Where did the kits go?

Question
Hi,
On August 26th I breed my doe mini rex for the first time.
I put her in an common area with my buck and he did his deed. The next morning I put the two of them together again.  Not know for sure if the mating took I secluded my doe.  Around the 17th of September she began making a nest, pulling out her fur and became very docile. The kits were due on the 25th of September.  I have not seen the kits, could they be hiding?  I am not sure how big the should be?  I would like to let my doe back out in the play yard, but I don't want to take her away for the kits if they are for sure in there.  When I reach my hand in the cage to reach in the nest, she goes a little crazy jumping all around.  So I am trying not to bother her.  Any suggestions on how to proceed?  Could this have been a false pregnancy?
Please advise.
Kit Krazy in Corvallis

Answer
Dear Gracen,

It could be that she had a false pregnancy.  You won't know for sure unless you are able to check the nest, and it would be a bit unusual for her to "go crazy" this long after a false pregnancy if she doesn't have babies.  

Be sure to wash your hands *very* well with hot water and disinfectant soap before handling the nest and/or babies, as the bacteria normal for your hands can be dangerous to baby rabbits.

I'm not sure how big your yard is, or where she might have hidden them.  But rabbits are *very* good at digging quick nests, and it's quite possible that she has a nest out there and is tending her babies.  Check her bunny boobies to see if they are swollen, and if the nipples are prominent and visible, she may be nursing.

So check the entire play area for any sign of holes or a place where she might have squeezed under to have her babies.  If she had them on the 25th, they won't be coming out of the nest until they're about 2 weeks old.

Please also read:

www.bio.miami.edu/hare/breeding.html

I hope that will help.

Dana