So, have you used vanilla on a rabbit's nose?

by Mimi
(USA)

Vanilla? In your personal experience, have you ever used it? What if the doe licks it off, will it hurt her? I have a pregnant doe, and she isn't bad enough to where she does not even let me pet her, but never likes to be held. Should I use vanilla with her? Like I said, she is not TERRIFIED of me, just not completely used to me. Your suggestions?


***** Karen Sez *****
Yes, I have used vanilla. It works well. There is no problem that I know of if the doe licks it off if the vanilla is the real thing rather than imitation.

Feel free to use the vanilla if you think you need to. But, I think everything will go well if your doe isn't so nervous that she's straight out attacking you right now. Sounds to me like she's just being a pregnant doe, a bit cranky and wanting her privacy until her babies are up to 2 weeks old. Do your daily checking of the nest, and then leave her alone, other than talking to her sweetly from the other side of the cage.

Have fun!

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Feb 10, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Here they are!
by: Mimi

She had 3, 3 lived. The others were kind of deformed and not in the nestbox. First one was huge. The living ones are perfect though! I LOVE them, such cute little features on those little guys! I checked in on them today, and one had a little bit of black Teeny Weeny droppings on his leg. Is that bad? Should I do something? I figured it was fine and it would go way on it's own.

***** Karen Sez *****
Yay! Fun times. No prob with the droppings, unless they are loose and sticky.
Feb 05, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Well,
by: Mimi

She does not seem to care at all about the nest box. We now have a giant room for her that we finished yesterday, that has her first nest in it, and she was not even picking up straw. I am just a worried bunny mama! Will she EVER have them? Do you think she even Is prego? She was stuffing her face with straw and I can see little jerks in her side...
Feb 05, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		Mimi
by: Anonymous

So, the doe I have tried to build a nest a few days ago in an unsafe place, so she could not use it. We put her back and she tried to burrow. It collapsed. Now, on day 32, she does not have a nest, and is just lying down. I can see the kits kicking inside her. What is going on?

***** Karen Sez *****
But, does she have a nest box with all the fixins (shavings, straw, hay)? If so, the doe will take good care of everything. Be patient - the big day will come on her timing. Keep an eye on her from afar, just to make sure when she hops out of the nest that the babies have enough fur covering them. If you need to, you can brush loose stuff out of her fur, or borrow some from another rabbit.
Feb 05, 2013
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starstarstarstarstar 		what is the point?
by: Anonymous

of using vanilla?

There is no need for it. if you want to check the kits, pull the nestbox, check them and then put the nestbox back where it belongs.

Seriously.

Rabbits don't care if you handle their kits. no need for vanilla at all.

***** Karen sez *****
Thanks for weighing in, Anon. Your point is well-taken, and 99% of the time spot on. The vanilla is, however, a useful tool should the rabbit breeder or pet rabbit owner feel the need, even if that need is perceived only, and quite harmless, whether it was needed or not needed.

I agree with you, and you'll see that this website reflects your perspective generally. In all my years of rabbit raising, I've had only one or two does that I was not willing to say categorically that no harm would befall the kits if I checked the nest. I used the vanilla. On the hundreds of other does, I didn't.

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Aggressive pregnant rabbit

My rabbit is pregnant and is due next week, but she is very aggressive and she won't even let me touch her. She was this way even before pregnancy. How can I put vanilla on her nose to check on the kits if she won't let me touch her? Please help.

Also, if one of the kits has a sunken stomach, how can I "foster" it?

Thank you in advance for your help.

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Aug 11, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		About your aggressive doe
by: Moderator

Great questions. When you reach into the cage, let your arm and hand be a 'hawk' swooping in from above. Move quickly, grab the doe around the shoulders, and you can tell the doe in no uncertain terms that you are the 'big bunny' around here! While she hears your tone of voice, you can be applying some firm, but kind, pressure downward, pinning her against the cage floor. Sometimes animals can learn that certain behaviors are unacceptable.

If she continues with a vicious streak as the babies get older, you might want to reconsider using her as a breeder. Attitudes and personalities are somewhat heritable - do you want 8 kits all like their dam? Just asking...

K
Aug 11, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Aggressive rabbit
by: Ross

I think you will find once she has given birth she will be a lot more calm. Also if she's very aggressive, maybe put a nestbox in or give her materials (hay, straw etc) to make a nest so she can feel a bit more relaxed.
Aug 10, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		RE Aggresssive pregnant rabbit
by: Silver Desert Rabbitry

If she tries to attack you when you put the vanilla on her nose, just reach in as fast as you can and grab her by the ears and the nape of the neck. That will restrain her long enough to put the vanilla on her nose.

Also, you can bottle feed a kit that is not getting enough food from the mama. Use dry kitten formula and follow the directions on the box and feed it with an eye dropper. Eye droppers tend to work better than syringes.

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Vanilla extract

by Hailey Wilks
(New York )

The vanilla extract trick works perfectly. I have a doe that is aggressive, skittish and frankly evil with me. She just had her first litter and it somehow calmed her down but also helped me check on her kits. She now has 6 healthy little squeakers and is doing fine. I recommend the vanilla, not much, but as a definite use on high strung new mothers.

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