So, let’s see… it’s been 43 days since we bred our rabbit, well over the 28-32 day gestation period. Any sign of baby bunnies hopping around?
Nope.
No bunnies.
Any chance she still might surprise us?
Nope. I don’t think so.
Yeah, it’s a little disappointing.
But oh well, it was worth a shot! I thought for sure she was going to have bunnies about a week ago. I found that she’d been pulling fur out, which is a sign that she is starting to prepare a nest. And she’s gotten bigger, that’s for sure. Though we have been feeding her like a queen with old produce from a local market and fresh greens from around the home.
But the days have gone by, and still no little furballs. I had a nightmare the other night that I went out and found that she’d had babies, but they’d all frozen in the night and were dead. I ran out the next morning to make sure everything was still okay. But no sign of any changes. I’ve finally decided that she just wasn’t pregnant after all.
Guess we’ll have to try again in Spring. I think her boyfriend was just past his prime. Poor dear Hopper passed away the other night. We all knew it was just a matter of time.
We really hoped to give our friends a new baby bunny to replace its sweet daddy, but I’m afraid it just didn’t work out like that. Hopefully we’ll find her a new mate.
Oh well, if at first you don’t succeed…
A city girl learning to homestead on an acre of land in the country. Wife and homeschooling mother of four. Enjoying life, and everything that has to do with self sufficient living.
My poor youngest granddaughter, I told her the only reason I would raise rabbits, was for supper. OH the look that came over her was priceless. I told her you eat chicken, eat beef/cow, and eat pork/pig, and I explained that I couldn’t afford to raise animals as pets, except cats and dogs, both of which have jobs to do. After thinking it over a few minutes, she told me she could understand my thinking, but I could tell, NO rabbit for her.
@ Jenn – I did live in the country for 5 years and someone released at least one domesticated rabbit out there and they did indeend “breed like a bunch of rabbits.” Problem was they were all half wild at that point and wouldn’t let you near them. At the same time we had a huge problem with ground squirrels. We did not want to put out poision for the squirrels because it would hurt the bunnies! It was neat to pull into the driveway and see half a dozen or more cute little cotton tails munching on the grass 🙂
I have only lived in the country for 3 1/2 years so I guess in a lot of ways I am still a city slicker. All this talk of rabbit breeding just cracks me up. I thougt that was where the phrase cam from.. you know….”breed like a bunch of rabbits”?! Guess not all rabbits are super fertile oh well better luck next time Kendra!
We have a doe that is on her third litter. She pulled her hair out about a week or so ago, and JUST had her babies 2 days ago. She only had 5 or 6 this time, 9 in the the past 2 litters. I haven’t dug in the nest too much, as it is cold in West TN, and I don’t want them to get chilled.
We had our buck and doe together from February to May, and nothing. We intended to get 2 does, but that didn’t happen. Ha Ha. It could be that the buck or doe you have are a little young, yet… Blessings to you and the family !!
if at first you dont succeed…breed, breed again. lol…sorry, couldnt resist.
Hahahaha, Jessica 🙂
That is great!! Keep up the great work!!
LOL, thanks Pat!