Well it looks as though Spice is going to be a mother due to accidental misgendering on the part of her two previous babies, so as someone who hasn't really had to deal with the troubles of a pregnant rabbit (well, I have had to deal with it once, but I figured out that there were already baby rabbits around six days after they were born!), I'd like to get some advice.
Currently, Spice is in our basement in a "twenty gallon" plastic bin with high sides and straw as bedding. The top is open aside from two wire crates weighted down to keep her inside. In the basement with her are two other rabbits in close proximity, but in separate cages. About two or three days ago I noticed that she was picking up clumps of straw in her mouth and carrying them around... not eating it. Additionally, today she was doing the same thing and now there's clumps of hair lining the cage.
What I want to know now is: Will she be okay with the other rabbits in close proximity and a smallish (it's not exceedingly small, just not very large) plastic bin as her nest box? Are there any dangers that she will kill the kits? She's had one litter before (another oops litter) and this will be only her second. Also, would you be able to estimate when she will give birth with the presence of fur lining the cage and the action of picking up and carrying straw?
Also, I don't know if it's worth mentioning, but we keep our dogs in an indoor kennel in the basement. The dogs are in another room, but will the smell and sounds cause her distress?
Thanks!
Currently, Spice is in our basement in a "twenty gallon" plastic bin with high sides and straw as bedding. The top is open aside from two wire crates weighted down to keep her inside. In the basement with her are two other rabbits in close proximity, but in separate cages. About two or three days ago I noticed that she was picking up clumps of straw in her mouth and carrying them around... not eating it. Additionally, today she was doing the same thing and now there's clumps of hair lining the cage.
What I want to know now is: Will she be okay with the other rabbits in close proximity and a smallish (it's not exceedingly small, just not very large) plastic bin as her nest box? Are there any dangers that she will kill the kits? She's had one litter before (another oops litter) and this will be only her second. Also, would you be able to estimate when she will give birth with the presence of fur lining the cage and the action of picking up and carrying straw?
Also, I don't know if it's worth mentioning, but we keep our dogs in an indoor kennel in the basement. The dogs are in another room, but will the smell and sounds cause her distress?
Thanks!