Before an old doe rabbit gives birth, she actively prepares a good environment for her offspring. She may even sacrifice her own fur, pulling it out with her mouth to make a soft and warm cushion. During the birthing process, she expends a lot of energy, loses a significant amount of water, and may become very thirsty with a dry mouth. If she cannot find adequate fluids to drink, she might resort to biting and sucking the blood of her newborn rabbits. When there are many newborns, if the old doe’s milk is insufficient, she may also bite and kill the young rabbits.
It’s important to prepare a secluded and quiet environment for the mother rabbit during birth. After delivery, avoid rushing to check on or disturb her. Otherwise, due to fear and panic, the old doe may relocate the young rabbits, potentially leading to their death from being abandoned or not fed. Even young rabbits not born to her that enter her nest may be bitten to death.
Therefore, during the birth of a litter, ensure the nest is filled with clean, dry straw, prepare fresh clean water, and maintain a quiet environment to minimize the risk of the mother rabbit biting her offspring. Old does that habitually kill young rabbits due to poor temperament should be eliminated.
It’s not normal for an old doe to bite or eat her young. If this behavior persists, it could jeopardize the survival and continuation of the species.