0
Rabbit Breeding & Reproduction
Pregnant, nursing, and infant rabbits require very special care. This category is for all questions about rabbit breeding, pregnancy, birth, fertility, mating habits, and the care and behavior of pregnant rabbits and their nursing babies.
684 Questions
How many rabbits can a rabbit have at once?
Well no body really can count but they are endangered so the number is declining
What should you do when your pet rabbit is pregnant?
Pregnancy can be detected ten to fourteen days after mating. Physical palpation is the most common and accurate way breeders determine if a doe is pregnant. Between the tenth and fourteenth day of gestation, the fetuses grow rapidly, making them detectable by touch to the experience breeder.
The doe receives no special care prior to detection of her pregnancy. once it's determined that a doe is pregnant, some breeder gradually increase her feed until two days before kindling (birth), then they decrease it.
It's important not to over-feed a doe before or during a pregnancy. obesity can make kindling difficult and can make it difficult for the doe to become pregnant in the first place. Internal fat can build up around the fallopian tubes and block eggs from descending.
Around twenty-seven days after mating, the doe needs a nest box, a place in which she will give birth and care for her young. The nest box should be clean, well ventilated, dry, filled with nesting material, and not too big or too small. The American Rabbit Breeders Association recommends that a nest box be about 2 inches longer than the doe in sitting position and 2 inches wider than the doe in the same position. A doe will foul (urinate and defecate in) a nest box that is too large.
Kindling
Kits are usually born in the quiet of the night, thirty-one or so days after conception. The doe licks and cleans each kit as he or she is born, and then the doe eats the placenta. A wise breeder leaves the dam (a mother rabbit) to her business and doesn't disturb her. Disturbing the new mother can stress and frighten her and her young. The next day, the breeder checks the dam and litter and removes any kits born dead. There are usually two to twelve kits in a litter depending on the breed--small breeds have smaller litters than large breeds. Newborn rabbits are extremely helpless. They're born without much fur, their ability to move is limited, and their eyes and ears are closed.
Lactation
The dam produces milk suited especially for her growing youngsters. The first few days she supplies the young with a "first milk" that contains substances to protect the vulnerable kits from disease. Though blind and without hearing, the kits have a sharp sense of smell, which is how they find the doe's nipples: the kits smell the milk. The young rabbits nurse once or twice a day until they are weaned several weeks later. Lactating is demanding for the doe. Breeders must pay close attention to her to ensure that she is eating and drinking properly to keep up milk production and to prevent nursing problems.
Weaning
The young rabbits grow and thrive under the doe's care. Their eyes open at about ten days, and they're out of the nest box at three weeks of age. As soon as the youngsters are out and about, they can start nibbling on pellets. Weaning, the time to stop nursing and be separated from the doe, usually occurs at about eight weeks of age, sometimes later in large breeds. This, too, can be a stressful time period, and breeders take special care of the doe and young to prevent difficulties.
An excerpt from:
Guidry, Virginia. Rabbits: the Key to Understanding Your Rabbit. BowTie Press, California. 2001
*Please note:
1) It is normal for the doe to spend most of her time away from the nest, so as not to attract predators, so do not be alarmed at this behaviour.
2) Some mother rabbits will eat their young from fear if they are handled before their eyes are open; so as exciting as it is, try not to handle the new family for approximately two weeks.
3) Once baby rabbits are weaned give them unlimeted pellets and hay also no fruits and vegies until at least 7 months the start feeding small amounts of lettec and no fruit until they are 1 year.
Okay ya right i am a breder of mini rex rabbits and when you ween them give them pellets and hay nothing else and keep one or 2 of moms poo pellets in the nest box as the kits will nible them and get valubale bactirea for there digestive tract.
Taking care of a pregnant rabbit is very easy, but there is some things you should know first.
Make sure the doe is out of the bucks cage, or else when the babies are born the buck will attack her and the babies. But if they are already in seperate cages then...great.
