One Doe, Two Nests
by PWalker
(Florida, USA)
Hi, We have 3 first time does who all delivered recently. They all appear healthy. My question is this. Why would one of my does have three babies at one end of the nesting box and three babies at the other end? I was so focused on the one set I did not even see the others for over a day. She also did not seem worried about covering one set while the other set was covered so well I did not even know they were there.
Do I need to worry about her separating the kits?
***** Karen Sez *****Kinda funny that some does occasionally do this!
There is likely nothing to worry about. I suspect the doe simply got distracted, or she dropped the first three kits in one position, and then got herself turned around and dropped the last three while standing differently in the nest, forgetting to go back and finish tending to those first three kits. That's my guess, anyway.
This is exactly why checking the nest after a rabbit gives birth is so important. Even in the most temperate of environments, uncovered newborn kits can die of exposure, so checking the nest can save bunny lives, in your case, half the litter. You done good!
What to do now: Just put all the kits together into the warm and snug covered nest. The doe will do all the rest.
Plus, the chances are slim that she will do this again.
Enjoy your rabbits!