LilyPatchFarm
Well-Known Member
So, as mentioned in a previous post I picked up two Elop girls sort of by chance at a chicken show a week or so again. There were a LOT of rabbits there, being Easter weekend I suppose. Some were clean and well taken care of and in nice cages, but most of the vendors there had them just all jammed together in tiny cages
I promised myself I'd stay away from the rabbits. Which means naturally, I unexpectedly came home with three does; two elops and a mini rex. hwell:
The mini rex is startilingly, obviously pregnant. Shes got a huge belly, extended nipples, and not to be too graphic, but a very dialated enlarged vulva. The guy could not tell me when she was bred, or what she was bred to. Lovely!
On Saturday I noticed her gathering huge mouthfuls of hay in her mouth and hopping around her cage looking for a place to build a nest so I obediently gave her a nesting box. Since Saturday she has been building the largest, most intricate nest I have ever seen. It completely fills the box and spills out into the hutch. I've really enjoyed watching her make the nest, it seems to soothe her so I keep giving her different mediums to see how she will incorporate them. So far the nest has feathers, dog hair, rabbit fur, fleece strips, lots and lots and lots of hay, and even some clover flowers. I will have to take a picture in the morning when its light out, its really amazing. When she hops in the box to make an addition, you cant even see her ears.
Anywho- She started building the nest on Saturday. My other does only started nesting hours before they gave birth. She hasnt gone into labor yet- is it normal for some to pre-build like this? Is there a point I should be concerned that she hasn't gone into labor?
I should mention she is eating, drinking, and pooping normally. The only change I have seen is occasionally she seems to be breathing a little faster then normal but I think thats just from her massive engineering feat.
Edit: Just wanted to appologize for the ramble. If its TL;DR- short story is How long after building a nest should I be worried a doe hasn't kindled?
I promised myself I'd stay away from the rabbits. Which means naturally, I unexpectedly came home with three does; two elops and a mini rex. hwell:
The mini rex is startilingly, obviously pregnant. Shes got a huge belly, extended nipples, and not to be too graphic, but a very dialated enlarged vulva. The guy could not tell me when she was bred, or what she was bred to. Lovely!
On Saturday I noticed her gathering huge mouthfuls of hay in her mouth and hopping around her cage looking for a place to build a nest so I obediently gave her a nesting box. Since Saturday she has been building the largest, most intricate nest I have ever seen. It completely fills the box and spills out into the hutch. I've really enjoyed watching her make the nest, it seems to soothe her so I keep giving her different mediums to see how she will incorporate them. So far the nest has feathers, dog hair, rabbit fur, fleece strips, lots and lots and lots of hay, and even some clover flowers. I will have to take a picture in the morning when its light out, its really amazing. When she hops in the box to make an addition, you cant even see her ears.
Anywho- She started building the nest on Saturday. My other does only started nesting hours before they gave birth. She hasnt gone into labor yet- is it normal for some to pre-build like this? Is there a point I should be concerned that she hasn't gone into labor?
I should mention she is eating, drinking, and pooping normally. The only change I have seen is occasionally she seems to be breathing a little faster then normal but I think thats just from her massive engineering feat.
Edit: Just wanted to appologize for the ramble. If its TL;DR- short story is How long after building a nest should I be worried a doe hasn't kindled?
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