NESTING BOX
Ok, I hope you have a nesting box in the cage for the mother or else she will give birth on the wire and the babies will freeze. You can easily build a nesting box with 2 pieces of wood but just make sure there is no nails sticking out. The box should be a little bigger then the doe so she has enough room for her plus the kits.
MATERIALS
You need to provide nesting material so she can make a nest. This is most important. Iv always used tons of hay, a blanket or towel, newspaper, and woodchips. You can use any of these things but i find hay most important. The Doe will also use its fur to line the nest but more materials are neccesery.
FOOD/WATER
Your rabbit, just like any other pregnant creature needs lots of food. She will be eating more then she ever has for the 1st 3 weeks. On the last week before the babies are born she'l cut down on eating a little. Dont be worried if she doesnt eat or drink anything at all about 2 days before she has the babies. After the babies are born she will be drinking ALOT of water so provide alot of water for her.
- Usually the doe will give birth when no ones around. Mine have always gave birth late at night and some right in the middle of the day. Well whenever no one is around. Remember rabbits can hear VERY well so they can hear and sence you. They can hold off giving birth up to 8 hours, but this isnt healthy so give your rabbit some extra privacy.
- When the kits are born they will probably be burried deep under fur and any other materials. You usually would never have to help the doe with anything because rabbits give birth fast and easy.
- Never touch the rabbits untill their eyes are open and they have fur. The only reason you should ever have to hold a rabbit under age is if the doe gives birth on the cage wire. Then you pet the doe with both hands alot to get her scent on you and carefully lift the kit into the box. (be careful they are very squirrmy!) and the mother may be very protective and attack so you may have to take her out of the cage.
Thats all you do, its very simpe and easy. :) good luck and I hope you have as much fun with the kits as I did!
Baby rabbits drink their mother's milk, i.e. rabbit milk. If the baby rabbit is domestic and orphaned, you can try feeding it Kitten Milk Replacer (KRM); if the rabbit is wild, use goat milk. However, it can be very, very difficult to hand-raise rabbits, especially if you aren't experienced. If you find yourself in charge of an orphaned baby rabbit, do lots of research and contact local experts in your area. See the related link below for a place to start.
Will a baby rabbit survive on its own if removed at one month from mom?
Yes you can with gentle supplies
What time of year do male and female rabbits mate?
Rabbits can mate at any time of the year. There is no specific set time, although it is more common to see young rabbits in the spring and summer months. In July. Other times rabbits mate are August, September, October, November, December, January, February, March, April, May and June. Rabbits give birth one month after mating and are ready to get pregnant almost instantly after birth.
How do you give food to a baby rabbit?
A 2 month old bunny should be fully weaned and therefore can be fed unlimited commercial pellets and hay until they reach 8 months. Greens should be slowly introduced over the next few weeks, starting with small amounts and gradually building up variety and amount.
When the bunny reaches 8 months - 12 months pellets should be reduced to a small amount each day while Hay and Vegetables become the primary foods.
Hay should always be available, fresh every day in unlimited amounts, the same goes for fresh water!
Can a rat make a rabbit pregnant?
Humans are only able to reproduce with other humans; there are no human-animal hybrids, at least not yet. Who knows, genetic engineers may create them some day.
Would a squirrel behead a wild baby rabbit?
No, because even if it was a baby rabbit it could still run fast, but it's also possible because squirrels also run fast
Can a baby rabbit live without a tail?
Baby rabbits can live without a nest as long as it is warm enough. The nest is for warmth and protection, but sometimes if the cage is warm enough, like in summer or if the cage is inside, the mother rabbit will just make a little depression for her babies and not pull any fur to line it. If you want her to make a nest, give her some straw or hay and she will probably build one.
Female rabbits do come into season, but it is prompted by the presence of the male. When he breeds he, she releases her eggs and typically will get pregnant.
