Cuddle factor

Today there is once again something to report from our children’s barn at the Zittrauerhof. Because our offspring season is not over yet.

During these weeks, our dear Schneeflocke became a proud mom for the first time in her rabbit life. A little overwhelmed at first, she has gotten used to having four little balls of wool around her and caring for them over the last few days. She has now also overcome her initial camera shyness and the fear of everything around her, and we were able to inspect our new arrivals!

But how does it actually work with these rabbit offspring?
When you notice that a doe is pregnant, it usually doesn’t take long until the birth is imminent, because after just 28 – 30 days of pregnancy, the little ones want to see the light of day. Usually, you only notice the actual birth date when the doe starts to build her nest. Yes, you read that right: her nest! No, we are not talking about birds; other animals build nests too. Such a nest is assembled from hay and straw and then padded by the expectant mother with fur, which she plucks out herself. The little ones should be nice and warm and cozy, after all!

At birth, the offspring are naked, blind, and deaf, which is why they spend the first few days hidden and well-protected in their nest. After four days, a thin fur develops, and after 9 – 14 days, the little eyes open. It is important that they are only touched and stroked when the little ones leave the nest themselves. If they are touched while still in the nest, it can happen that the rabbit mom no longer nurses them because she notices the foreign scent, and that means death for the little ones.

We are really looking forward to when our offspring can soon hop across the meadows and delight our youngest guests in particular!

Your farmer Katharina