The birth of a rabbit is called an okrol or an eye, and newborn rabbits are called a litter. A rabbit that is in position is called pregnant or sukrolna, and the one that has already given birth is called okrolana, and it is said that such a female has already okrolana. Usually, childbirth takes place within 15-25 minutes, up to one hour at most. If the rabbit cannot give birth for more than 60-70 minutes, you should consult a veterinarian. The more newborns are expected, the sooner labor will begin in rabbits.
Signs of the beginning of the cycle
Signs of the beginning of molting in a rabbit:
- Change in behavior: The rabbit can become very calm or, on the contrary, very aggressive. This is due to hormonal changes occurring in her body before childbirth.
- Increased appetite: The rabbit may begin to eat more than usual before feeding. She is trying to accumulate energy for future childbirth and feeding the babies.
- Increased fluid intake: The rabbit will drink more water as hydration is essential for the birthing process and milk production for the baby rabbits.
- Building the nest: The female rabbit will begin to actively build the nest, gathering materials such as straw or hair to create a comfortable place to give birth and raise the young. She can lay out materials in a specific way, forming a nest convenient for herself.
These signs may indicate that the rabbit is about to give birth. It is important to provide her with comfortable conditions and ensure proper care before and during the birth.
Does the rabbit need human help?
The main rule is not to interfere. Rabbits have a strong maternal instinct and are usually good at giving birth and taking care of their young after birth. A person’s role in this process is to observe and control what is happening.
However, some situations may require human assistance:
- Delayed Labour: If a female rabbit does not go into labor for a long time (more than 1-2 hours), veterinary assistance may be required to determine the cause and assist in labor.
- Complicated births: Sometimes complications can occur, such as babies getting stuck in the birth canal or problems with the transfer of the placenta. In such cases, it is important to contact an experienced specialist (veterinarian or rabbit breeder) for assistance.
- Checking and cleaning the nest: After birth, a person can carefully check the nest for weak or dead young and remove them if necessary. It is important to do this very carefully so as not to scare the rabbit.
In general, in most cases, the rabbit will cope with the birth and care of the young. However, if certain problems or complications arise, consulting a specialist may be necessary to ensure the safety and health of the rabbit and babies.
What to do if the rabbit cannot give birth
Signs that the rabbit cannot breed:
- Rejection of food and water.
- Restless behavior.
- Difficulty and irregular breathing.
- Abdominal tension and hardness.
In such a situation, you should take the following steps:
- Administering a labor inducer: If the rabbit does not go into labor, a labor inducer such as oxytocin or pituitrin can be administered. These drugs are injected subcutaneously under the shoulder blade. However, it is important to consult a veterinarian regarding the dosage and use of these drugs.
- Call for veterinary care: If induction of labor does not lead to a result or the condition of the rabbit worsens, it is necessary to consult a veterinarian immediately. The veterinarian will be able to conduct an additional examination and prescribe further actions.
- After hatching: If the rabbit has successfully hatched, it is important to give it a drink of sweetened water. This will help to cleanse the body and promote exfoliation.
- Administration of antibiotics: If the birth was accompanied by the birth of a dead litter, it is recommended to inject the rabbit with antibiotics. However, this should be done under the supervision of a veterinary specialist, as he will be able to choose the right drug and dose.
If your rabbit is having trouble giving birth, it is important to consult a professional, such as a veterinarian, for specific advice and assistance.
How many baby rabbits does a rabbit give birth to?
On average, a female rabbit gives birth to four to twelve rabbits per litter. Sometimes there are cases when a rabbit gives birth to eighteen newborns. However, the number of cubs in each litter depends on the breed and age of the female, as well as on the conditions and diet of the animal.
Dwarf rabbits on average give birth to 6 babies in a litter. Rabbits of the average weight category (from 4 to 6 kg) usually give birth to 8 to 12 rabbits. In giants, the number of newborns can reach from 8 to 16 in one litter.
It is also worth noting that females that give birth for the first time usually have a smaller number of rabbits in the litter compared to experienced rabbits.
The period after the birth
After hatching, the rabbit eats the droppings, licks the newborns and carries them to the nest, and then covers them with torn down to keep them warm. After that, it is recommended to inspect the queen. The rabbit can be separated from the babies for examination. It is important to remove dead rabbits that may die in utero due to infection. If the nest has been disturbed, it should be restored.
