Pet Information > ASK Experts > Exotic Pets > Rabbits > pregnant does

pregnant does

22 11:20:51

Question
I am completely new to rasing rabbits and have leanred a little about their feeding care and not much more. I recently aquired 10 rabbits.  And was told it was a doe and a buck and their litter.  The buck was already separated when I picked the rabbits up.  Now 2 weeks later I have 12 additional bunnies!  

And no idea who the mama rabbit of the first 7 is?  Then a day later noticed another doe pulling hair so  removed her and she had 5 within an hour? And 1 week after that I found another doe pulling hair so I have separated her, and have also separated EVERY single rabbit until I know which is male and which is female?

So I have several question.......

How to identify the doe that had the first 7?  I put the kits in with the doe that I KNEW had given birth to the 5?  Hoping she could take care of them.  But have lost 5 of them.

Now, is this 3rd doe about to have kits as well?  She is pulling hair today and has been put in a birthing cage, or what I was told when I purchased the cage is that it is a "kit saver" cage?  So $200 later I have 19 rabbits and more on the way!

They were obviously pregnant when I got them.

So how do I tell who the "bucks" are?  And if the 3rd doe is actually pregnant?  And do you think that more then likely ALL the does are pregnant?  Will a doe take care of kits that are not hers?

I know this is a lot to ask.  But they need some expert help!  I only want to do the best for them.  Please help me.  

Answer
hi sunny=-what a mix up lol
i will answer as best i can
1.you wont be able to identify the doe that had the first 7 as they are not very motherly and wont pick up their babies.
2.it sounds as though the buck got them all pregnant and you may still see more babies
3. to pick out the buck turn the rabbits upside down and you should see his testes.
4 a doe will most likely reject other babies from another litter.
dave.