| Welcome to Rabbit Addict. The forums are a place to discuss all things related to rabbits and cavy. From breeding to pet, emergency to genetics questions. Our members are a mix of genetics enthusiasts, breeders, and pet owners looking to share their animals. Hop on in and join the fun! We don't bite. I promise. You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as joining the discussion, customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features: |
| Killed the kits | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: Aug 12 2014, 10:10 PM (201 Views) | |
| maple79vt | Aug 12 2014, 10:10 PM Post #1 |
|
New to the Addiction
![]() ![]() ![]()
|
What causes the momma to kill her kits? We had a first timer do this 2 days ago. |
![]() |
|
| ZRabbits | Aug 13 2014, 05:58 AM Post #2 |
|
Love My Lions!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
First timers, you never really know. She could have gotten scared or just too much stress. I would re-breed. See how she does a second time. just give her a bit before rebreeding. It happens sometimes. Sad, but part of first time bunny mom. BTW, how old is the doe? KAZ |
![]() |
|
| NeuBunny | Aug 13 2014, 09:19 AM Post #3 |
|
Genetics Geek!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Like Z-said. 1st time moms sometimes just don't understand what they are supposed to do. Presence of a 'predator' is the most common reason it happens with older moms -- I guess in a weird instinctual logic, it makes more sense to kill the kits than to let them attract a predator to an area. Older moms also kill (and eat) kits that are 'wrong' (injured, loud, or just not thriving). Dietary deficiencies can also sometimes cause a mom to kill and eat the kits. On some instinctual level she knows she doesn't have the resources to raise them. I know some breeders who give a protein boost prior to kindling. If a doe will actually eat a hotdog (which is how some do it - I haven't ever), I guess I would assume they are really protein deficient. And hormonal imbalances can cause does to kill a litter too. Some does are repeat offenders who kill every litter. Contrary to popular rumor, handling by a familiar human does NOT cause a doe to kill kits. If the mom recognizes you and is friendly to you, she won't interpret your scent on the babies as a predator. |
![]() |
|
| maple79vt | Aug 13 2014, 09:36 AM Post #4 |
|
New to the Addiction
![]() ![]() ![]()
|
She was an old first time mom, a year. She killed right after delivering. She never tried to make a nest. We weren't sure how she'd do being so old. She delivered at 32 days. We're going to try her again in a few weeks. We're thinking of moving her next to an experienced mom to see if that might help her. Thanks for your help. I just wasn't sure why they would kill them. We were prepared for stillborns. |
![]() |
|
| maple79vt | Aug 14 2014, 11:22 AM Post #5 |
|
New to the Addiction
![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I think we'll chalk this up to a bad week. Lost one of our favorite does this morning from labor. Right now, thankful to have no other pregnant does. Has anyone else had weeks like this? We feel so stupid and like it was our fault.
|
![]() |
|
| NCK | Aug 14 2014, 01:36 PM Post #6 |
|
Somebunny is a awfully chatty
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I'm so sorry. Usually does do fine with labor/kindling/raising kits, but when things go wrong you just feel awful. With my first litter, the doe kindled two peanuts and died sometime in the night - I suspect form a prolapsed uterus. It was horrible, and I felt like it was my fault for breeding her. I've also had to pull stuck kits after a long and hard labor, which of course didn't make it. These things are so sad, and I know it's so easy to blame yourself, but I'm sure you did everything you could have done.