How do you care for a mother who has lost all of her pups?
Oh, this is so sad! I'm sorry she lost all of her pups. She will have to go through a grieving process. She will usually get over it quick. If she has good milk and she was not the reason for the pups to die, then you might see if there is a rescue or shelter in your area that have orphaned pups needing a mom. Sometimes it works out that way. If not, give her plenty of attention. Do not give her too much food. If her milk does not dry up then she could get a very bad and painful infection. Many breeders will drastically cut the dog's food at this time. I think that is too much. In my experience, just cut back to adult food (not puppy food), and give her just a little less than her normal (non-pregnant, non nursing) food would be. For example, if she normally ate about 3 cups of dry food a day before she was pregnant, then try giving her two. I would not go lower than two unless she is really full with milk and uncomfortable and the 2 cups did not help. You can also try calling to see if the vet would want to give her a shot that can help her get through this a little faster. Watch for signs of infection -- infection in the milk glands is the main concern. Feel every day, twice a day at least, to look for signs of infection: heat, redness, swelling, lumps. Sometimes all there is is a hard lump, other times the dog's teats will feel very hot all over or in certain places -- she can get an infection in just one gland, not usually in all of them. Other times she may have a fever. YOu can take her temperature with a normal (human) rectal thermometer. Use a little vaseline or K-Y jelly to make it easier for your dog, and have someone hold her still so she cannot hurt herself or you. Don't do this if your dog is not gentle with being handled in delicate places. Her temperature is normal at around 101., anywhere between 100.5 and 101.5 -- I would call the vet if it goes up to 102 at home. A fever indicates an infection and must be treated by a veterinarian asap.
Your love and attention is what she needs to get over the loss of the pups, but your nursing care is very important to be sure she doesn't get very sick from making too much milk that isn't being used by her pups, or by having a uterine infection.
Amy (thedogshrink)
What are some signs of being pregnant after giving birth?
Having a one year old baby, it is not too long ago that I gave birth. There are immediate after efeects, and some that take a more longer term approach! The immediate: *Depending on whether you had drugs during the birth, if you did you will most likely feel extremely sick and probably vomit, and stay quite drowsy for an hour. This means you will be less likely to hold your baby straight away nor be able to breastfeed it there and then (as you will be too woosey). This happened to me. Also, you will be very bruised and sore on your arms/hands from where they have jabbed you a million times to get the drugs in! (Even if you only have Gas and Air you will probably still be sick. Unfortunately I do not know what happens after a c section or an epidural(my birth was very straight forward). But as soon as it is gone you feel 100%, and it only takes about 1 hour. *The most noticeable after effect is the soreness around the area where the baby exited! Your perineum. I did not have to have it cut, nor did it split, therefore I had no stitches, but it was still extremely sore and uncomfortable to sit on. It is worse when you go to urinate, the urine burns the sensitive skin. So I combatted this by drinking large amounts of water so my urine was nearly water itslef. Also, standing slightly to pee over the toilet helps, or even going whilst in the bath(gross I know but trust me you won't care!) *You also become strangely emotional, as all the new hormones start to kick the old ones out. This is very normal, and not so bad. Just remember that if it starts to get on top of you, talk to someone, husband, mum, sis, health visitor, midwife. *If you are going to breast feed you breasts will be ok, a little uncomfortable whilst your body gets used to the amount of milk the baby is taking. If you are not going to breast feed, be prepared for your breasts to swell up, and feel as solid as rocks. They will also go lumpy, which if not looked after can lead to mastitis. This is very uncomfortable, but unfortunatley I do not know how long it lasts as I breast fed. I do know what it feels like to have them swell up and become like rocks, as I dropped a feed later on around 11 months, and didn't do it properly. My breast swelled up, and I ended up expressing the milk myself over my mums bath as it was getting quite painfull. The idea is to do it slowly, a