Female rabbits need a lot of care and support to make it to term successfully, even though they are renowned for their reproductive abilities.There are lots of things you can do to make sure your pet rabbit's pregnancy goes smoothly.Start by making a hay-filled nest box for your doe to use.When she is ready to give birth, you can begin caring for the litter before making a decision about whether to keep or re home them.
Step 1: Provide your doe with a place that will hold her and her young.
A pregnant doe can give birth to as many as 14 kits, or baby bunnies, at one time, which means she will need a good amount of room.It is recommended that you house your doe in a cage, crate, or hutch that is a minimum of 25–30 in (64– 76 cm) x 15 in (38 cm).She will be able to move around, stretch out, and exercise without difficulty.If you don't already have a living space that's at least 25–30 in (64– 76 cm) x 15 in (38 cm), now is a good time to build or invest in a new one.Ideally, your doe's maternity lodging should be at least somewhat private, with as few bright light sources, noisy appliances, or other potentially nerve-wracking distraction in the surrounding area as possible.
Step 2: You can put a hay-filled nest box inside the doe's cage.
Take a small wooden crate, cardboard box, or similar open container and place it in one corner of the cage.The bottom should be covered with soft grass hay.Make sure the structure you use is big enough for your doe to come and go easily.She will lounge around until she is ready to give birth.A layer of old rags, paper towels, and shredded newspaper can be offered as doe nest-making materials.The materials you put down will help keep the newborn kits warm.If you don't know what size box to use for your pregnant doe, give it multiple boxes of different sizes to choose from.Rabbits will feel more distressed if they don't have a dark shelter.
Step 3: It is advisable to clean your rabbit's cage and box regularly.
hay and other materials should be replaced every 3-6 days.After removing the bedding, scrub any heavy stains with a soap solution made from a combination of warm water and mild, non-toxic soap, such as liquid castile soap.If your doe has a tendency to poop in her box, you need to keep a sanitary environment for delivery.Chemicals should not be used in wooden and cardboard boxes.These substances can be harmful to rabbits and can cause serious respiratory or digestive issues.
Step 4: Do not do any activities that could affect your rabbit.
If the female is threatened, the entire litter could be lost, as rabbits are normally prone to stress.Don't make loud noises near your rabbit, and keep disruptions away from its cage.Pets should not be near the rabbit's enclosure since it could look like a predator to the mother.
Step 5: Immediately after kindling, be sure to separate the doe and males.
If you want to separate your male and female rabbits, place chicken wire between them.They will not be able to marry again right away.It is important for rabbits to be able to see, touch, and interact with one another because they become very attached to their partners.Within 72 hours of giving birth, most female rabbits can become pregnant again.If you want your rabbits to breed, keep the buck and doe apart.Your male and female rabbits could be stressed out if you don't allow them to remain close.In the worst-case scenario, it could lead to anxiety, depression, loss of appetite and other factors that could negatively impact their ability to raise their kits.
Step 6: Your rabbit should be fed a high-quality diet.
Grass hay and fresh greens are good for your doe.Timothy pellets can be used to supplement her diet.She can have as much vegetation as she wants, but you will want to portion out her food based on her weight to make sure you don't over feed her.Rabbits like to eat romaine lettuce, bok choy, carrot tops, kohlrabi, cilantro, basil, and mustard and beet greens.A rule of thumb is to give your rabbit a cup of pellets for every 5 pounds of body weight.Rabbits that are overweight and obese can have more problems with pregnant and giving birth.Providing proper nutrition is always a key part of rabbit ownership, but it is especially important when pregnant females are concerned, as she will be eating for up to 12!
Step 7: You should keep your doe's water bottle or dish topped off.
At least once a day, refill the receptacle with fresh water.Female rabbits who are expecting need to stay hydrated in order to produce enough milk to nurse their young.You will probably notice an increase in the amount of water your doe drinks.
Step 8: When you want to hold or move her, make sure you pick up your doe.
To support her hindquarters as you gently elevate her, place the lower part of her chest just above her front legs in the crook of your arm.To keep her warm, hold her close to your body.Allow her to burrow her head into your underarm until she relaxes a bit, if she is feeling shy or anxious.If you can't get your rabbit to let you pick it up, lay a large bath towel over it.The rabbit will be calmer because of the darkness.When you pick up your rabbit, make sure to support it.
Step 9: Your rabbit should be allowed to play outside of her cage for at least an hour every day.
Take your doe out of her cage once or twice a day for half an hour or so at a time.She can use this time to play, exercise, or explore a new place.To make sure she doesn't hurt herself or end up somewhere she's not supposed to be, be sure to watch her closely.If you are going to let your doe play indoors, make sure that any and all items that could pose a danger to her are off limits.Things like electrical cords, sharp objects, and anything small enough for her to choke on are included.Daily exercise is important for pregnant women as it stimulates blood flow, which in turn carries more vital vitamins to the unborn kits.
Step 10: Remove dead kits from the cage.
Not every kit in the litter will survive kindling.If you find a kit that doesn't seem to be breathing, take it out of the cage and bury or dispose of it outdoors.It could be a health risk to the remaining rabbits.Before removing a kit, it is advisable to examine it closely.A motionless newborn could be suffering from low body temperature.The doe will be familiar with your scent, so don't worry about reaching into the cage to retrieve the kits who did not make it.
Step 11: You can keep the newborn kits warm by adding a heat source to your rabbit's cage.
The hot water bottle should be filled with warm water.Plug in a small heating pad set to the lowest heat setting and slip it underneath the bedding materials on one side of the doe's nest box.If they get too cold or warm, the kits will be able to move back and forth from one side of the box to the other.Adding more bedding will keep the kits from coming into contact with the water bottle, which will be too hot for them.Even if it is just a warm towel, keep a gentle heat source on hand.This is important if your rabbit gives birth during the winter.
Step 12: If the doe isn't nursing, feed the kits kitten milk replacer twice daily.
A sterile syringe with 4-5cc of lightly-warmed formula can be filled.Slowly release a small amount of formula into its mouth, allowing it to suckle at its own pace until it's had its fill or the liquid is gone.For every kit in the litter, repeat this process twice a day.You should keep an eye on the kits for a few days after the baby is born.If they are being fed regularly, their tummies will be smaller, and they will look sunken.It is normal for rabbits to leave their young alone for a long period of time.A new mother can become withdrawn.She may be reluctant to interact with her kits.If this happens, it's a good idea to make an appointment to have your doe looked at by a qualified vet at your earliest convenience.
Step 13: They have to remove the kits from their mother.
Most people finish nursing their young within a few weeks.The kits can be moved to their own cage if the mother becomes resistant to nursing.After 8 weeks, you should separate the male and female offspring.Once the kits are strong enough to move on their own, you can start looking for new homes for them.