breeding bunnies!

[marmadukescarlet]

Our lovely bun died (my neighbour was looking after it) whilst we were on hols on a farm in Devon.

So we came back with 3 baby buns from the petting bit of the farm, 2 sisters at 8 weeks and another doe at 10 weeks - didn't really want 3 but they don't let singles go and taking 2 would have left the other one lonely.

Took them all to the vet today to get myx jabs pepper (oldest)got a quick check and a jab, butterscotch got a long check and a quizzical look from the vet.

"Are you sure they are all does?" asks Vet.
Me, "yes"
"Was she ever in with a boy?"
"Yes her brother, were seperated at 8 weeks... oh my goodness."
"I think she's only having one, I'll ultrasound her"

Ginger gets the once over, "Was she in the same cage?"
"yes." I answer somewhat nervously.
"she's having at least two. I'll get the dark one out again."

Some time passes, "Yes her too. But she's having more".

Went in with 3, came out with, er, 9!

Devon Rex anyone?

lol
This happened to us when I got my first pet rabbit and she had 15 babies I loved it I was only 6 my dad had to build a huge run in our garden.

oops bunny overload

Yes riven but I can't have them spayed right now and they were pregnant when I got them 3 weeks ago. I do not have a buck and they haven't left my DD's bedroom since they arrived.

(I believe in the neutering of all pet animals unless they are to be used for showing. I also think all breeding and sale of animals should be licensed, there are too many unwanted animals as it is.)

DD is now checking out suitable pals to adopt our fluffy bundles when they arrive!

should be in about a week then

Is it 4 weeks gestation? Got them on the 05/04 so they must be at least 3 weeks gone, perhaps more.

yep usually about 30 days

You seem to be knowledgeable caz so, my new found rabbit expert, can I ask some questions? (please don't laugh at my stupidity, I can do puppies, lambs and foals - never done a bun birthing)

As I don't know how far along they are, should I put nesting boxes in now?

What is a good nesting box/material?

How did this happen? I thought bucks didn't reach sexual maturity until 4-6 months. One buck (litter brother) was 8 weeks and other litter brother was 11 weeks. I know it had the DOB on the cages/pens.

The farm owner is very sorry for the predicament and says they have never encountered this at such a young age and they don't normally split litters until 16+ weeks. I know and trust her so guess I'm just unlucky/lucky - depending on if you are asking my DH or DD!

Lol - we usually just put more straw in. I don't think they would like something unfamiliar. They will pluck the hair on their chests to make a nest.

The main thing is to leave them alone, as if they feel at all threatened they will eat them

Are you horsey too??

Yes only have two ponies now, my 'old boys' (Horses from my teenage yrs) have passed away in the last few years - one was 32 the other 35, I rode the 35 yr old regularly until he was 30 (when I got too, erm, heavy .

Am splitting the rabbits up tonight and putting them next to each other in the spare bedroom, as this is quiet and hopefully they will be happy - have borrowed one indoor cage and one small dog crate.

I have 2 ponies too

A shetland which the dc ride, and a 3 yr old section b

We have shetland/Welsh crosses, half brother and sister.

She is a grey with black hooves and black spots (few spot leopard is the correct term)10hh and he is black with white hooves and white spots and markings (snowflake roan)9.3hh.

The DC ride both, leadrein only as both bonkers, mainly ride mare as gelding a bit nervy and tends to rear when startled.

I haven't ridden for 4 years now, due to lack of time mainly.

My poor buns don't have much chest fur to make a nest as only babes themselves, no pouchy bit that does get when they are mature to provide the nest material.

A big Thank You for all the advice btw

You're welcome

Let me know how you get on....

Nice to have "met" you x

Well the update is...my Vet is an idiot!

So I've bought 2 new indoor cages so I could split them all up (£100), all the accessories, bowls, bottles, 3 x as much hay, shavings etc one very anxious excited 8 yr old DD and SHE MADE A MISTAKE!

They are not a were not pg, despite the ultrasound scan.

I am actually REALLY annoyed about it as I haven't let the dc's handle them for 2 weeks so I am worried they will not be so tame - which is my impression from catching them when cleaning out.

DD is going to be devastated and possibly not believe I haven't done away with the babes. We were all quite excited about it. Also she previously she has been bullied at school, due to dyslexia and being a bit different, and girls being the fickle creatures that they are were suddenly interested in her due to the upcoming bundles of fluff.

It's been loads of extra expense and work.

AND I look like and idiot as DD has told everyone!

hmmm sounds ve odd, esp if you had a scan.

It is possible for some animals to lose a pregnancy, ie the babies are essentially reabsorbed, sometimes because of stress/illness/maybe these babies were really too young? although not sure if this can happen with rabbits.

Have you had a vet confirm that they're def not pregnant?

Yes, have just returned from the vets, I took them in as they were 'overdue'.

She didn't say anything about the reabsorbtion, she did ask if I'd seen any expulsions. I think she was very embarrassed.

They were very young, 14 and 16 weeks this week. Only one had a scan - the one she thought was having one.