little at a time! *You also seem to sweat alot, which also dies down after a few months. So don't worry. *The next one lasts a bit longer. Even if you did your pelvic floor exercises you will still notice that you can not hold your bladder as full for as long! So when you need to go, go then, because chances are you won't make it. And when you sneeze, laugh too hard, run upstairs you are most likely going to notice that you have gone to the toilet right there and then without knowing! So keep on with the pelvic floors, they get stronger - just avoid trampolines trust me! Also, and nice side effect is that your hair seems like you've just step out of a 4day intensive nourishment treatment, and you nails are lovely and strong and long! Your eyes are brighter, and your skin is really healthy! The thing is, you forget all this stuff once it is over, it is just a distant memory, and what you have left is a beautiful baby! what a lovely answer. I am a midwife, and Mum of twins. Tired, tired tired. Both immediately and for several months afterwards. You may find that your emotions are a little raw, everything seems much more intensely coloured. If you find that the colour is dark however do talk to someone as you may be heading for depression. A few tears are normal however, usually as you contemplate hgoiw lucky you are. If anyone asks if they can help, say YES as quickly as you can. Visitors can make their own cup of tea/coffee. If someone offers to do the shopping have a list ready. If they can do the ironing, you can still chat while they do it. Make a sign saying "All help greatfully received and rewarded with a baby cuddle." If the Dad wants to help, show him what to do and leave him to get on with it while you have a nap.
Can a 10 week bunny have baby bunnies?
i have 2 rabbitts they are about a month old it looked like they were mating are they to young to have babbies
10 weeks is WAY to young to have babies but by the time they are 12 weeks to 14 weeks old they very well could get pregnant (It is still too young for them to breed.) Rabbits should be at least 6 months old or reach mature rabbit weight for their breed before they get pregnant. Month old babies are too young to be mating. They are probably older than a month. They are role playing and trying to establish dominance.
Why your rabbit gave birth to only one baby?
Rabbit litter sizes can vary, there is really nothing abnormal about giving birth to only one baby rabbit. However, it is also true that the amount of food a rabbit has to eat can influence the number of babies they have. If you want your rabbit to have more babies, feed it more food.
Why do male rabbits have two penises?
either a mental defect or they may mistake a common male for a female. NO it is not a sign of male dominance. (i know this because i work on a farm that raises rabbits, chicken, duck and cow)
What is the age you cant breed a rabbit at?
they usually have to be 3 months old as one of mine are 3 and a half months old and she is pregnant and the male is 4 months so the male has to be 3 months or over.
You should NEVER breed a rabbit until it is 6 months old or has reached mature weight. To breed before is to risk stunting your rabbits growth and your do dieing during kindleing.
Can you take the baby rabbit out at 8 days old?
No, 8 weeks is too young to spay a rabbit because she isn't sexually mature yet. Female rabbits can be spayed as young as 4 months, but surgery is risky on such a young rabbit so most vets prefer to wait until about 6 months before spaying a rabbit.
Male rabbits can be neutered once their testicles descend, usually around 4 months. The neuter surgery is much less invasive than the spay surgery.
Why does my female rabbit run and screem when the male trys to mate with her?
Yes and do not take her away when he is trying or try to make her stay still or she will bite you as this happend a few minutes ago to me ]:
When are female rabbits in season?
No, 2 years is WAY too long to wait. For a dwarf rabbit (such as Lionheads) It should be about somewhere between 5 and 6 months for females 6 to 7 for males. medium sizes like new zealands, it should be about 7 to 8 for females and big breeds such as an angora should be 9 to a year old for females.
When do baby mice open their eyes and do you wean them before or after?
mice' eyes open at aprox. two weeks. they need to be able to nurse for at least a month before separated from their mothers.
What kind of disease do baby rabbit carry?
Baby rabbits are like any other animal -- other than genetically inherited disorders and diseases, they carry diseases from their environment.
If you are inquiring about what sort of diseases rabbits can carry, check out the related links.
