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Question

hi my doe had two kits 5 days ago and has moved them ot they have moved themselves outside the nesting box..are they ok..mum has covered them with fur.

Submitted: 82 days and 19 hours ago.
Category: Pet
Value: $11
Status: CLOSED
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Optional Information

Pet's Sex: Female
Pet's Age: 1

Accepted Answer

Hi there

It's not usual for the young to emerge from the nest until about 2-3 weeks of age, so this is certainly very early, although it sounds as if your doe is trying to make sure they are warm if she's covered them in her fur.

The problem is, that because doe's are very territorial, especially after giving birth, if you try and place them back in the nest box, she may actual become aggressive and hurt/kill the kits.

My advice would be to leave them be for now- as the doe may decide to move them back into the nest box herself- if they stay warm, fed, and the area around the hutch is kept quiet, then they should be ok- it's better than risking interference at this early stage.

Regards Andrea

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Expert: andrearoberts
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Accepts: 
Answered: 9/1/2009

Veterinarian

bvm&s mrcvs 15 years as a companion animal veterinarian

82 days and 10 hours ago.

Reply

having not recieved your reply alittle sooner i have had to act as both kits were at opposite sides of the cage with no covering and mum hadnt tried to do anything even with it becoming dark. i have moved them back into the nest box tho they are very jumpy and not sure if they will stay there! i did get mums scent on me first and petted her before during and after moving them. mum was alarmed at first unsure where they were but eventually settled down to watching over them again..do you think all should be ok with how she has responded?

Accepted Answer

That actually sounds very promising now- if she's used to a lot of attention from you anyway, that will really help, and you certainly couldn't have left the little ones uncovered, so your actions were correct. Hopefully they will stay in the nestbox for a week or so now, until they have some fur of their own!!

Andrea

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Expert: andrearoberts
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Answered: 9/2/2009

Veterinarian

bvm&s mrcvs 15 years as a companion animal veterinarian

81 days and 9 hours ago.

Reply

could i keep the two babies permently with their mum if they were either female or males that were castrated? was it 10 days old before i can handle them?..sorry for all the questions!

Accepted Answer

Yes, you could keep them with the mum if they are females or neutered males- although sometimes mature females will fight, in which case spaying the females is beneficial.

You should be able to start handling them from about 2 weeks of age.

Andrea

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Expert: andrearoberts
Pos. Feedback: 100.0 %
Accepts: 
Answered: 9/3/2009

Veterinarian

bvm&s mrcvs 15 years as a companion animal veterinarian

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