Thrianta Mothering

[rachel]

Hi guys, as I mentioned on the other thread I just had my first litter of Thriantas about 4 days or so ago. A litter of 8! The doe is being a superb mother, even after having to change her into a different cage the day after the babies were born! I am really impressed. This is my first rabbit litter since I was a kid in 4-H and I don't remember it ever being this easy.

It got me wondering if this is typical to the breed, or if this doe's mothering instincts are particularly worth trying to perpetuate.

She's a pretty decent doe all around, a little weak in general type and has a few white hairs I am particularly concerned about, but overall she has great breed type and very acceptable color for what I've seen so far in the breed.

What is your average litter size? How are your Thriantas as mothers?

[Demi]

With the first doe I had, I was advised not to go near the nest until at least a week old, as she would bury the litter. It was quite annoying, but I suppose it was a good thing she cared for them that much. She had a litter of 6, and if I remember rightly that's how many she had in her past litters.

[Briana]

I've only had one litter so far. The mother (Victoria) was very nippy at first. I didn't really blame her since she was in a new home and was getting used to things. Plus she wanted to be bred...and most of my does get nippy when they want to be bred... lol Anyways, I was concerned since she was a little more nippy than my other does, but she was an AMAZING mother. She took wonderful care of all 6 babies. After about 3 days she let me touch them and was fine with me checking them every day. She is still lovey on her babies, even now. lol There are still some does left in her "extra large condo cage" and she is fine with them and still allows cuddling. Most of my woolies would be plunking wool off the babies! Ha! I'm glad Vicky isn't a fur chewer as of yet.

[Demi]

I have a doe and her daughter living together at the moment, as a trial The baby is 11 weeks old, and they still seem fine together, still grooming each other, no chasing. They're in a 5ftx2ft hutch, with a ledge bit so they can get away from each other if needed

[rachel]

My two Thrianta does, a Rex doe, and a baby Rex buck all lived successfully in a colony about 4x6 until a couple of weeks ago. There was definitely a pecking order, but everyone did fine. Rabbits are very social, I love being able to watch them interact. This litter and mom will probably all grow out together until about 2.5 to 3 months old, then I will have to start separating the bucks into their own colony. Planning on keeping them through the winter before culling around 6 months, unless I have any really bad DQs (massive amounts of white hair, for example.)

Posting pictures of the litter in the photo section!