How long does pregnancy last in rabbits: timing and how to determine fertility

In breeding rabbits, okrol is an important stage in their life. A novice breeder should know all the nuances of this process, including how long the pregnancy lasts in rabbits. After mating, the female is fertilized. At this time, proper care of the individual, proper nutrition is important. With proper care, you can get a full-fledged, he althy offspring.

How long do rabbits bear baby rabbits?

A pregnant female walks for 28-35 days. The duration of gestation depends on several factors:

1. Number of embryos. The more babies in the womb, the more difficult it is for them to develop. Therefore, the enrollment occurs ahead of schedule.
2. Age of the woman in labor. For the first time after mating, the female gives a few offspring. Also, productivity decreases in aging individuals. Young animals have a greater number of rabbits, respectively, the period of bearing offspring is reduced.
3. Breed of rabbits. In breeds of small rodents, okrol passes faster. The larger the individual, the longer the period of gestation of rabbits.
4. Mom's he alth. For the entire period of pregnancy, the rabbit needs special care, conditions of detention and good nutrition. Compliance with such measures contributes to the normal course of pregnancy and the birth of he althy crumbs.

For one round, the female is able to bring from 4 to 12 cubs. On average, rabbits of large breeds give birth to offspring for 30-34 days. For example, representatives of the breed white giant, Californian, Soviet chinchilla. Rabbits are born with an average weight of 70-80 grams.

Soviet marder breed lasts 29-30 days. Rabbits after birth weigh 60 grams. After how many days a female gives birth depends on the characteristics of the breed, the weight of the individual.

How to determine the rabbit's birth?

After mating, pregnancy is determined on the 14-15th day. To do this, conduct a visual inspection, use the method of palpation.

Physiological changes

You can check the success of mating by probing the female's abdomen. It is advisable to entrust these manipulations to an experienced veterinarian. For palpation, the rabbit is taken by the scruff of the neck and ears, held with the other hand. The thumb is placed on one side of the animal, the remaining fingers on the opposite side. In the presence of pregnancy, embryos are probed in the female's abdomen. For comparison, an inexperienced rabbit breeder can palpate the abdomen of an individual that is not expecting offspring.

You can determine the success of the fertilization of a rabbit by external signs, namely, by a rounded belly.A noticeable change occurs 7 days after mating. Although such a sign is not always visually determined. The longer the period, the more the belly grows and becomes more noticeable.

Before mating, the rabbit is weighed. The weight is then checked within two weeks of mating. With successful mating, the female gains weight from 200 to 400 grams within two weeks, looks larger than usual.

Changes in behavior

There are other behavioral signs of a big-eared beast's pregnancy. After fertilization, the individual avoids contact with the male. The farmer can find out the position of the rabbit by placing a rabbit next to her 7-9 days after mating. A pregnant female will show aggression towards him, attack and even bite.

Some individuals become shy, start dragging dry grass into the house. The female rabbit makes a nest. She rips out fluff on her chest, covers the bottom of the queen cell for future offspring.

A rabbit that carries offspring begins to consume more water and food. She may throw food out of the feeder, signaling that it is time for her to change her diet.

How to care for a pregnant rabbit?

To maintain the he alth of the rabbit and her future offspring, it is necessary to provide complete care, a balanced diet, and a favorable environment.

Feeding

Immediately after mating, the female is provided with quality food. A balanced diet guarantees the full development of the fetus, the appearance of he althy babies. The diet includes a variety of high quality feed. If the rabbit ate good food, it is not advisable to change the diet, the breeder only increases the number of servings.

Experienced breeders recommend giving a pregnant female fresh hay in the morning. After dinner, the menu includes concentrated feed. Be sure to introduce vitamins, minerals, useful micro- and macroelements into the diet. Calcium is given in the form of chalk, bone meal.

Feed must include components:

• compound feed, oats;
• high protein foods;
• fresh, firm vegetables;
• fish oil;
• minerals.

Important! With a lack of s alt, the rabbit is able to eat the offspring. Therefore, there must be mineral supplements in the feeder.

Care

With the approach of birth, the breeder prepares a mother liquor - a place where the female will build a nest. Usually it is built in the form of a box in which the animal is calmly placed. The container is made with sides so that the kids do not fall out of it. The bottom of the mother liquor is covered with dry grass, newspaper, sawdust.

The house should always be clean, comfortable for the animal. For the cage, choose a quiet place without extraneous noise. It is advisable to darken the installation site of the house, as bright light can scare a pregnant female.

Problems related to pregnancy

If proper care is not followed, malnutrition of a rodent may cause he alth problems that lead to the death of offspring. There are a number of problems associated with rabbit pregnancy:

1. Mastitis - occurs in the absence of hygiene, cleanliness in the house. Contaminated milk poses a real threat to babies, which leads to death. If such a danger arises, you should immediately seek help from a veterinarian.
2. Toxicosis - intoxication of the body is not characteristic of all rabbit breeds. It occurs due to the lack of nutrients in the diet. The problem is eliminated by introducing a dropper of glucose to the animal.
3. Eating newborn rabbits - various factors can be the reasons. These include: malnutrition, lack of s alt in the body, malnutrition, stress.

During childbirth, it is important to monitor the condition of the rabbit. If the duration of the birth exceeds the allowable limits, the assistance of a veterinarian will be required.

Rabbit breeding is a popular type of business, as breeding eared pets is considered profitable and simple. But even here, attention from the farmer is required to get regular, he althy offspring.

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