Finally some babies

Grizzlyhackle

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First time doe at 17 months. I found 5 in the nest box and one on the wire. It was cold but wiggling. I held it for a couple minutes, brought it in to show my wife. We went back out and counted, all wiggling and warm. We gathered some hair that was scattered all over the hutch, made sure it looked clean. Put the little squirt in with the rest and covered them up. That was 9:45. I checked again at 11, didn't find anymore. Doe looks ok.
All knew to me. I see some blood on the wire. See some on the does back legs. I should clean that up, clean her too.
Been giving her plenty of greens daily and spoon of b.o.s.s everyday for a week any thing else I should be doing for her?
In the morning when I can see, I take out the kits keep them warm and remove dirty bloody bedding. Check for dead, injured.
Anything I'm missing?
Second doe should be kindling tomorrow or Friday. My wife is laughing at me I'm freaking out.
 

Grizzlyhackle

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All 6 warm and wiggling this morning. I pulled out all the soiled hay I saw wasn't much and I didn't add any.
Doe was interested but didn't try to stop me or get in my way.
I wiped all the mess around the cage. Picked up any loose hair that wasn't dirty and bagged for later. While I was cleaning she pulled more hair and got nosey around the nest box. I guess checking on what I had done.
If I'm missing anything tell me.
Been a long time getting to this point. Four years of mishaps, mistakes, detours life throws at you.
If and when doe #2 kindles I'm gonna need a drink.
 

Rabbitsbysara

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The doe should clean herself up. Blood is normal with birth. All your kits are alive that's great. 6 first litter is good too. You can feed her strawberry raspberry and blackberry leaves if you have any. Give her extra greens and the sunflower seeds. I add oats too. Make sure she has water at all times. Is it hot there yet? If so keep an eye on her for stress. Add a fan if possible. Otherwise just keep checking the kits, it takes about 10 days before they can regulate their body temp so they need to stay with the other kits in the nest. The doe will probably keep it pretty clean until then.
 

Grizzlyhackle

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Ok I was worried the blood would draw flies. She did look clean today. She's still pulling hair and laying in it . I checked this morning all 6 still kicking. Soon as my hand touches the hay they start squirming and crying out. I'll get my wife to check with me tonight they seemed fatter yesterday but you no first time and yep I am freaking.
I appreciate your help as always.
 

Rabbitsbysara

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They should be okay, and if she keeps pulling fur that's a sign to me she wants to take care of her babies. They do that they are like little jumping beans, you have to keep an eye out they don't pop out the nest. The time will go by fast and they will be big enough you won't have to worry. You already saved the one that was on the wire, so you are 98% ahead of most people lol.
 

Grizzlyhackle

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Well life happens. I gave her an hour. My sweet girl passed one kit and died. The kit didn't look quite right and I wonder if it wasn't stillborn. Of all the things I worried about loosing her was not even on my mind.
Fine example of counting your chicks before they hatch.
 

Rabbitsbysara

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Was the buck the same size as her? If they have those giant kits they can get stuck. I guess anything can go wrong. I never had a doe pass giving birth, but I did have a pregnant doe pass. Idky I just found her dead. I think there's alot to do with what the does eat. I feed Manna gro for breeding does. It's the 18%protein food. But I say this cuz on this food I've never had deformed or still born kits, and they always have large litters. That really sucks, I'm sorry you lost your doe. Is it hot? It's 95 here and heat is really hard on rabbits anyway. I usually breed in the fall winter and early spring. But I bring them in the house after they kindle if it's real cold. Until they are about 2 weeks old. This was a young doe right?
 

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