Question about rabbit and possible pregnancy problem

[myrna loveless]

Hi. I just signed up I have a question I am hoping someone can help me with.

I am new to owning rabbits, So I bought 7 bunnies, what I thought to be 3 females and 4 males. I keep males/females separated, but made the mistake of believing the people where I bought them from on the sex of each. went out yesterday and found 7 babies in the boys home. 5 were dead and 2 alive. that point I realized that there was a problem with genders. (obviously) sexed all the rabbits myself and now know I have 5 females and 2 males! she later killed the last 2 babies.
I also noticed that the other female that had been in with the boys had started pulling fur, I now have her alone in the area where she started a nest. Today there is a lot of fur in the nest and she is cranky!! she is usually friendly and today when I was replacing her water she growled and charged at me. so I am assuming she is pregnant. ( felt her belly, but couldn't feel anything, though I have no idea what it feels like anyway) and getting ready to deliver. My question is.. every time I go check on her she is not moving around much which I would expect. but she is making this crying sound that has me a little concerned... I have done research and watched videos but have found nothing about a rabbit making these crying noises when giving birth, is this normal or is she having problems?

 

[JaeG]

@Bunnylady - can you help?

 

[Squishychicken]

is this the rabbit that already had tbe babies?

 

[myrna loveless]

No, the one that had the babies yesterday killed the 2 that I had found alive. I thought maybe the ones that were already dead was an accident from her or because there was other rabbits in with her. but after separating her and her babies from the others, she killed both of them within a couple hours.

This is the other female who was in the wrong cage. I think she is pregnant or she thinks she is. she is getting more aggressive as the day goes on, she has gone from growling and making the crying noise to charging and hitting out with her front feet as well. her nest is done and she has a huge amount of fur in there now. I am trying not to stress her out more so I haven't examined her, Im not sure if this behavior is normal or when I should expect her to deliver or even if its something else going on all together.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Could also be a false pregnancy. You should know within a day if she delivers some babies. She may not feel safe in her new home. My doe got cranky when pregnant but not aggressive.

 

[Bunnylady]

The behavior you are describing is more typical of a rabbit that has given birth rather than one that's about to. Most of my does don't pull fur until they are about to kindle. Some of my does might pull a little bit of fur a few days before, but when I see a lot of fur in a nest box, I expect to find babies under it. Of course, each doe has her own way of doing things, and until you have some experience with one particular doe, you can't be sure what she will do - I had one Jersey Wooly doe who started fur pulling a full 10 days before she was due, and continued until she was almost completely bald.

Most does become "touch-me-nots" when they are pregnant, but only a few of mine have become real dragons once the litter is born. Sometimes they relax with time, sometimes they don't.

 

[myrna loveless]

I haven't looked under the fur, I dont want to stress her out any more than she already is, not seeing any movement. if nothing changes by this afternoon I will risk my fingers and take a peek.

 

[Squishychicken]

wear some gloves it may save you a finger...or use a stick

 

[Bunnylady]

wear some gloves it may save you a finger...or use a stick

When dealing with a dragon, I do one of two things: either I take her out of the cage so I can check the nest without risking bloodshed, or I fish the nest box to the front of the cage so I can use the box itself to block the doe. I think checking is most important, but I won't "engage" with a doe that is just being a good, protective mother.

 

[myrna loveless]

I looked under all the fur and nothing there...used a stick like suggested, she attacked it and by the time she realized i was messing with her nest I was done. she is still charging and growling but I was able to check her, not feeling anything in the stomach and when I was done messing with her I offered her a piece of apple which she ate.. so at this point I dont know if she is really pregnant or just confused and in a really bad mood. going to leave her housed alone for awhile and see what happens.