Pregnant rabbit not nesting

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Sienatiger

Sienatiger

Chirping
5 Years
Aug 7, 2014
180
8
61
With the girls!
Hi! My bunny Lilac is 28 days pregnant and is still not nesting. I know that this is still kind of early, but I'm so exited for the kits! So she is for sure pregnant and I think that I saw some kits kicking the other day. I put the nest box in today, but she is just sitting in it. Is there any way to get them to want to nest? If not, how long until she'll nest?
thanks!!!!
 
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Sienatiger said:
Hi! My bunny Lilac is 28 days pregnant and is still not nesting. I know that this is still kind of early, but I'm so exited for the kits! So she is for sure pregnant and I think that I saw some kits kicking the other day. I put the nest box in today, but she is just sitting in it. Is there any way to get them to want to nest? If not, how long until she'll nest?
PS:She is for sure pregnant
thanks!!!!
Click to expand...
Many/most/all does build a complete nest with fur when the kits are born. At least, mine always did.
 
Does can be all over the road as to just what they do and when. By day 28, most does will do some digging in corners (they would be digging a burrow if they were on the ground). Most will pick hay up in their mouths and carry it to their chosen nest site, though some may pull it all out and try someplace different. They usually don't start pulling fur until just before or just after the babies are born.

But every doe is different, and until you've seen a doe do whatever she does, you can't be sure. I had a doe that started pulling fur on day 21, and continued until she kindled on day 32 - by which time she was almost completely bald. At the other end of the scale, I had one doe that would completely ignore the nest box and materials until just a few minutes before she kindled - then hoo, boy, watch her go to town!

And just to keep things interesting, most of my does continue to pull fur for several days after the kits arrive, particularly in cold weather.
 
Thank you so much! I really appreciate the detailed response. Lilac is a first time mom, so I don't know about her nesting routine. It is day 29 and she still hasn't picked up a single piece of hay. I placed a nest box in with a bunch of hay, and she has been eating the hay all day and sitting in the box. She has also been pooping in it, and even peed in it once. Do you think that she will start nesting tomorrow? And if she is due Thursday, on day 31, should I expect the kits Friday, or Thursday morning? Thanks again for all the help! @Bunnylady
 
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If she is a first timer it may take her by surprise. If that happens, she will most likely pull fur after they are born. If she doesn't pull fur, you can do it for her. Pretty easy to pluck due to hormones. Most breeders try to keep a few handfuls of fur around for this purpose.
 
thanks! She hasn't even begun making her nest with hay yet. it is now day 30, and am doubting that she is pregnant. What do you think? I tried palpating at 14 days, but it is my first time, and I was not sure. I thought I felt a few in there though. Thanks again! @Weehopper
 
Sounds like she isn't pregnant, but leave the box in for a few more days, to be sure. Then, if nothing happens, remove the box and let her visit the buck again. I always liked to let the buck breed her two or three times, if there is no fighting, before I removed the doe. I was never good at palpating either. Just be sure to mark your calendar, and put the nest box in three days befor the due date.Good luck!
 

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