The birth of a female rabbit is a responsible period of time that requires attention from the breeder. Beginning rabbit breeders are worried about the behavior of the female before giving birth. Changes are also taking place in the rodent's house. The breeding of a female rabbit will be successful if the farmer studies in advance the peculiarities of the female rabbit’s behavior before the breeding, the nuances of the process, and the reasons for possible problems.
Behavior of a female rabbit before giving birth
After mating, the female is separated from the rabbit into another cage so that re-mating does not occur. Rabbits have a bicornuate uterus, so there is a high risk of re-fertilization. In this case, dead rabbits are born.To find out if the female has become pregnant, a rabbit is placed next to her. If she does not allow the male to approach her and behaves aggressively, then the mating has been successful.
Eared pets have a calm character. But with the onset of pregnancy, the female behaves extremely anxiously. If a male is nearby, she can attack him and bite him. After mating, an experienced breeder places the couple in different cages.
In some cases, the behavior of the female rabbit is the opposite; she becomes calm and timidly hides in a corner. The expectant mother prepares the nest and lines it with down before giving birth. If this happens earlier, a false pregnancy may have occurred. It can be determined by palpation. The female is carefully turned over on her back, and her stomach is carefully palpated. If there are small dense balls in the stomach, it becomes clear that the rabbit has become pregnant. To avoid stress and anxiety during the prenatal period, a quiet place is organized for the furry animal. Premature birth can be triggered by any noise or bright light.
How many days before giving birth does the animal tear up its down?
The female rabbit begins to arrange the nest a couple of days before the expected birth. Restless behavior is a sign for the farmer to watch for the female during these days. The gestation period of a rodent is 28-34 days. At about 27-28 days, the female begins to tear the fluff on her chest, establishing a queen cell.
Warm and soft down serves as a blanket for baby rabbits.They feel comfortable in it; the bedding provides additional warmth. If the female has not begun to tear out the fluff on her chest, then the rabbit breeder independently prepares the place for childbirth. This behavior of the female can be caused by various reasons.
A pregnant rabbit needs to organize a quiet place. She must feel comfortable so that a miscarriage does not occur.
Why doesn't a female rabbit make a nest before giving birth?
If, when the birth approaches, the animal does not prepare the queen cell, then there are problems associated with one or more factors:
- first pregnancy;
- stress;
- poor nutrition.
During the first pregnancy, the female rabbit does not know how to behave or properly prepare the nest. Usually a breeder comes to the rescue and tears out the fluff on the female’s chest, covering the queen cell with it. Dry grass is also placed at the bottom of the cage; it will additionally warm the rabbits in the winter.
When a rabbit becomes pregnant for the first time, she is more susceptible to stress. During such a period, it must be handled especially carefully. Do not make sudden movements while cleaning the cage. Any noise or rustling can easily provoke a miscarriage. Premature birth without preparing the birth nest will lead to the death of the offspring.
It is not recommended to pick up a pregnant female. This will cause additional stress for her. The number of visits to the expectant mother should be limited.
While expecting offspring, female rabbits need to eat well. The food must be balanced. Lack of food or poor diet are also causes of stress in animals. The female's natural instinct kicks in. She will not build a nest if she does not receive enough food, feeling that she will not be able to feed her young.
To successfully bear rabbits, a female must adhere to simple rules:
- eliminate the presence of drafts;
- protect the rabbit house from extraneous noise;
- limit visits from outsiders;
- It is advisable to protect the mother liquor from bright light;
- ensure an optimal temperature of about +33 degrees;
- keep the cage clean;
- provide a nutritious diet and constant access to water.
If these rules are followed, the birth will take place quickly and without problems. Usually the birth time is 10-15 minutes, in large individuals it lasts for an hour.
The prenatal period is a responsible time that requires attention from the farmer. Preparing the nest is important before the birth begins. Proper preparation of the queen cell guarantees healthy offspring of the rabbit family.
