Pregnant bunny

[Killerbunnies]

My Flemish bun Annabelle is coming up on day 30 after her accidental breeding. I’m fairly certain she’s pregnant, but I’m not positive. I haven’t taken her to a vet yet, as she’s not overdue yet. I’m getting a bit concerned though. She has seemed a bit anxious yesterday and a little bit of today, but she is still just as affectionate as ever. She also hasn’t really started to build a nest. She has had some mild fur pulling, but nothing like what I see in YouTube videos, and not of recent. She’s about 10 months old, and this is her first (and only!!) litter. I haven’t noticed any bunny kicks when she’s laying down, and she seems to eat just as much as ever. Am I just being overly worried? I’ve not ever had a female before her, so I’m at a bit of a loss here. She *looks* fatter to me, and like her dewlap has grown, but I’m really not sure. HALP please! Lol

[Wick & Fable]

I think going to a rabbit-savvy vet is the best route, especially since you have not had a female before — while online resources are magnificent and informative, having a rabbit-savvy vet actually examining your rabbit, and the ability to ask candid questions then and there can be so much more helpful and comforting for you and your rabbit. I am not experienced with pregnant rabbits (or females), but I’ve heard that a female’s first litter is treated differently because the female doesn’t know how to be a “mother”, so it is important for you to know what to do if your rabbit neglects the kits. That being said, I am uneducated in the timeline for a pregnant rabbit. I will flag some of the forum leaders who are more knowledgeable.

** A reminder to all users that the discussion of intentional breeding is prohibited on these forums, but the OP has specified this is an accidental litter; not intentional.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[Killerbunnies]

Thank you so much for this! I figured a rabbit savvy vet would be smart, and I’ve been reading all the materials I can online. I read a good article today about how does will not move their babies, that I will have to do it for her, so I have been vigilant in keeping an eye on her and her nest box. She is also (of course) a house bunny, so I feel like that will help in being able to help her mother her babies better too.

I am so grateful for whatever info anyone can provide, if any. I feel so awful that she was bred accidentally I will be so grateful once she weans, and I can get her and my other boys fixed.

[jerseygirl]

From what I’ve read in the past, it can be hard to confirm pregnancy in a rabbit other the X-ray/sonogram. There is only a small window of opportunity to feel them and that’s about 2weeks in. Experienced breeders probably can though.

As to when they are ready to birth; fur pulling and nest building can happen right the day before -sometimes not at all. It’s a hormonal change that allows the fur to become loosened and pulled easily.

I’ve only had 1st hand exp one time, back in 2012. My rabbit Maple seemed to become very industrious on a Friday night. Just had a very alert look about her. Nothing happened though until the Sunday night.
She apparently did pull fur earlier on the pregnancy but she wasnt with me at the time. I do wonder if it was due to some stress as she was being rehomed by her former owner.
Up until that weekend, it was only a suspicion that she could be pregnant. I didn’t have the benefit of knowing her nature beforehand. She was a very scared and vocal little rabbit when I met her. That changed immediately after she had the litter.

I had also read expecting mums will go off their food before giving birth. So don’t be surprised if you see your girl do that the day before.

If it’s a false pregnancy, she will probably still pull fur/nest, although that more likely to have happened earlier on.

[jerseygirl]

Rabbits can definitely go over the 30 day mark. I am not sure if that is more common with certain breeds or age of the rabbit.
But the risk of septicemia rises so it would need intervention if she goes too long over or if doesnt completely birth all the kits.
There can also be a gap between when they come. For example, she might have some kits several hours after the others. Or even a full day after.
With a Flemish, you might be getting around 8 babies.

[DarthVadar]

Leave a nestbox with hay in her living space for a week or so just in case. She may not use it, even if she is pregnant; rabbits sometimes kindle in weird places. If you see a corner of her pen full of fur, there are prob kits there. Since this is her first litter, she may also have the litter then scatter the babies. If she does, put them back in the nestbox. It is a myth that rabbits will refuse to nurse babies that people have touched, especially people they know very well. Good luck!!!

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