Cannibalism

Cause:
Deficient diet, lack of water, rodents or dogs barking nearby, temperament, (heredity), or anything upsetting and exciting a doe

Symptoms:
Doe east her litter

Treatment:
Cull the doe that continues to practice this, feed a pellet ration, provide plenty of fresh clean water, and keep her calm.


Many times if a doe becomes upset or excited during kindling the result is cannibalism. Dogs barking can especially upset a doe and cause her to eat her litter.

A doe from a production strain, with good maternal instincts, should be bred into the line. This will usually stop the practice of cannibalism.

If you have a doe that is cannibalistic, try changing her hutch from the last litter, and check water supply to see that she has plenty of water. If a doe continues to eat her litter, cull her from the herd.
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