How to Know When a Rabbit Is Having Babies

There is a reason bunnies are synonymous with fertility. They produce large litters and can conceive multiple times throughout the year. A female rabbit ovulates just by being exposed to a buck, so there are no heat cycles. Make sure your does and bucks are separated if you aren't planning to breed. If you have been trying to breed, or think your rabbits might have gotten together accidentally, you won't be able to tell if the doe is pregnant until she is at least 10 days along.

Things You'll Need

  • Nesting box
  • Nesting materials, like straw or wood chips
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Instructions

  1. Pregnancy

    • 1

      Palpate the rabbit's stomach around 14 days past the initial breeding attempt. She won't have a visible "pregnancy" tummy until around three weeks along. Feel for a soft, fluid-like spot in her stomach. That is the amniotic sac. The average rabbit owner should be able to feel the kits, which are like masses about the size of an olive, by 14 days. Some vets and experienced breeders can detect pregnancy as early as 10 days after breeding. Use a very light touch, because kits are fragile and are easily injured or killed. It is advisable to have a vet show you the proper technique with your first rabbit's first pregnancy.

    • 2

      Look for nesting behavior at around 16 days of gestation. The rabbit might dig in her bedding or stuff straw into her mouth.

    • 3

      Feel the kits move by placing your hand on the female rabbit's stomach around day 21. She should also look pregnant by now.

    Birth

    • 4

      Provide a nesting box around day 29, along with nesting materials, like wood chips or straw.

    • 5

      Determine your rabbit is in labor by observing her behavior. She will give birth, or kindle, anywhere from day 30 to day 32 of gestation. One sign of her impending labor is nesting. She will outfit her box with the nesting materials, along with her own hair. Don't be alarmed when she starts pulling her fur out, because she is using it for insulation.

    • 6

      Observe her delivery. First-time moms are more likely to have birthing difficulties than seasoned does. After she is finished birthing, check to make sure she hasn't retained any kits by examining her genitals. Look for bits that look like chunks of liver and help her remove any that are stuck.