by GrahamB » Wed Apr 23, 2014 2:19 am
Well I've learned some valuable lessons today. Doe number 2 was due yesterday and I'd put the nest box in on Sunday. Her problem is she eats any hay I put in her cage, including the contents of the nest box. I refilled it last night still hoping she was pregnant. I'd tried palpating her but never could feel anything. I was in a rush to get to wok this morning and didn't think to check on her. I was also late getting home tonight and wasn't really expecting anything to happen. I looked in her cage and she had not only ate all the hay but had turned the nest box over on its side. Then I noticed there was fur everywhere. Closer inspection revealed eight babies but unfortunately they were all dead.
Lesson one, pay closer attention to her when she is due. Lesson two, wire the nest box to the side of the cage. Lesson three, pack the nest box completely full of hay so if she does eat it, there is some left for the babies.
Doe one is due this coming weekend, so I'll try this strategy with her and hope we have more luck with her. By the time doe two is ready again, I will be off for the summer so I will be able to spend more time with her.
No matter how many mistakes you make or how slow you progress, you are still way ahead of everyone who isn’t trying.