Welcome Guest [Log In] [Register]


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:

Username:   Password:
Add Reply
Fall breeding ... photos added
Topic Started: Sep 26 2016, 08:07 AM (239 Views)
NeuBunny
Genetics Geek!
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Superstition had kits over the weekend ... 1st time mom, and while I've lost first litters before this one was really strange.

She may have had the first kit Saturday morning. Neighbor girl mentioned it when I was doing evening chores and found a dead kit in the cage ... we had cleaned cages midafternoon and not seen anything so the dead one I found in the evening, was NOT the one she had seen in the morning. I assumed a small litter was born dead (small doe, not due until Tuesday) and that she had eaten the first kit (and possibly others). Sunday morning I found another kit in the cage ... I thought it was dead at first, but it moved when I touched it. Sat with it in my shirt against my skin for a good 15 minutes, then built a nest in the box for it (Superstition had eaten all the hay). Took her out and pulled fur from her tummy to add to the nest. Had another kit pop out on my lap ... surprisingly, it had it's head clear was alive, and only a little of the sac clinging to it's back half. Possibly it had been stuck and me picking her up got it out. I cleaned it up and added it to the nest. Started to water the rest of the rabbits, turned around to see 2 more kits on the wire. Mom cleaned them, I scooped them into the nest. Finished watering the rest and watched for a while (nothing) so went in the house -- came back out maybe 30 minutes later to find 3 more kits - 1 half eaten, 1 cleaned, and 1 still in the sac - broke that and it was breathing so cleaned it up, warmed those 2 up and added them to the nest. (and got rid of the half-eaten one). Came back out 15 minutes later and she was pulling fur out of the nest and putting it next to the box. I put some back in and went to get a heat lamp (I've never used a heat lamp with a litter before, but with mom pulling stuff out of the box and it being a cold morning (50 maybe) I figured warming the cage up wouldn't hurt. Peeked in the barn about 15 minutes later and she had added fresh fur to the box (quite a pile) so crossed my fingers she was getting the hang of being a mom and decided to not disturb too much -- just peeked in the barn off and on. Evening chores I checked the box, only 4 babies. Have to assume she ate 2 of them - possible they had gotten too chilled and died first (at least I hope so). This morning - 2 live babies, 2 dead one of which she had started to eat (the other with not a mark on it - so assuming they died first). Live babies look to be well fed, so still crossing my fingers. Took out the heat lamp before I left for work as she has a really nice fur-filled nest now (and leaving heat lamps on in a hay-filled barn makes me nervous).


... of the other does, Patchouli has built a nest (no wool, but isn't eating the hay) and was hopping in and out this morning. Guinevere built a small nest and added wool the day I gave her the box, but otherwise seems to be ignoring it. Sekmet ate every bit of hay (refilled it twice a day starting Friday afternoon) but yesterday started pulling wool like crazy and putting it in the box.

Hope everyone else's fall litters are off to a better start!

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
NeuBunny
Genetics Geek!
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Guinevere has 8 fat healthy babies born Monday night. Seeing them makes me realize just how small and thin Superstition's all were. Lost another of Superstition's last night and tried fostering the last with Guin's, but it was dead this morning anyway.

Nothing on the other two. Wasn't really expecting any from Sekmet, but her building such a nice nest got my hopes up. This was the third try for the buck I had matched Patchouli with ... guessing he (Rumplestiltskin) may be sterile as I can't blame it on the heat anymore.

Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
NeuBunny
Genetics Geek!
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Guinevere's ... such a pretty litter!

Broken fawn, fawn and tort (I think lilac tort, possibly lower rufus chocolate tort)
Posted Image


Broken 'chocolates' I think the one towards the top is chocolate, hoping the one towards the left is actually chocolate agouti.
Posted Image


One in the middle looks lilac. One to the left is just a bit lighter ... maybe lilac sable, maybe even agouti? I can't tell on the ears, but it's triangle (not really visible in the photo) looks a lot lighter and the belly is more pink than the other.
Posted Image

And this broken 'lilac' which was underneath in the photo. Crossing my fingers for lilac chin or lynx.
Posted Image
Edited by NeuBunny, Oct 3 2016, 09:19 AM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
NeuBunny
Genetics Geek!
[ *  *  *  *  *  *  *  * ]
Day 9 update...
Posted Image


Posted Image

Posted Image


Edited by NeuBunny, Oct 5 2016, 05:37 PM.
Offline Profile Quote Post Goto Top
 
1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous)
« Previous Topic · Breeding Basics · Next Topic »
Add Reply