| Common Problems |
| Still Birth Sometimes, for reasons too plentiful to list, one or all of the kindled kits may be still born. It is generally easy to tell which were stillborn by their positioning. Still born kits are usually slightly curled into the fetal position still. A kit that dies shortly after birthing is usually stretched out. Scattering This is most common among first time does but can sometimes be just poor mothering. When the doe kindles she may scatter the kits on the wire. If not found in time those kits will die of exposure. If you should come across scattered kits, don�t give them up for dead right away. Hold them for five minutes, completely enclosed in a hand against your body. If there is any movement the kit(s) needs to be fully warmed. This can be done with warm running water. Never get their nose under the water though. After warming with water dry with a warm towel, preferably one right out of the dryer. Once kits are warmed they should be put into the nest. If the doe did not make a nest, make one for her by making a hollow in the straw. Then hold the doe upside down and pull hair gently from her inner thighs and rump. Place the pulled hair in the hollow and put the kits in on top. Cover the kits over slightly with the nest materials. Cannibalism This is probably the hardest thing to deal with, especially if it happens to a long awaited litter. The occurance is luckily fairly low. The doe may cannibalize only one or up to all of the kits in a litter. The reasons vary. First time does may do it because they don�t understand what is going on. Other times it may be that something was wrong with the kit, does can sense that. If a doe is caught in the act, the remaining live kits should be removed from her care and fostered off if possible. If they cannot be fostered then they should be only put in the cage when it is time for them to nurse. |
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