How does the rabbit behave before the nest and how many days it takes to prepare the nest
The rabbit's okrol is a crucial period of time that requires attention from the breeder. Novice rabbit breeders worry about the behavior of the female before giving birth. Changes are also taking place in the rodent's house. The okrol of the rabbit will be successful if the farmer studies in advance the peculiarities of the rabbit's behavior before the okrol, the nuances of the process, the reasons for the appearance of possible problems.
The behavior of the rabbit before the okrol
After mating, the female is removed from the rabbit to another cage so that re-mating does not occur. Rabbits have a two-horned uterus, so the risk of re-fertilization is high. In this case, dead rabbits are born. To find out if the female has become pregnant, a rabbit is added to her. If she does not allow the male to approach her, behaves aggressively, it means that the mating was successful.
Eared pets are characterized by a calm character. But with the onset of pregnancy, the female is extremely anxious. If there is a male nearby, she can attack him, bite. After mating, an experienced breeder puts the pair in different cages.
In some cases, the behavior of the rabbit is the opposite, she becomes calm, fearfully huddled in a corner. The expectant mother prepares the nest, lines it with fluff before the birth. If this happens earlier, a false pregnancy may have occurred. It can be determined by palpation. The female is gently turned onto her back, the stomach is gently probed. In the presence of small dense balls in the abdomen, it becomes clear that the rabbit has become pregnant. To eliminate stress and anxiety in the prenatal period, a quiet place is organized for the fluffy animal. Any noise, bright light can provoke premature birth.
How many days before delivery does the animal tear fluff?
The rabbit begins to equip the nest a couple of days before the expected birth. Restless behavior is a sign for the farmer to watch the female these days. The gestation period of a rodent is 28-34 days. At about 27-28 days, the female begins to tear the fluff on the chest, equipping the mother.
The warm and soft down serves as a blanket for baby rabbits. They feel comfortable in it, the bedding provides additional warmth.If the female did not begin to rip out the fluff on her chest, then the breeder independently prepares the place for childbirth. This behavior of the female can be caused by various reasons.
A pregnant rabbit needs to organize a quiet place. She needs to feel comfortable so that there is no miscarriage.
Why doesn't the rabbit make the nest before giving birth?
If, when the okrol approaches, the animal does not prepare the mother, then there are problems associated with one or several factors:
- first pregnancy;
- stress;
- improper nutrition.
At the first pregnancy, the rabbit does not know how to behave, to properly prepare the nest. Usually the breeder comes to the rescue, who tears the fluff on the female's chest, covering it with the mother. It also lays dry grass on the bottom of the cage, it will additionally warm the rabbits in the winter period.
The rabbit, when she first becomes pregnant, is more prone to stress. During such a period, it must be handled especially carefully. Do not make sudden movements while cleaning the cage. Any noise, rustle can easily provoke a miscarriage. Premature birth without preparing a generic nest will lead to the death of the offspring.
It is not recommended to pick up a pregnant female. This will add additional stress to her. The number of visits to the expectant mother should be limited.
While waiting for offspring, rabbits need to eat well. The feed must be balanced. Lack of food or poor diet are also causes of stress in animals. The female has a natural instinct. She will not equip the nest if she does not get enough food, feeling that she cannot feed her cubs.
For successful bearing by female rabbits, you need to adhere to simple rules:
- eliminate the presence of drafts;
- protect the rabbit house from extraneous noise;
- limit visits to strangers;
- it is desirable to protect the mother liquor from bright light;
- provide an optimal temperature of about +33 degrees;
- keep the cage clean;
- provide a complete diet, constant access to water.
If you follow these rules, the okrol will pass quickly and without problems. Usually, the time of birth is 10-15 minutes, in large individuals it lasts for an hour.
The prenatal period is a critical time that requires attention from the farmer. The preparation of the nest is important before starting the nesting. Proper preparation of the mother liquor guarantees healthy offspring of the rabbit family.
