mummy bunny

my little nethie gave birth to 4 babies all 4 we found dead yesterday evening we didn't know she was pregnant ( partner was supposed to be a girl) we think he killed them but not 100% sure we brought her in so they were sepaerated and she is rebuilding a nest is this normal or is there a chance she hadn't finished giving birth

It is rare but not unheard of, so just let her do. More likely is that she's just confused, driven by hormones, they do not plan or think about what to to next, it's not uncommon that first timers get their instincts somewhat mixed up. Especially when there is interference.

When the buck was there when she gave birth it is possible that he tried to impregnate her right again, messing everything up, kits born outside the nest will chill and die if not warmed up soon (a cold kit isn't necessarily dead, it's worth a try to warm them up). Bucks don't care about kits, or if the doe is done or not, there's only one thing on their mind then.

So, if you didn't seperate them while she was delivering be prepared that she might be pregnant again, they are very receptive after giving birth.

Preitler said:

It is rare but not unheard of, so just let her do. More likely is that she's just confused, driven by hormones, they do not plan or think about what to to next, it's not uncommon that first timers get their instincts somewhat mixed up. Especially when there is interference.

When the buck was there when she gave birth it is possible that he tried to impregnate her right again, messing everything up, kits born outside the nest will chill and die if not warmed up soon (a cold kit isn't necessarily dead, it's worth a try to warm them up). Bucks don't care about kits, or if the doe is done or not, there's only one thing on their mind then.

So, if you didn't seperate them while she was delivering be prepared that she might be pregnant again, they are very receptive after giving birth.

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ok thank you 3 were still in the sack and 1 was not and all 4 were on the concrete and had definitely gone. i feel so sorry for her she looks so lost and confused.

should i let her have a litter?

Netherland dwarfs are notorious for having difficulties in birth (which is what it sounds like what happened here; if they were still in the sack. A healthy doe would rarely leave the kits uncleaned unless she had a difficult birth), and rabbits don't need to have a litter to be happy, so I would strongly advise not breeding her (especially considering how hard it is to find homes for pet quality or mixed breed rabbits).

However; rabbits are most fertile right after giving birth and if you didn't separate until after you found the babies it's likely that she is pregnant again.

Clare White said:

should i let her have a litter?

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Not on purpose, as been said, she might be pregnant again already anyway, so have a nestbox ready in 25 days and be prepared.
Of what you write, kits in the sack, scattered outside the nest, could very well be the the result of the buck trying to mate while she delivered, once off track they can be quite confused and don't get it right anymore.

There's no benefit for the doe in having a litter. Then there's the matter of what to do with the offspring, "putting them on craigslist" isn't exactly a viable plan (doesn't work for me, didn't sell a single one this year *sigh*, there is one lovely, nice white buckling I'd rather not invite for dinner...)

Breeding just because it's so cute, or because you think she wants it aren't really good reasons. If you want to stop that yearning, false pregnancies, hormonal driven behaviour and mood swings better get her spayed, there can be health benefits too.

Since intact males can be a PITA even to spayed girls at times so I would get him neutered anyway. That would be the minimum to do if you want to keep them together. (My house bunnies are an intact male and a spayed doe, during spring there is quite a lot to put up with...)