In the meantime, I have been quite impatiently waiting on Valkyrie. I am really not too sure what she is up to as she stopped nesting days ago suddenly and has just been using her nestbox as a king size bed. I have been checking on her for days because it has been cold and humid and I worry with first time moms. She is somewhere between day 32-36 since she was with the Apollo for a few days in a row.
If you don't already know from my posts or from meeting me in person, I like to get things done and keep it moving. Rabbits have taught me that is not always possible, though. In the wise words of Yoda, I am reminded that:
Even though Valkyrie had all of the signs of being pregnant, she may not be. She may have miscarried or any other number of possibilities. She is reminding me that for all of my years of raising rabbits now, that I still know very little and that nature trumps all manner of planning. Valkyrie is essentially telling me me that I must listen to the lessons that rabbit has to teach me.
So instead of being an insane rabbit owner trying to check up on mama too frequently, I have backed off. Could she have kits on the wire? Yeah. And they will pass if that happens. But the other litters are doing fine. Valkyrie will either get it right or she won't.. or she may not even be with kits at all. So, I spent the day yesterday with my family and dogs and later today I will go check on her again only when it is time to feed. Other than that I will let nature take it's course and heed the lessons that rabbit, like Yoda, had to share.
Ah yes, patience.... it isn't really one of my virtues. But animals and children provide great opportunities for practice!
ReplyDeleteMerry belated Christmas!! Glad your other litters are doing well.
It's so hard! I've literally spent HOURS in the barn waiting on goats to kid. Knowing darn well they'll do it when they are good and ready. It's so hard not to keep checking though!
ReplyDeleteAny news? :) I'm still holding out hope. Any signs of Kari babies?
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone! I think Kari missed and unfortunately nothing yet from Valkyrie. I just checked on her for the first time since yesterday. I've *never* had a doe that nested, haystached, etc. and didn't kindle. Even Bob Bennet says basically if you throw hay in and they pick it up, then they are preggos. She is acting like she isn't at all now though- I'll leave the box in until day 40 and plan to try again if all else fails. I would love to have goats- and I know if I do I will be just as bad in the patience department (probably worse- ha!). Happy Holidays!
ReplyDeleteIt is unusual that she would go to so much trouble and not have any babies.
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