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Doe's excessive fur pulling

C

Clairey-Bun

New Kit
Hello,

I'm a fairly new member, just after some advice. Apologies if this has been addressed in another thread, having a nosey around I've not been able to find much so far so thought I'd ask in a thread of my own.

My Doe had her first litter yesterday (unexpected, but that's a long story and I'm sure not an uncommon one!). I know they pull out fur to help build up and line a nest, but I can't find much info on how much is 'excessive'? She looks awful, so bedraggled and baldy on her neck/dewlap and the sides of both front legs. Almost like we've gone at her randomly with a set of hair clippers. She's pulled out another clump just this morning, even though there's a substantial amount in the nest along with other bedding materials we have provided. I'm just concerned she's over doing it really, does anyone have much experience of this?

We had no evidence she was expecting until we returned home from work yesterday and found the nest. She had not started any form of nest building or fur pulling prior to this.

Many thanks :)
 
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Hello there and welcome to the Forum :) Some does get a bit carried away with their nesting so this is not unusual. The fur will grow back and hopefully you have removed the male as he will get her pregnant again straightaway. If she wasn't with a male then she is having a phantom pregnancy which is fairly common. Can you see any babies in the nest?
 
Hiya,

Thanks for your response. Our male, George, lives separately already, I'm devastated as we dropped the ball (4 weeks back it seems) during a cleaning out session of both their cages (they are indoor buns). Definitely no chance of her being pregnant again thankfully, and he is off for the snip next week! She had 4 kits, 2 of whom sadly we found cold out on their own before bed last night. We tried reviving them by warming them up according to advice we were given but sadly they did not make it. We have 2 alive and well (so far) snuggled up in the nest.

I feel a bit better now you have reassured me about the fur pulling, poor little love looks so bedraggled :roll: Other than that she is her normal self.
 
They don't survive very long out of the nest when first born, but looking at it another way that's 2 less to rehome unless you are considering keeping them, which would be nice for the bunnies. Does with babies especially love grass and dandelions, or fresh greens - this is if she is used to eating these foods. Hope it all goes well.
 
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