rabbit made nest last week

[s7ephanie]

but still no babies - i took the male out after a few days
. This would have been her 2nd litter although the 1st litter all died betwee 6-8 weeks, so 2 questions
why the nest? will she still have the babies
and if she does how do i stop them from dying
thank you

 

[Bunnylady]

Sorry, my crystal ball is in the shop for repairs!

Sorry again, I couldn't help that.^ Seriously, I don't know what your doe's pattern is, as far as nest-making. Most of my girls make a nest just a few days before kindling, but I have had a few that would start as much as ten days to two weeks ahead. Usually, though, a doe that makes a nest at 14 - 21 days "gestation" is ending a false pregnancy, and there never were any babies (or they were reabsorbed.) So your girl may or may not still be pregnant.

I'm going to be no help at all on the second part of your question. I hardly ever have babies to die at 6 - 8 weeks. Usually, if mine make it out of the nestbox, they are good to go! I'm thinking maybe coccidia? Without knowing more about what happened the first time, I don't know what to suggest.

 

[chinbunny]

What symptoms did the babies have when they died at 6 weeks? How long ago was it? And what brand of feed were you feeding them? reason why I am asking is a lot of us lost babies at that age this year to either a virus. Or something toxic in the corn in the feed. The later is most likely what caused the deaths.

When you rebred her did you mark it down when she was due? Some does will go 32 days, and will build a nest a week ahead of time. Sometimes its a false pregnancy. Others it could be a retained litter. If she wasn't able to have have babies she'd be really distressed, moody, and would probably go off her feed. put the nest box in when it comes close to 32 days. If she doesn't have them by then, try rebreeding again.

 

[s7ephanie]

hi
thaks for replies.
the 1st litter i just found them dead from about 5 weeks o - they were still in the hutch with mum and i used to feed her pellets and fresh veg (carrots, grees etc) i thought she was laying on them and killing them so the last 3 i bought into the house and fed them veg but they seemed healthy but one day they just went very lethargic and just died.
This was last year -
Last month i out both bunnies in the barn while i cleaned their hutches, but the neting between them fell down, they were together for about 4 days, i finally put boy back in hutch and worked out that bunnies would be due about 4-6th jan, she made nest new years eve but still no sign of babies - she is still eating normally
thank you

 

[chinbunny]

Quote:
The babies got some of the veggies right? Sorry, but veggies aren't good for baby bunnies. They aren't supposed to have greens until they turn about six months. Don't give them any more when they have their babies. Not nutritionally necessary. They can cause alot of problems. All they need is good fresh grass hay, and good quality pellets.

 

[s7ephanie]

thank you for that - i was actually grating carrots thinking they were good for them

 

[kuntrygirl]

i have had 4 litters so far and have never had any deaths. i always know when they breed because for the most part they are kept separate. i always document on the calendar the day they breed, so i know when she is about to make her nest. i put her netsing box out about 1 week before it's time for her to give birth. the mom usually makes her nest about a week or less before she gives birth. when the babies come, they are always healthy. i continue to feed the mom quality pellets, hay and have fresh water. once the babies start walking around, they start to nibble on the pellets as well. i do not put any other food in for the rabbits during this time. it is strictly pellets, hay and water. i have been raising rabbits for years and i have never had any deaths due to sickness or other wise.

as far as a possible false pregancy, i think that she is suffering from symptoms of a false pregancy. i did a search online about false pregancy with rabbits and this is what i found, please see the link below. i hope this helps. keep us posted.


http://wiki.answers.com/Q/If_your_f...now_there_is_nothing_was_it_a_false_pregnancy

 

[CoopCrazy]

She could be in a false pregnancy ?? I have heard that if they are "Stimulated" then they can feel that they are pregnant and even make a nest and milk...

 

[bargain]

I don't know where you are...But a constructed new nest box might help....Be sure that the cage is free from drafts and you have a lot of great hay around the nest box as well.

Be sure to have adquate water and food at all times for the mother.

If you know when youy remated her and there's no babies after a while, then you should remate her.


Best of luck and happy babies. We had 5 mothers have their babies this week and it was quite an adventure!

Keep us posted!

 

[chinbunny]

Quote:
i wouldn't self feed the doe. Increases her chances of having problems having the babies by becoming overweight(or getting too much fat on her ovaries), and getting masititus. Best thing to do is to feed her the normal ration. Then cut in half the day she kindles. Continue to feed the half ration with some grass hay for about a week. Then increase to self feed. Many people seem to think you have to self feed your does during their pregnancy and right after they kindle. Thats not true. It can easily lead to more problems.

Yes carrots are not nutritionally necessary for them. they are high in starch and sugars. Most vegetables are not good for them. I wouldn't beat yourself up over it though, because you didn't know. A lot of people make the same mistake. They do make nice treats now and then.

I would suggest getting ahold of the ARBA book the guidebook to raising better rabbits and cavies. that should help oyu out with the breeding and feeding practices.