What is kindling?

Our two American does will be kindling before the end of the month. We are hopeful that these two new mamas will adapt to their new hutchmates with open paws.

Some information about kindling:

• kindling is the term for giving birth for rabbits

• rabbit gestation is 28-30 days

• does can be palpated to feel small marble like balls growing at 14 days (half way through gestation)

• does need nest boxes big enough to get in and turn around in, plenty of hay and fresh food and water at kindling time

• when a doe is carrying around lots of hay in her mouth, kindling time is near

• baby rabbits are called kits

• kits are born naked, the doe will pull fur from her chest to keep them warm

• you can check on kits daily and make sure to remove and dying or dead kits and put any kits back in that got drug out at nursing time

• does will nurse the kits a few minutes a day

• kits will open their eyes at about 1 week

• kits will start to jump out of the nest at about 2 weeks

• does do not need any assistance with kindling or nursing outside of providing fresh food, water, hay and the nest box

You can visit the rabbits on the farm and help us name some of the new arrivals in March!

Cheers

Farmer Amanda