The new mother may not be able to build the nest correctly or build it incorrectly, and may not place the offspring in the nest. It is necessary to check whether the babies are fed. Satisfied bunnies will lie quietly with visible full tummies.
If the baby bunnies cry, try to crawl and look marked with wrinkles, this may mean that the mother is not feeding them or there is not enough milk. If the rabbit does not let the babies eat, you can help with artificial feeding. Place the baby bunnies near the nipples and forcefully put them on the nipples one at a time.
After such help, the rabbit usually continues to successfully perform the role of a mother – feeds and cares for children. However, sometimes you may need help for a few days.
What to feed a rabbit after birth
Once a rabbit has given birth, she needs proper nutrition as she will be feeding her babies with milk and the quality of the milk affects their growth and development.
The diet of a rabbit after hatching includes:
- Grass or legume hay / grass – 100-300 grams / 1000 grams
- Sunflower cake – 40-50 grams
- Sunflower seeds – 30-40 grams
- Compound feed – no more than 80 grams
- Bone or meat and bone meal – 2-7 grams
- Fish oil – 2-4 grams
- Chalk – 3-5 grams
- Table salt – up to 3 grams
- Fodder yeast – 5-7 grams
It is good to feed lactating rabbits with mixtures that include vegetables, grain and cake. These mixtures improve milk yield.
Here are some examples of mixtures:
- A mixture of alfalfa, bran, legumes, wheat grains and chopped vegetables.
- A mixture of chopped alfalfa and oats.
- A mixture of alfalfa, barley and corn grains.
In winter, it is recommended to include in the diet of rabbits products that stimulate lactation, such as alfalfa hay, red rowan berries, apples and Hercules flakes.
In summer, you can use carrots, rutabagas, beets, cabbage, various herbs, silage, zucchini, cucumbers, watermelons and melons.
You can also add vitamin-mineral mixtures, dry or sour milk to the rabbit’s diet.
After about a month, each rabbit will start trying to eat food from its mother’s feeder. For young animals, add steamed wheat and oat grains, grated carrots and their leaves to the diet.
Will the rabbit accept other people’s rabbits
It happens that rabbits give birth to too many rabbits, which they are not able to feed on their own. A rabbit has eight teats, and this determines the maximum number of babies it can take. However, sometimes rabbits do not have enough milk, or they have problems with the mammary glands, which makes natural feeding difficult. In such cases, the rabbits can be placed in the nests of other females with smaller litters.
When transferring rabbit offspring, it is important to follow some rules:
- Be sure to wash your hands with unscented soap before transferring.
- Avoid using aromatic products (colognes, perfumes, alcohol).
- Check the age of the rabbits, the age difference between them should not exceed one week.
- Place no more than three rabbits in one nest.
The rabbit is isolated from access to the nests. Then the baby rabbits are transferred. It is not necessary to blow the fluff from their mother animal. Place the bunnies in the center of the litter so they can rub against their relatives and soak up their scent. After 2-3 hours, the rabbit is allowed to the nest. You should observe her behavior for several days.
If everything is done correctly, there are no problems, and the rabbit accepts other people’s rabbits as her own, successfully feeding them together with her own cubs.
The rabbit picked up fluff, but did not fall
Physiologically, rabbits are capable of giving birth up to 8 times a year. But sometimes it happens that a female rabbit builds a nest, gives out fluff, and childbirth never happens.
If the birth does not occur on time, the rabbit may not be able to give birth. In such a case, it is necessary to immediately seek veterinary assistance to resolve issues related to childbirth.
A rabbit can build a nest, but not give birth, this may be the result of a hormonal surge that occurs under the influence of a sterile mating (when conception did not occur). In such cases, false sucrolity may occur. The body begins to feel the symptoms of pregnancy, the mammary glands increase and rabbit milk may appear. During the second week, the level of hormones normalizes, active shedding begins. A rabbit tears fluff, builds a nest, feeling the maternal instinct. The condition of the rabbit usually stabilizes by the 20th day, and the false pregnancy disappears completely.
When breeding rabbits, it is important to constantly monitor the nutrition and care of the animals. It is necessary to monitor any changes in behavior, especially in pregnant rabbits. They are the basis for breeding and obtaining a healthy and numerous herd.