How can beginners accurately tell if a rabbit is pregnant?
SummaryBeginners can use methods such as using a buck to check the doe, stroking the doe to see her reaction, observing the doe pulling grass, observing whether the doe digs at the floor, observing whether the doe's daily feed and water intake increase, observing the glossiness of the rabbit's fur, examining the doe's vulva, and checking the doe's body weight to judge whether a rabbit is pregnant. In fact, the more accurate method is palpation to check for fetuses, but it requires a certain amount of experience and skill, and beginners must not do it blindly, so as not to harm the doe.
1. Using a buck to check the doe
In the actual procedure, after the doe has been mated for 4 days, place the doe in the buck's cage. If the doe makes a cooing sound and also refuses to let the buck approach, this indicates that the doe is already pregnant. This method is relatively simple, but it cannot judge accurately, so other methods can be used to further confirm.
2. Stroking the doe
About 4-5 days after the doe has been mated, if the keeper approaches the doe or strokes her and hears the doe make a cooing sound, or she is unwilling to be stroked, this also indicates that the doe is pregnant. It still needs to be observed together with the doe's usual behavior.
3. Observing the doe pulling grass
About 6-7 days after the doe has been mated, grass can be placed on the cage's hay rack. If by evening the doe pulls the grass from the hay rack into her own cage and piles it to one side, this indicates that the doe is pregnant, but it must be distinguished from false pregnancy.
4. Observing whether the doe digs at the floor
About 7 days after the doe has been mated, a pregnant doe has the instinctive trait of building a nest and making a burrow. A pregnant doe will dig intermittently at the cage floor, assuming the posture of digging soil to make a burrow. This method is fairly reliable.
5. Observing whether the doe's daily feed and water intake increase
About 9 days after the doe has mated, her food intake will increase compared with usual. As the fetuses continue to grow, the doe's appetite and thirst gradually increase, thereby increasing her food and water intake.
6. Observing the glossiness of the rabbit's fur
About 10 days after the doe becomes pregnant, the glossiness of the coat will increase; after more than half a month it increases noticeably; after more than 20 days the coat becomes shiny, the hair roots are looser and can be pulled out by grasping, and the mammary glands will have milk. This method of detection is fairly accurate, but early confirmation is helpful for supplementing mating.
7. Examining the doe's vulva
More than 7 days after the doe has been mated, the doe's vulva can be examined. If it is cherry-shaped and red and swollen, this is a sign of pregnancy; if she is in estrus, she is not pregnant. This method can be combined with the doe's reactions of pulling grass and digging at the cage floor.
8. Checking the doe's body weight
About 20 days after the doe becomes pregnant, as the fetuses grow, the doe's lower abdomen will noticeably enlarge and her body weight will gradually increase.
9. Palpation
In fact, the more accurate method is palpation to check for fetuses, but this method requires a certain amount of experience and skill, and beginners must not do it blindly, to prevent harming the doe.