Phanthom Pregnancy

Question
We have a doe that has recently given birth to Six kittens ( 3 Bucks and 3 does) They are about 10 weeks old now... Well she has started nesting again. Is it a spring thing?  The Bucks were seperated at 8 weeks, by the way. I don't think she can be preggy again so just wondered if a common thing. She has been a great mum.... Your thoughts?  

Answer
HI Mark.

(laughing) yes, you hit it right on the head.  In Rabbit Breeding it is called a false pregnancy - caused by one of her sons mounting her.  It usually lasts 17 days and then she WANTS a buck again.  It is uncommon but not unheard of for a 80 day old buck to get a sister or Mother PG.  I would be on the safe side and give her a nest - hopefully she will not fill it.

Rabbits have a very huge instinct to breed - once breed a Doe will want to be preggy most of the time.  Even if she is with another doe and that doe mounts her she will lose hormones that tell her is is PG and to make a nest.  For that reason we separate kits from Mother at max 44 days.