Symptoms of a Pregnant Rabbit
The gestation period for a rabbit is about 31 days, so an inexperienced rabbit owner may not even notice pregnancy until little kits arrive. There are a few clues to look for in a doe that may be pregnant.
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Nesting
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Does will begin gathering hay and building a nest in the corner of her hutch, or in a quiet corner of the house, if she is a free-range rabbit.
Weight Gain
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If there have been no other changes in her diet, a doe that is gaining weight in her tummy may be pregnant.
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Pulling Fur
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As a doe gets closer to her delivery date, she will begin pulling fur from her abdomen and legs to line her nest.
Palpating
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An experienced rabbit owner or veterinarian can palpate the doe's abdomen to feel for fetuses by the second or third week of the pregnancy. This should not be performed by a novice, so as not to harm the babies.
Considerations
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False pregnancies are common in rabbits. A doe will believe she is pregnant and begin building a nest, even if she hasn't been mated. It is best to consult a veterinarian to ensure the health of the rabbit.
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References
- Photo Credit Lyssa Oberkreser
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Comments
View all 8 Comments-
what happens if the female pulls the hair from the males?
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Yes my rabbit has been doing all the following above. I am very pleased that she is pregnant!
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this info is so incorrect! a female rabbit is pregnant for an average of 28-35 days..ie 4 weeks not 8! and most tend to build a nest a few days before kindle, some a week, few, weeks before hand. but alot that build a nest before day 14 have a pseudo pregnancy.also, does tend to made a nest out of hay/straw, but only pull fur just before kindle, and some during or after kindle.
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is that your homework or something
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what happens when the male pulls hair out of the females?
