COMMERCIAL RABBIT RAISING 



37 



B 79008 



Figure 16. — Uteri from three does showing embryonic development of 10-, 14-, and 

 21-day pregnancies. The 10-day embryo was so small that it did not show in the 

 picture. 



may be able to save them by warm- 

 ing, even if they appear to be life- 

 less. Arrange the bedding mate- 

 rial to make a comfortable nest 

 (fig. 17), and place the warmed 

 young in it. The doe usually will 

 take over from there. The doe's 

 fur is easily removed at kindling 

 time, and you can pull enough 

 from the doe's body to cover the 

 litter in the nest. It is advisable 

 to keep extra fur on hand for such 

 cases. Remove some fur from 

 nests where does have pulled an 

 excessive amount and keep it 

 handy in a bag or box so it will 

 remain clean. It is not necessary 

 to sterilize or to deodorize the fur, 

 or take any special measures to 

 prevent the doe from smelling the 

 strange fur. 



A day or two before kindling, 

 the doe usually consumes less food 

 than normally. Do not disturb 



her, but make her as comfortable 

 as possible. You may tempt her 

 at that time with small quantities 

 of green feed. This will have a 

 beneficial effect on her digestive 

 system. 



Most litters are kindled at night. 

 After kindling, the doe may be 

 restless. Do not disturb her until 

 she has quieted down. 



Complications at Kindling Time 



Anterior, or breech presentation 

 of youn^ at birth is normal. If 

 the doe is in proper condition for 

 kindling, complications are rare. 

 Pregnancy, however, makes a 

 heavy demand on the doe and 

 lowers her vitality, making her 

 more susceptible to disease. A few 

 days before or several days follow- 

 ing kindling, pnuemonia may de- 

 velop. If you are to treat pneu- 



