does not pulling fur

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What am I missing here? 3 different does in the past couple days have had their litters. They have had them in the nest boxes but the kits were scattered and they had pulled very little fur. The boxes are clean, lined with shavings and hay. Nothing has changed in the barn. Feed, environment all the same. What is going on? 2 of the 3 does have succesfully had litters before so it is not a first time thing. Any imput?

-- tracy (murfette@stargate.net), April 03, 2002

Answers

Tracy, Check for and elimanate rodents. Rats and mice can disturb the does. Especially if you notice several does not caring for kits, that have usually cared for them before. (also snakes if you are in a snake area, luckily no snakes on my place!) Denise

-- Denise K (Rabbitmom2@webbworks.com), April 03, 2002.

I thought of mice/rats but dont believe that is the problem. I have barn cats that do a good job. The cats have always been in the barn so that shouldnt be the problem. These rabbits are pretty well accustomed to all the animals. Horses, cow, goat and silkie chickens. I might add that silkies dont fly so dont have the problem of them roosting on the cages. They do a good job at cleaning up any spilled feed. It has been to cold here for snakes and have never seen one in my barn.

-- tracy (murfete@stargate.net), April 03, 2002.

Some other kind of predator is a possibility. Raccoon or possum? I had one doe do that to me one time only. Then later I ran across a post and they had determined it was something unusual that upset the doe and the fellow trapped a coon. Good luck wih it!

-- Doreen (animalwaitress@yahoo.com), April 03, 2002.

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