Caring for a pregnant rabbit

How Do I Know If My Rabbit Is Pregnant

Many people don't realize their rabbit is pregnant until she begins to have babies.  But there are a few signs to look for that might give you an idea before then:

• your rabbit begins to gather hay in her mouth
• your rabbit puts on a lot of weight in the abdomen
• your rabbit starts to dig in her feed bowl
• you see movement in your rabbit's abdomen
• your rabbit starts to pluck fur from her legs, abdomen, and sometimes back

None of these is sufficient to diagnose pregnancy.  Rabbits do have false pregnancies, gain weight, and dig in the bowls for other reasons.  And, conversely, many pregnant does show no signs of pregnancies until a few minutes before they are ready to kindle.

About 11 to 15 days after breeding, an experienced breeder can palpate a doe and often determine whether she is pregnant.  It's definitely possible to miss the small fetuses or to detect fetuses that fail to mature. 

By about day 27 or 28, it is possible to feel the fetuses once more in the abdomen.  It takes much less skill at this point to feel the babies, but it does help you if you know what an non-pregnant doe feels like.

What To Do

Unless your doe is underfed, there is no need to increase her feed during pregnancy, though some breeders will increase it during the last week.  The exception is for very large breeds that produce huge litters.  I do not increase the feed for my Hollands when they are pregnant.

If you know when your doe was bred, place a kindling box into her cage on day 28.  She is due on day 31.  Yes, it is just 31 days from breeding to kindling!

If you don't know when or whether she was bred, place the kindling box into her cage now.  Be sure to keep an eye on her because does will use the nest box as a litter box if it is placed too soon.  You will need to clean the hay as needed.

You can fill the box with hay or straw.  Or, you can place the hay or straw into her cage and she will make the nest herself. 

You can make your own nest boxes  Or, you can order them from an on-line rabbit supply company such as Bash equipment company.

You can read more about caring for newborn at The Nature Trail Rabbitry.
 

False Alarm

Once you are sure that your doe has not been with a male for at least 35 days, you can assume that the pregnancy was a false alarm. 

~knowing much about rabbits~

Most of the people have seen rabbits and some even consider making it a pet. But are they aware of the facts about rabbits? Here are some interesting rabbit facts which most of the people don’t know.

• Rabbits are not rodents, but they belong to lagomorphs order.
• Rabbits are herbivores and eat carrots, vegetables, tree barks and herbs.

:: rabbits are not rodents and they are herbivores ::

• Rabbits are social, loving and interactive animals.
• Rabbits weigh between 2 to 11 pounds.
• There are over 45 recognized breeds of rabbits.
• Rabbits live in groups called herd in a warren.

:: they live in groups ::

• Rabbits have a very good memory.
• Each rabbit has his own distinct identity.
• Rabbits have long sensitive ears, which can turn in any direction and can also help in regulating their temperature.
• Rabbits can make various sounds.
• Rabbits have large eyes and a blind spot right in front of their face.
• Rabbits can see behind themselves without rotating their heads.
• A male rabbit is called buck and a female one is called doe.
• A baby rabbit is called kitten or a kit.

:: rabbit's kits ::

• Rabbits are crepuscular, that is they are most active at dawn and dusk.
• Rabbits have 28 teeth, which keeps on growing continuously throughout its life.
• After birth, the baby rabbits are collectively known as litter.
• Rabbits can mate when they are 3 months old.
• Rabbits can produce babies when they are 6 months old.
• Rabbits can produce 20-40 babies in a year.
• Size of the litter is usually between 4-8 kits.
• The gestation period of rabbit is about 30 days.
• Babies are born blind and without fur.
• Babies open their eyes at about 10 days.
• Kits get weaned at about 6-8 weeks.
• Rabbits feed their babies only for about 5 minutes a day.
• Rabbits can jump as long as 36 inches and higher.

:: they jump as higher as they can ::

• Rabbits can run about 35 miles an hour.
• Average lifespan of a rabbit is about 8-10 years.

