How Many Bunnies Can a Rabbit Have in a Litter?

Rabbits are known for being prolific breeders. A female bunny, called a "doe," births multiple offspring with every pregnancy and is capable of conceiving again within days of delivery. Unless you're a qualified breeder who can find good homes for many litters, keep male and female bunnies in separate cages. Better yet, have your rabbits spayed or neutered.

  1. Typical Litter Size

    • Giant rabbit breeds can produce as many as 15 bunnies in a single litter.

      It is possible for a female bunny to produce as many as 15 baby bunnies, or kits, in a single litter, but that's an extreme. Typically, bunny size determines litter size. Smaller breeds typically have smaller litters. Dwarf bunny breeds may produce as few as two to four kits per litter -- that's one to three fewer than small-breed rabbits. Medium-size rabbits will typically produce between five and nine kits per litter. Giant rabbits will birth seven to 15 baby bunnies in a single litter.

    Heredity

    • When it comes to rabbit reproduction, heredity has a lot to do with determining the size of a litter. Larger breed does typically produce larger litters than those of smaller breeds, but cross-breeding smaller does with larger-breed bucks can increase the number of kits, and breeding larger-sized bunnies with smaller ones can increase the odds of producing a smaller litter.

    Diet

    • Good nutrition will contribute to the size of a litter.

      Just as in human pregnancies, nutrition is an important determining factor in the overall size and health of a doe's litter. Well-fed does are more likely to produce larger litters than malnourished ones. During pregnancy, a doe should eat plenty of alfalfa and fresh vegetables, including carrots, celery, cucumber, parsley, and rabbit pellets. She should also have clean water available to drink always.

    Environment

    • A bunny may spontaneously abort her litter if she feels her nesting environment is hostile. An expectant doe needs a nurturing, secure nest area to ensure a healthy litter. At least 26 days into to the gestation period, provide a nesting box that is at least 4 inches wider and longer than the doe, and fill it with clean, nontoxic bedding materials.