Bunny Barn Farms

Reproduction

1. When is my doe ready to breed?

   Rabbits are induced ovulators without a defined oestrus cycle, although females vary in sexual receptivity and a cyclic rythym exists. Mating stimulates ovulation approximately 10 hours post coitus. Full sexual receptivity occurs every 18 days and is manifested by restlessness and increased chin rubbing. Does are fertile immediately after kindling, especially during the summer months. In general, polish females are mated for the first time at approximately 6-9 months old.

2. How can I tell if my doe is bred?

   Pregnancy can be detected at 10-14 days after mating when fetal units can be palpated as olive size masses. Fetal resorption may take place up to 20 days post mating.

3. What is the gestation period for rabbits?

   Gestation takes 30-32 days. Viable young may be born between 29 and 35 days. A nest box with appropriate bedding material such as shavings & hay, should be put in with the pregnant doe on day 28. The quality of the nest varies between individual does  and has a strong influence on the survival of the young. The doe will pull fur from her hip, dewlap & mammary glands to line the nest. She may consume less food at this point and should be tempted to eat. Kindling (partruition) usually takes place in the morning and lasts less than 30 minutes although, occasionally, young can be born hours or even days apart. When the entire litter has been born, the doe pulls more fur from her body to cover the litter in its nest.

4. What is a false pregnancy?

   A false pregnancy is called "Pseudopregnancy" and mimics true pregnancy. Pseudopregnant does pull fur from their abdomen & chest, make a nest, develop mammary glands and agressively defend their nesting site. Pseudopregnancy lasts 16-18 days rather than the 30-32 days of true pregnancy.  Pseudopregnancy can result from an infertile mating or from sexual activity that occurs between two does that are housed together or the result of sexual arousal from the close scent of a male.

5. How often does the doe feed the babies?

   Baby rabbits are suckled once or occasionally twice a day by a mother who spends little time with them. The babies drink sufficient milk in 2-5 minutes to last 24 hours.During this time a baby rabbit can drink 20% of its bodyweight. It is possible for baby rabbits to survive for more than 24 hour intervals between feedings, which explains why females can rear litters that exceed their number of nipples. Suckling normally takes place in the early morning and, if the doe does return to the nest to feed the young for a second time, then it is usually in the first few days after giving birth. Rabbit milk is concentrated, containing 13-15% protein, 10-12% fat and 2% carbohydrate.

Anatomy

1. How many teeth do rabbits have?

   Rabbits have 28 teeth: 6 incisors & 22 molars. Of the 6 incisors, 2 are a secondary pair of small incisors called "peg teeth" that are positioned behind the large upper primary incisors. These 'peg teeth' are a characteristic of lagomorphs. All the teeth grow continually throughout the rabbit's life. The rate of tooth growth is approximately 2mm per week.

2. How many toenails do rabbits have?

   Rabbits have 18 toenails. 5 toenails including a dewclaw on each front foot and 4 toenails on each back foot.