Kindling
The gestation period, or length of pregnancy, is 28 to 32 days for rabbits, 90% of the growth of the kits in the nterus occurs in the last 10 days, the last trimester. The birthing process is called kindling.
DIET FOR THE DOE: During the pregnancy, the doe musst be fed a special high-quality diet to keep up with the demands of her body. During the last two days of her pregnancy, the doe should cut back on her food intake. If she does not, it should be limited for her to prevent diet-related medical problems such as ketosis or mastits at delivery. The doe should eat only 50 % of her normal diet two days before delivery, then the amount of food she receives should gradually increase after kindling. The amount should be increased every day after delivery until she reaches her full diet amount one week after delivery.
NEST-KINDLING BOX (NEST BOX): Pregnant does should be provided with a nest-box about 26 days into the gestation period. The box should be just a few inches larger than the doe, with clean straw or shredded paper used to fill it. The boxes can be purchased from pet supply houses or you can build one yourself out of plywood or particle board. The doe will pull some of her own fur from her dewlap, belly, and thighs to contribute to the nest.
THE BIRTH: Kindling usually happens early in the morning. Although it often occurs very quickly, it can take as long as a day or two for the doe to deliver all the kits. The kits may come out head first or feet first. Fortunately, it is very rare for a rabbit to have a dystocia, a problem with delivery, so the doe should not need any assistancewith the birth.
It is important that the doe not be disturbed during kindline. Excitement, stress, or noise can affect the delivery or cause the doe to injure her newborn kits. although cannibalism is rare, it can occur if the doe is stressed. The kits should be checked only after the doe is recovered and relaxed from delivery. If a kit falls out of the nest, you must put him back in. Do not expect the doe to do this. She not likely to stay with the kits at ll times, nor should she be forced to.
