warm in our hands. It's back with the mum, but she's busy scratching a new nest in the box we have her in in the house. I can feel several more kits moving around inside...
We're beginning to doubt whether the first one will make it...
Is this usual? I've read that a good scare will kind of freak out the expecting doe, and she'll do things like the above. We had a tremendously loud windstorm last night - might that have had something to do with it? Do we see how she does with the rest of the kittens and then give her another chance at rearing a litter?
Thanks for any advice. ?
Andrea
NZ
Anyway, she had the one kit about 5pm today (1 Sept in New Zealand), and it's now nearly 10pm, and nothing anymore. The kit is getting weaker and colder, in spite of our attempts to give it some kitten (as in cat) milk replacer and keep it warm in our hands. It's back with the mum, but she's busy scratching a new nest in the box we have her in in the house. I can feel several more kits moving around inside...
We're beginning to doubt whether the first one will make it...
Is this usual? I've read that a good scare will kind of freak out the expecting doe, and she'll do things like the above. We had a tremendously loud windstorm last night - might that have had something to do with it? Do we see how she does with the rest of the kittens and then give her another chance at rearing a litter?
Thanks for any advice. ?
Andrea
NZ