They have two uterine horns.
It is possible to have a different pregnancy in each horn, but exceptionally uncommon. Normally the doe would ovulate in both horns when mating with a rabbit. Normally a rabbit would have a litter, and then can be impregnated again instantly.
The two uterine horns means that kindling (labour) can happen at two separate times and the does seem to be able to stop it if it's distressing. For example, babies from one horn may be born on one day, and those in the other horn, the next.
Does that help?
You would expect her to leave the nest. They are not maternal animals, particularly. They go back to the nest once or twice a day for a few mins and feed (standing up over the nest).
It also doesn't matter if he touches the nest, as long as he is careful. Equally, it doesn't matter if he touches the babies- he needs to check there are no dead babies or placentas in the nest.
He just needs to make sure he smells of nothing strong, and strokes mummy first. If mum is objectionable to him touching the nest, that's when he needs to stop.
He will need to check after about 36 hours that all babies look like they have swallowed a pingpong ball because that indicates they have been fed. If they don't, then he can help her feed (I can explain more if that occurs).
If you want to give him my e-mail address then I'm more than happy for you to and he can drop me an e-mail if he has any advice or questions or anything. It's therabbitlady@googlemail.com Equally, maybe see if he will come to the forum? And you're welcome to PM me or e-mail me too.
Are mum and dad now separate? If they are, were they separated before or after birth? Remind him he can't put dad back with mum after the neuter, until either six weeks after the neuter and rebond then, or until after the babies have grown up and been weaned- whichever comes later.
You would expect her to leave the nest. They are not maternal animals, particularly. They go back to the nest once or twice a day for a few mins and feed (standing up over the nest).
It also doesn't matter if he touches the nest, as long as he is careful. Equally, it doesn't matter if he touches the babies- he needs to check there are no dead babies or placentas in the nest.
He just needs to make sure he smells of nothing strong, and strokes mummy first. If mum is objectionable to him touching the nest, that's when he needs to stop.
He will need to check after about 36 hours that all babies look like they have swallowed a pingpong ball because that indicates they have been fed. If they don't, then he can help her feed (I can explain more if that occurs).
If you want to give him my e-mail address then I'm more than happy for you to and he can drop me an e-mail if he has any advice or questions or anything. It's therabbitlady@googlemail.com Equally, maybe see if he will come to the forum? And you're welcome to PM me or e-mail me too.
Are mum and dad now separate? If they are, were they separated before or after birth? Remind him he can't put dad back with mum after the neuter, until either six weeks after the neuter and rebond then, or until after the babies have grown up and been weaned- whichever comes later.