Reasons for Does Eating Kits & Prevention Methods - 50
Understanding and Preventing the Litter Eating Behavior in Rabbits
One: Nutritional Deficiencies in the Mother Rabbit
When the diet of a mother rabbit is monotonous, leading to a chronic lack of vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients, or insufficient protein, especially if there's a shortage of fresh green feed around the time of giving birth, the rabbit may exhibit the behavior of eating its young.
Preventive Measures: During the breeding period, ensure a wellrounded diet for the mother rabbit, which includes ample protein and a variety of vitamins, minerals, and trace elements. Additionally, provide a sufficient amount of fresh green feed. In summary, maintaining a balanced diet is crucial.
Two: Disturbances During Birth
One common cause of a mother rabbit eating her offspring is being startled during labor. If the rabbit hears unusual noises or is subjected to strong external stimuli during birth, she may resort to eating her young.
Preventive Measures: Keep the rabbit's nesting area quiet during labor, avoid any sudden noises, and stay close by to prevent other animals from entering. This will help prevent the rabbit from becoming startled and eating her offspring.
Three: Unpleasant Odors in the Nest Box
Rabbits have a keen sense of smell. If a mother rabbit detects an unpleasant odor during labor, she might stop giving birth or, after delivery, trample on or eat her kits.
Preventive Measures: Clean and disinfect the nesting box thoroughly a few days before the rabbit is due to give birth. After disinfection, expose it to sunlight for drying. Then, line it with clean bedding and ensure it remains dry to prevent mold. Also, clean the nesting box promptly after birth to avoid any unpleasant smells.
Four: Postpartum Dehydration in the Mother Rabbit
As the rabbit gives birth, it consumes the placenta, which can lead to thirst. Typically, the rabbit will leave the nest box to drink water after giving birth. If the owner has not provided water beforehand, the rabbit, extremely thirsty, might eat its kits.
Preventive Measures: Prepare plenty of water for the rabbit before and after birth. Salty water can be even more beneficial.
Five: Insufficient Milk Production Postpartum
Insufficient milk production due to a lack of fresh green feed before and after birth can lead to hungry kits competing for food. If this causes the mother rabbit pain, she may refuse to nurse or kill her kits.
Preventive Measures: Enhance the mother rabbit's nutrition by feeding her more juicy foods before and after birth to increase milk production. Also, observe for any prelabor hairpulling behavior, as it can stimulate乳腺 development and milk secretion. If the rabbit does not pull out its fur, the owner should assist in this process.
Six: Poor Mothering Instinct in FirstTime Mothers
Firsttime mother rabbits may have poor mothering instincts and lower milk production. Due to the pain of giving birth, these rabbits might eat the placenta along with the kits.
Preventive Measures: When selecting breeding rabbits, choose those with good mothering instincts, high litter sizes, and good milk production. Also, during breeding, check the rabbit's vulva for development and redness; rabbits with small vulvas and no redness should not be bred.
Seven: Pica in Rabbits
As mentioned earlier, if the owner's management is inadequate before birth, the rabbit's diet is unbalanced, or the rabbit is startled during birth, it may eat its kits. After eating its kits once, the rabbit may continue this behavior during its second litter, developing a habit known as pica.
Preventive Measures: After the rabbit has given birth, immediately separate the kits from the mother and keep them in separate enclosures.
These are the reasons for and preventive measures against a mother rabbit eating her young, summarized by Oxygen Pet Doctor. We hope this information is helpful to you.
