Winter Kits

A couple of weeks ago, we were in a deep freeze with the day temperatures in the low twenties and night temperatures in the low thirties, except for a couple of nights, when the wind chill combined with the cold temperatures, it was minus 45. The French and Giant Angora rabbits lived together in the big dog kennel. I removed the buck, but the doe must have been bred, because she was building a nest. The only spot she had was the plastic top of a dog kennel filled with hay. I put a lot of hay over and around it as well, to keep her warm in the very cold weather, but Angoras are so well insulated she did not much ever go inside. There is also a second shelter there, not covered with hay, just to get out of the wind.

So, after observing her these past two weeks, I saw that she indeed was going in to the hay covered hut on occasion. She did kindle the day before that terrible cold began and there was no way I believed the babies would have survived. Today was a warm day and I thought it was a good time to check. So I did.

I got down on hands and knees and peeked inside . Lots of fur was in there in a depression and I thought for a moment I saw movement there. I felt around and there were some small bodies, yes. I pulled one out, expecting it to be dead, but it was very much alive and exactly about two weeks old.

Mamma rabbit did kindle on that cold night and miraculously those babies, or some of them, survived.  I quickly returned the kit to the nest and ensured he was covered with that downy fur she pulled. Well, I'll be. Whodathunkit? 

We are expecting another very cold spell and the kits will be more active. She has a good depression in the nest to keep them together, and I am hoping they will be just fine. How exciting! Baby Angoras in midwinter. Wow!