The act of giving birth is called kindling in rabbits. A doe kindles on average on day 31 after breeding. There are many preparations to be made when a doe is pregnant leading up to the actual event.
The doe must be kept in a stress free environment. The doe if too stressed, feels threatened, or isn't getting the adequate nutrition she can in the early end of the pregnancy can absorb and/or lose the kits. She should be kept on a normal feeding schedule but should be provided with plenty of fresh hay and water to keep all of her bodily functions regulated. The interaction with your doe must stay normal. Provide plenty of time with her if that is your normal schedule with the doe. There MUST NOT be any rough handling or horseplay during her gestation period.
At 28 days after breeding the doe should be placed in a cage suitable for her to kindle in. It should not be too hot or too cold. You must provide the doe with a nestbox as well. The nestbox should be filled with pine shavings, newspaper (shredded), or hay. With that material before she is ready to kindle she will construct a nest by arranging the hay (prefered) or other materials to her liking. She will then pull hay from her body lining the nest with it. You will then see the doe jump into the nest box and stand over the nest. You can then see her lower abdomin contract as she gives birth. After each kit (baby rabbit) is born she will clean them, removing the placenta and umbilical cord as well as licking them clean to stimulate breathing. The whole procees may only take minutes. Shortly after birth or at least by 72 hours after birth she should let the kits nurse. She will probably only nurse the kits once for 10 minutes a day. Do not be alarmed if you don't see her nurse because she if most likely nursing them at night. Only worry if they appear to be malnurished meaning their stomachs are not round and fat as they should be. If that is the case you can either transfer the kits to another doe that had only a couple of kits (must be within 3 days of that doe kindling and the kit must not be over 3 days as well) or you can try buying specially made rabbit formula out of a bottle like you would do for a kitten or puppy that will not nurse. For information on caring for the doe and kits after birth visit my post-kindling page (Kit Care). |
