Did you know that rabbits can reach sexual maturity in just a few months? That's how it is! So if you have a couple it is likely that one day they will surprise you with a litter if you do not know all the details about pregnancy in rabbits
This is a very important stage in the life of your furry pets, so our site offers you this article so that you are informed about everything you need to know and you can take care of your rabbits from the right way. Keep reading to discover the details about pregnancy in rabbits, the symptoms and their duration
Rabbit Maturity
Rabbits reach sexual maturity at an early age, between 4 and 6 months for large breeds, and between 6 and 9 months for giant breeds. Females can even get pregnant after 12 weeks, but it is preferable to avoid this, as they are not yet sufficiently mature. It is also not recommended to mate rabbits that are already 4 or 5 years old, as they are too old for it.
Unlike other mammals, the rabbit does not have specific periods of heat, but can reproduce at any time of the year. It is true that they prefer more temperate climates, but this does not imply that you should lower your guard if you do not want to enlarge the family of rabbits.
The female is fertile throughout the year, and all she has to do is approach the male and have him try to mount her to start the ovulation process. Once this process has started, the female will accept mating for the first 12 or 14 days (oestrous period), then she will reject it for 4 days (diestral period) and then she will have another 12 days of estrous period. If fertilization has occurred, the pregnancy stage begins.
Avoiding an unwanted pregnancy is very easy, just check with your veterinarian for the best time to neuter and sterilize your pets.
Pregnancy stages in rabbits
If you wonder how long a rabbit's pregnancy lasts, you should know that lasts between 28 and 31 days, maximum 33. If it happens this time and the rabbit has not yet given birth, you must take her to the vet urgently; after day 34, it is quite possible that the fetuses will die inside it if they have not yet been born.
First stage
Pregnancy symptoms in rabbits will be noticed from day 10, manifested in irritable mood and enlarged abdomen. In addition, the doe will prefer to lie on her side and between days 11 and 13 the fetuses will be able to feel with their fingers through the belly.
Second stage
From day 14 onwards Avoid manipulating the mother-to-be or holding her, as she will be very delicate and you could easily cause a miscarriage accidental way. Similarly, do not allow the male to approach her for the same reason.
Third stage
In this last stage of pregnancy in rabbits, three days before giving birth, the doe will begin to form the nest, usually using her own hair, which will be pulled out to create a comfortable space impregnated with its scent for the kits.
The time of delivery
Does give birth quickly, usually at night or in the early morning hours, although they can do so any time they feel they will not be interrupted or disturbed.
When the doe gives birth it is imperative that you keep the male away, both to protect the kits and to prevent him from fertilizing her again, since conception is possible in the first 72 hours immediately after delivery. Not only would this be very stressful for your rabbit, but it would also prevent her from caring for the newborns during her nursing period. It is advisable to wait 42 days for the next mating.
What does your rabbit need during her pregnancy?
The gestation period of rabbits is usually quite calm, and if there are few kits expected, it may even be that you hardly notice much difference in their abdomen. However, this does not mean that you should neglect it, and there are a few things to pay attention to so that everything comes to a happy end:
- Feeding The production of milk and the he althy formation of the kits depend on the mother eating well and in a varied way. He changes his diet from grass hay to one of alfalfa hay, and supplements with carrot pieces, tomato, parsley and lettuce.
- Water. During pregnancy, your rabbit's water consumption will increase, so she should always have a container with clean, fresh water within reach.
- Nido In nature, rabbits look for a warm and hidden space to have their young, which they condition with locks of their own hair. To make the process easier for her, get a rabbit box that is larger than the mother and let her use it throughout the gestation process. To help her with the conditioning of the space, put straw and paper within her reach
- Protection. Keep the pregnant rabbit away from the male to prevent her from attacking him or him trying to mount her again. Likewise, don't let other animals near her, not even the other pets in the house.
Birth and care of the kits
Always the same number of kits is not born in each pregnancy in rabbits. There are births of between 4 and 12 kits, while other rabbits are capable of giving birth to up to 22 pups. They will hatch in the early morning or at night, and it will be faster if the doe is relaxed and feels safe.
The rabbit will take care of them right away, so unless you see something abnormal she won't need much help. As soon as they are born, make sure that they all breathe and feed on their mother's milk, but do this without touching them, because your smell will make the rabbit reject or devour them. The mother will nurse them twice a day, in the morning and in the hours close to night. During the lactation period, the doe will continue to need large quantities of water to drink.
If you detect any dead pup, which can happen if the litter is very large, as there will be kits weaker than the others, remove it immediately and always in the presence of the doe. Of the rest, never pick up or take the young unless they are in danger of falling from the nest, as they are extremely fragile and the mother will not like your smell. If you must touch them, do so with gloves and then rub them with a bit of the mother's hair.
It is not until the tenth day that they will be able to open their eyes. Before this they are completely blind and require the warmth of the nest. From the 17th they begin to have hair, and from the 20th onwards they are more active, they walk and are encouraged to investigate their surroundings. They will continue to suck from their mother until the fifth week, after which the doe will feed them less, so you should start the process to feed them with rabbit pellets.
In the eighth week the mother will begin to reject and attack the young, so it is necessary to separate them and allow the little ones to explore other spaces. To offer them everything they need at this stage, don't miss our article on basic care for rabbits.