|
![]() |
|
| sidd-says-gimme | Aug 14 2014, 04:52 PM Post #7 |
|
sidd says stay gold
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
There is no way to know if a doe will have a hard time kindling. It's not your fault! It's hard with some breeds, but kindling and mothering skills seem to be genetic in a lot of cases... If you're careful, you can breed for these attributes and can work toward easier births (for both you and the rabbits) in the future. So sorry about your doe! Just wondering, but how to do you know if the doe killed the kits? Did you see the babies alive, then later on they were killed? Or did you just see a gory scene after you saw that she gave birth? Sometimes when they have a hard time, they will pull out the babies with their teeth, which usually results in some beat up babies. |
![]() |
|
| NeuBunny | Aug 15 2014, 08:18 AM Post #8 |
|
Genetics Geek!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
So sorry for your losses. Not your fault. A year is not that old - I doubt this was related to her age at all. Bad things tend to happen in clusters -- for no apparent reason. Worst I had (at least in terms of my ability to cope) was several years ago when I lost a week old puppy and my 10 year old cockatiel the same day. No way the two were related, just an awful horrible coincidence. Give yourself time to grieve and recover. |
![]() |
|
| maple79vt | Aug 17 2014, 10:50 PM Post #9 |
|
New to the Addiction
![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Y'all are so sweet, thank you! Yesterday we attended our first show. It went well. My daughter discovered cloud bunnies! She now wants angora's. It cracks me up every time she mentions them. I thought you all would understand
|
![]() |
|
| NeuBunny | Aug 18 2014, 07:49 AM Post #10 |
|
Genetics Geek!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I have lots of French angora babies if you are interested (and anywhere near me in MI)! Alternatively, have her look at Jersey woolies. That's the breed my older daughter does -- all the benefits of the look and feel of angora without the high maintenance (JWs are bred specifically for a non-matting low maintenance coat). At 2-3 pounds, JWs are a great 'child-sized' bunny but usually much more 'laid back' than other dwarf breeds (still bred for that temperament that lets them sit still for grooming sessions). I don't recommend them if you want to learn to spin/felt because they don't molt as often or produce as much wool as an angora. But for a fluffy pet, they can't be beat. All the JW show folks I've met have been super nice and they have a really strong youth-friendly national breed club. Edited by NeuBunny, Aug 18 2014, 07:50 AM.
|
![]() |
|
| sidd-says-gimme | Aug 18 2014, 08:48 AM Post #11 |
|
sidd says stay gold
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Angoras a such lovely animals. I would love to have a pair/trio of English Angoras! |
![]() |
|
| maple79vt | Aug 21 2014, 12:00 PM Post #12 |
|
New to the Addiction
![]() ![]() ![]()
|
She liked the jersey woolies a well. We're headed to another show next weekend and the same breeder will be there again we believe. I think it's a good opportunity for her to ask questions she may have. If we do them, I want the wool. Plus maybe a sheep, some chickens. Rabbits were the gateway drug here
|
![]() |
|
| NeuBunny | Aug 21 2014, 03:29 PM Post #13 |
|
Genetics Geek!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
lol - here too. Started with my daughter getting a bunny from a friend (with our permission). Moved to more bunnies, 4H, show bunnies, breeding, then to quail, ducks, chickens, cavies, goats, sheep (not ours, but the neighbor girl boards hers here with the goats), alpacas, llamas and peafowl. If you want wool, go for the angoras. JW do produce some, but the higher guard hair ratio makes it slippery and harder to spin (won't felt at all). Angora goats (which produce mohair, not angora wool) are much friendlier than sheep. Though if you really want to spin, sheep's wool is the best for blending. You can spin straight angora (bunny) fiber but it goes a lot farther if you blend it with sheep's wool. |
![]() |
|
| TherapyBunnies | Aug 22 2014, 04:56 PM Post #14 |
|
Hey, look at you! You chatterbox you. Now you can request a new title! PM the Admin to do so
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Mommas killing kits just happens sometimes. This time last year we lost all but 3-4 of our juniors and a few nursing does to mold poisoning. The worst was loosing Istats, REW Lionhead - Multi BOB winner. She died before she could be registered as Lionheads were not recognized until Feb 2014. Her daughter Istas' Legacy was 1lb 12oz at 7 months the day I registered her. She was over 2 1/2 last time I weighed her. We are just now having litters live over 4-5 weeks. We have a litter that is 6 weeks old!!!! Yay, I may have Convention juniors. With all that being said. It shows how good & bad things happen with the rabbit heard. Edited by TherapyBunnies, Aug 22 2014, 05:33 PM.
|
|
Cara Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Therapy Bunny Breeder, Chaplain. Lionheads are my focus & Giant Chinchilla is my son's. My daughter's focus is Mini Lops and she has couple of show / pet rabbits. | |
![]() |
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
| « Previous Topic · Breeding Basics · Next Topic » |





![]](http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c319/bunniluver/pip_rgt.png)



Right now, thankful to have no other pregnant does. Has anyone else had weeks like this? We feel so stupid and like it was our fault.
Usually does do fine with labor/kindling/raising kits, but when things go wrong you just feel awful. With my first litter, the doe kindled two peanuts and died sometime in the night - I suspect form a prolapsed uterus. It was horrible, and I felt like it was my fault for breeding her. I've also had to pull stuck kits after a long and hard labor, which of course didn't make it. These things are so sad, and I know it's so easy to blame yourself, but I'm sure you did everything you could have done.
1:03 PM Jul 11