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Hello my name is Elisha Barrett . Can you help me?

22 10:49:35

Question
Hi my name is Elisha Barrett and I am in 4-H with my rabbit and my brother is using his.The rabbits are brother and sister.Every time we get them out so they can exercise my brothers rabbit Buddy (buck) starts to do it on her HEAD.we have tried everything and now my rabbit Sparkles(doe) doesn't run as much or want to be held as much as normally. Is this a sign of sparkles being pregnant?How do I tell if so or not?

Answer
Hi Elisha,

yes she is exhibiting signs of pregnancy.  I suggest that you seriously consider fixing your rabbits so that they do not mate and produce unwanted (and inbred) litters.  I understand 4-H won't let you show them, but that isn't the most important thing here.  Spaying your female will double her lifespan - most intact females die by 5-6 of uterine cancer.  Spaying them can allow them to live 10-12 years.  Neutering your male will prevent him from being sexually frustrated his whole life.  Their quality of life will go up, and the quality of your relationship with them will go up as well.  

I should also point out neutering your boy will basically take care of the facial mounting problem you mentioned.  He will be much safer (from a nasty nip) if you do this.

There is a big overpopulation problem with rabbits in America.  The shelter I volunteer at regularly receives 4-H reject rabbits, as the kids in my area are encouraged by 4-H leaders here to dump the imperfect ones at the humane society.

Unless you want baby rabbits, the rule is NEVER let unfixed male and female rabbits have access to each other.  10-15 seconds is all it takes.  Cages cannot be touching - it can happen if they share a common wall.

It does look like you will have babies.  

Lee

PS - check the House Rabbit Society web page here for a recommended rabbit vet:

www.rabbit.org/vets/vets.html

and find one in your area.