Becca
Well-Known Member
Today on the school bus my friend said did you know rabbits eat their kits sometimes and I said no I thought that was only gerbils and animals like that and she said no its rabbits too - is that true?
Do does eat their kits?
- Thread starter Becca
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polly
Well-Known Member
Yes they can cannobilise their babies but it tends to happen from stress. If they think the babies are in danger they would eat them to stop predators getting them.
The only other time I have heard of it is if the rabbit has a deficiency during pregnany but its pretty rare
The only other time I have heard of it is if the rabbit has a deficiency during pregnany but its pretty rare
Becca
Well-Known Member
Okay thank you x
gentle giants
Well-Known Member
It's also possible for an inexperienced mother to "overgroom" to the point where she can bite off ears or toes.
BlueGiants
Well-Known Member
If a baby is born dead, some of my mothers will try to eat the dead baby to "get rid of it". Probably as a protection for the other kits.
I've also seen newmothers try to kill and eat the babies because they are scared or threatened by the babies. (Where did THESE things come from! They have to go away!) Maternal hormones in a "first time" doe may not be strong enough for hours after kindling. One more reason to keep any eye on does when they kindle.
Any percieved threat (predator/noise/etc.) may cause a doe to get rid of the babies. Sad, but she does it for their own protection.
I've also seen newmothers try to kill and eat the babies because they are scared or threatened by the babies. (Where did THESE things come from! They have to go away!) Maternal hormones in a "first time" doe may not be strong enough for hours after kindling. One more reason to keep any eye on does when they kindle.
Any percieved threat (predator/noise/etc.) may cause a doe to get rid of the babies. Sad, but she does it for their own protection.
