| Fur lined nest of newborns |
| Doe Gathering Nest Material |
| ~KINDLING~ |
| In the wild when a doe kindles (gives birth), it is usually done in the early hours of the morning. The rabbit's best defense at keeping predators away from her nest of newborns is to spend the least amount of time actually in or near the nest. Just because you do not see her at the nest does not mean that she is not taking care of her babies or has abandoned them. Most does will only feed their kits once a day, and again, in the early hours to avoid drawing attention to the nest. |
| Domesticated rabbits have not lost these instincts. They too will do what is natural to them by trying to dig a nesting hole in the corner of their cage. Many people will try to keep the kindling experience as natural to the doe by having a sunken nest box within their hutches. For those that are unable to have such a system, there are nest boxes made of wood or metal that can be placed inside the cage. This also allows for ease in removing the box for checking of babies or cleaning of the next box. |
| After the doe has been bred, and is approaching the 31 day gestation after the initial breeding, she may start exhibiting signs of the approaching kindling. She may exhibit defensive gestures, attitude changes as well as lay down more or even eat less right before kindling. On average, 24 hours before kindling, the fur will loosen allowing the doe to start "pulling" fur and gathering to build herself a nice warm pocket for her babies. |
| Giving the doe her nest box 4-7 days prior to her due date will allow her to familiarize herself with it and begin her nest buidling. Some does given the box too earlier may start using it as a "litter box" rather than a nesting box. The box needs to be placed in the cage preferably not in her potty corner to hopefully prevent soiling of the box. The nest box needs to be lined with some type of clean, soft bedding material. I prefer using grass hay. Others will use shredded newspaper, straw, shavings or a combination of those or others. Each has it's advantages and disadvantages and is up to you which is the best for you and your bunny. Your choice in nesting material should not be dusty, moldy or coarse. A does instincts will be to start "gathering" her material along with fur from her body to build her nest. |
| ~*~Lotsa Lops~*~ |
| Some first time does may not pull any fur. During warm summer months, babies can stay warm enough in a nice pocket of the nest without fur. Fur lined nests help retain body heat for those naked newborns to survive their first few days until their fur starts growing in. Saving unused, clean fur from previous litters can be reused in a nest of a doe that does not pull fur or enough fur. You can also try pulling fur from the dew lap or rump area of the doe as well, this fur should have loosened in preperation for birthing to allow you to do this. |
| First time does may even experience such a sudden and shocking labor, that they do not make it into the nest box to have their babies, thus having them right on the floor of the cage. Precautions such as adding extra material on the floor of the cage outside of the box may help any babies survive until they can be found and placed in the box. One can never check a doe too often when her kindling time is near. |
| Once the babies have been born into the box (or placed there by you), you want to do a head count and remove any dead babies. Many believe that disturbing the doe or nest is taboo. This is not always the case. For does that are accustomed to you, you more than likely will not have problems checking her nest. It is very important to ensure dead babies are removed and to keep a head count. Babies can stray from the nice cozy nest pocket and these "stragglers" need to be put back into the pocket. Babies seperated from the rest may miss out on feeding time and not survive being away from the nest warmth. |
| It is instinct for Mama Bunny in the wild to avoid drawing attention to her nest, therefore she will usually only come to the nest at night when she feels it is safe and predator free. Domesticated rabbits may exhibit those same instincts and just because you do not see her feeding or in the nest box during the day, doesn't mean she is not taking care of them. By checking the babies daily, you can also do a physcial examinantion and see their full bellies indicating they are being fed. |
| This page still |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Fur lined nest of newborns |
 |