Why did my rabbit give birth early?

[Ozarkhomesteader]

I have lots of rabbits and lots of litters, but one of my NZW does had 12 babies, but kindled 2 weeks early! I've had dozens of litters and never had this happen and was wondering if anyone knew why. This was her first litter. She is a really calm doe, and everything was normal, no cleaning or anything else that would freak her out...just wondering why this happened. thanks

 

[ChickyChickens]

I have lots of rabbits and lots of litters, but one of my NZW does had 12 babies, but kindled 2 weeks early! I've had dozens of litters and never had this happen and was wondering if anyone knew why. This was her first litter. She is a really calm doe, and everything was normal, no cleaning or anything else that would freak her out...just wondering why this happened. thanks

Emm, do the babies still look fine??

I had rabbits a few years back...but i odnt know anything much anymore!!! Maybe it was because she is new!!!

 

[ChickyChickens]

I meant because it was her first time...sorry!

 

[Ozarkhomesteader]

Emm, do the babies still look fine??

I had rabbits a few years back...but i odnt know anything much anymore!!! Maybe it was because she is new!!!

oh, i forgot to mention, when i found them they were dead...she had them over like a whole day, and their was no nest box...i put it in on the 3rd week.

I though maybe that's why...i bred her again (it's been a couple weeks since all that happened) so i hope she has them right this time

 

[Bunnylady]

Are you sure about the gestational age? At about 2 1/2 weeks' gestation, the kits would be about the size of newborn mouse pups. I've had a couple of does spontaneously abort at about 3 weeks, and the kits are still clearly undersized (about the size of newborn rats) and nonviable (unable to live on their own). I can remember two does that were seriously stressed at the time they lost their litters; in the case of one more that I remember, there was no obvious cause.

 

[Ozarkhomesteader]

Are you sure about the gestational age? At about 2 1/2 weeks' gestation, the kits would be about the size of newborn mouse pups. I've had a couple of does spontaneously abort at about 3 weeks, and the kits are still clearly undersized (about the size of newborn rats) and nonviable (unable to live on their own). I can remember two does that were seriously stressed at the time they lost their litters; in the case of one more that I remember, there was no obvious cause.

it might have been 2 1/2 weeks along...they were kinda in between a newborn mouse and a newborn rat pup (i've breed both so i know the size).

Well, i'm glad it's not some genetic problem. That may sound like a strange thought, but my mom mentioned that and i was a little concerned

 

[ChickyChickens]

oh, i forgot to mention, when i found them they were dead...she had them over like a whole day, and their was no nest box...i put it in on the 3rd week.

I though maybe that's why...i bred her again (it's been a couple weeks since all that happened) so i hope she has them right this time

Aweosme...well i hope all goes well the 2nd time then!!!

 

[Ozarkhomesteader]

Aweosme...well i hope all goes well the 2nd time then!!!

thanks!! me too

 

[abbymckinn]

I would make sure this time to give her plenty of hay all the time, if you see her making a nest or pulling fur give her a box, even if its early! I had one doe I didn't even think was pregnant and didnt give her a box cause she was about 3 weeks along, and was going to wait till she tried making a nest.... She ended up having 10 babies!!! That I found, it was her outdoor cage so they escaped. They were all very small and not sure if they would have lived anyways. Oh and she was a mini Rex, and small for one too!

 

[enola]

All sorts of things can go wrong with a rabbit's first litter. How old is she? ANY kind of stress can cause a female rabbit to abort. Do you have a rabbitry? If animals can get near their cages that is not good.