another rabbit question, hurry plz!

Question
Hey dana, thank you so much for your previos replies.. My rabbits should be having there babies here in the next 2-5 days. And im sooo scared,nervous etc.. I talked to a breeder, and she told me, that the best thing to do is watch the doe while she is giving birth, but dont disturb her. and as soon as the babies come out, grab them up as fast as you can because the doe is very quick to take off a limb! that was very disturbing to me... What are the chances that this will happen? is it reaaal common or is it just a possibility? but do you think it would be a good idea to stay up and wait for her to give birth then get the kittens? but what if they dont make a nest? ill have no way of knowing when they will give birth, PLLLZZ tell me somethin that will make me not be scared anymore!

Answer
Dear Eric,

That breeder is, to put it gently, a fool.  What does she think rabbits do naturally?  And how are the babies supposed to be fed if they are separated from the mother?  I really worry about the quality of care that breeder's rabbits are getting if his/her does constantly chew on their babies.  This is a behavior exhibited only by very nervous, stressed animals being kept in substandard conditions--or by a very young, inexperienced rabbit.

If you keep your bunny in a quiet, stress-free area (with papa physically separated so he can't impregnate or harrass her as she's giving birth, or shortly thereafter), and take good, loving care of her, and if she loves and trusts you, then it is not very likely that she will mutilate her babies.  If she does, then it's not something wrong with the bunny, but with the way she is being kept.

A good spot would be a quiet room where she can have her nest box in a corner, and where she will not be disturbed.  If that @#$& breeder is sitting there watching her rabbits and then grabbing away the babies, it's no wonder the poor mama rabbits are stressed enough to harm their babies!

And PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE do not forget to read this:

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

Dana