It is often difficult for many to know if their doe is expecting a litter. Many new rabbit owners either do not know how to palpate their doe or just can't. I have kept tract of many things that does will do once they are bred. This gives me a slight hint if they are bred or not. I have spent much time watching the habits of my animals so that I can pick up on the slighest changes in their behavior.
When you breed your doe, make sure you mark it down on the calendar and then weigh the doe, if you have a scale. Keep the does ration of feed the same, they do not need more feed because they are bred. This will also help to ensure that the weight gain is babies and not fat. I have found that 2-3 weeks after they are bred they should gain approximately 2-3 ounces. Also, make sure that your doe has access to fresh water 24x7. Lack of water is one of the first reasons why a doe will reabsorb her fetuses.
Here are some of the changes you can notice in bred does:
Change in eating. Many does once they are bred will change their eating habits. If she was cleaning up her dish and now digs in her food, picks at it or was a picky eater and starts scarfing, she may be bred.
Playing in the hay. I feed hay everyday and normally the does will just eat the hay. When they are bred I have seen them get their heads under the hay and start pushing it up in the air. Some does will pick up a single strand of hay and try to stuff it in the corner of the cage. There are those does who want to start building their nests about 2 1/2 weeks into their gestation, but they are pretty isolated cases.
Pushing on the floor. This has got to be one of my favorites! I have one or two does that will start bouncing with their front feet on the floor of their cage. It is as if they are looking for a weak spot to dig in.
Changes in attitude. Quite often, especially once February comes, does will run and jump in their cage when I come around. I use to think that they were happy to see me but have since learned that they were just trying to let me know that they were looking for a good looking buck. When a doe acts like that and I take her to a buck of my choice, I wait and see if she calms down. Most does that are begging to be bred will settle right down and not call attention to themselves. Some does will also go from being social to charging, grumping and growling or cower in the corner whining. Other does that are very territorial become even moreso.
Grooming! Bred does seem to spend more time cleaning themselves. Rabbits groom themselves quiet a bit, especially after we have handled them. But I have noticed that when they are expecting they are a little more diligent about it.
Moulting. Bred does will get a very nice coat to them and light moulting tends to cease for the time being. A couple of days before they are due hormones start to work to loosen their coat. You should be able to pull clumps out with no effort at all. This is not always the case but pretty normal.
The nestbox test. When you give an expectant doe a nestbox, they will do a multitude of things. Some will check it out and then leave it alone, others will pull everything out and then put it back the way they want it. They will dig, scratch, rearrange and then plop their butt in it and seemingly wait for the big day. Does that use the nestbox as a toilet usually end up not being bred. Some does will eat all of the hay out, knowing that you will replenish it. This is why you should not give them a box until they are about 26-27 days along. They tend to be a little more serious about the whole thing. Then you have the doe that absolutely hates the nextbox you gave her and pulls everything out and puts it in the corner of the cage! Fill her cage with nestboxes or put her in a well ventilated plastic tote. I will address this one later with photos.
Anywhere around 7 days and on before the doe in question is due she will start to decline in her eating. They will keep drinking, eating hay and treats but will slack off on the pellets. The babies have grown so much that their is not a lot of room for food, especially if the litter is going to be 4 or more babies. A doe carrying only one or two babies doesn't slow down her eating until a day or so before she is due.
Then there is the old trick of putting her in with a buck to 'test' her. Most does, if bred, will run around in cirlces squeaking and growling. Be close in case she decides to attack the buck. There are does that will accept a buck even if they are bred but I have not had that happen myself. I have had immaculate conceptions that have left me scratching my head in bewilderment, just another day in my life
Remember, these are just my observations............none of this is written in stone and your own rabbit could prove these all false. After all, each one is different but I have found that many display the same habits every time they are bred.
Marcia