:: a healthy rabbits alive about 8 to 10 years ::

RABBIT HUTCHES

This large rabbit hutch with large pen provides an ideal opportunity for exercise any time your rabbit wants due to the built-in ramp and large ground level cage.

Due to its size it's ideal for appropriate and humane keeping of pairs or groups of rabbits. It includes an enclosed hutch area and offers a closed area for quiet retreat.

The Large Covered Rabbit Hutch from Summer Meadows features a raised sleeping area and is fitted with a ramp for easy access to the interior. The covered run is treated with non-toxic wood stain for water resistance and features a felt roof so this stylish animal hutch is ready to go..

 Imac Cavia Easy. High quality large indoor Rabbit or Guinea Pig Cage. Includes hay rack. Easy assembly flat packed. Plenty of internal living space.

~ Rabbit'c Cares~

Here are some important guidelines about rabbit care basics:

1. When trimming their nails, you must dampen their paws first before trimming it but never overtrim their nails because it might bleed.

2. Do not use any flea soap or flea shampoo when bathing your rabbit. These could get into their eyes and could really harm them. When you are going to bathe them, use no tears shampoo and if you suspects that they have fleas in their coats, never use any flea products instead consult your vet about flea comb.

3. See to it that your pet rabbit gets the right kind of food in right amount. Pellets should be given º cups every day and should also have their veggies and fruits too.

4. Always give your pet rabbits fresh and clean water. Rabbits are fluid drinkers and they could get dehydrated easily when they are not able to drink. If this happens, feed them with Pedialyte to replenish the loss fluid from their bodies.

5. A rabbit's cage should also be larger than his size so he can have enough room to move around.

6. Clean the cage at least twice a week.

7. Feed your pet rabbit with ample supply of oats and timothy hay.

8. Let your pet rabbit do his daily exercise and the ideal time for it is two hours every day.

9. Never give your pet rabbit any cedar because this might cause respiratory blockage or worse it could kill them when digested.

.. gives rabbit fresh,clean and healthy water everyday..

.. suitable cage for their better comfort..

.. bring rabbits to veterinar for a treatment twice a week ..

.. a good rabbit's care leads healthy rabbits ..

.:: TYPES OF RABBITS ::.

                     ~ DWARF HOTOT~

.. sweet dwarf hotot ..

     

The Dwarf Hotot, as the name implies, is compact and small, a docile, stocky little bunny

1.  The rabbit's head is round, with a rather broad skull. 
2. Rabbit's neck should not be seen. 
3. Eyes are round, bright and bold. 
4. Ears are short, of good substance, and very well furred.

                            ~ REX~

..cutes rex..

This breedbreed is known for its specific fur, which feels like a velvet. It is often used as a substitute for other animals' fur. Standard Rex fur has shortened so-called "guard" hairs. This makes the coat very dense and short. This kind of coat would be mistaken for an undercoat on a normal rabbit.




                             ~HIMALAYAN~

..long rabbit..


    This is a very old breed, which has been long-known in many Asian countries near the Himalayan Mountains. 

1. Himalayans are more widely distributed across the world than any other breed, and in many countries has been known by many names, such as the Black Nose, Russian, Chinese, and the Egyptian. 
2. Those rabbits have very gentle temperament, and they make great pets for children .

~FLEMISH GIANT~

...Big rebit...

Those flemish giant rabbits are generally very impressive in size, and weight around 6 kg.

1.  They are of an iron grey color with white or sandy bars on their legs.
2.  They have long ears with bent tips. 

~ ALL ABOUT RABBITS~

Rabbits are small fluffy animals from the family of Lagomorphs. (not Rodents as many people think) 

Generally, they have long ears, either pointing up or "lopping" downwards. 4 legs with 5 claws on each front foot and 4 longer claws on their large flat back feet. Sloping backs down to small "bun" style tails. (hence the name bunnies). 

Rabbits have large eyes on the side of their heads, either brown or less frequently blue or grey. They have prominant front teeth with a "twitching nose" above. 

..twitching nose, large eyes rabbits..

.. prominant front teeth of rabbits..

.. long ears rabbits..