Planning a litter or trying to confirm a due date? This Rabbit Gestation Calculator helps you estimate kindling, set up the nest box at the right time, and track key checkpoints from mating to weaning. It uses veterinary references on domestic rabbits to keep your schedule realistic and safe.
How the calculator works
Enter the breeding date. The calculator adds the typical gestation length for domestic rabbits and returns an estimated kindling date. It also shows a practical “due window” that spans a few days around the estimate, because many does kindle a little early or a little late.
Under the hood, it adds 31 days by default and surfaces a three-to-four-day window around that date. This mirrors veterinary guidance that most domestic rabbits kindle at ~31 days, with a normal range from about day 28 to day 33.
Quick start: 3-step guide
- Pick the breeding date. Use the day you witnessed successful mating or the recorded service date.
- Note the due window. Expect kindling around day 31, while understanding that day 28–33 is common.
- Prepare the nest box on day 28–29. This timing reduces soiling and aligns with natural nesting behavior.
Gestation facts you should know
- Typical length: About 31 days for domestic rabbits, with many kindlings falling between 28 and 33 days.
- Kindling signs: Nest building, fur pulling, and restlessness usually appear in the day or two before birth.
- Litter variation: Litter size and timing vary by individual and environment. Wild cottontails carry ~28–30 days; domestic breeds center near 31 days.
Formulas we use (and why)
We keep the math transparent so you can double-check any date by hand if you like.
B = breeding date E = estimated kindling date E = B + 31 days
Wstart = E − 2 to 3 days Wend = E + 1 day
This window reflects routine ranges seen in practice and in reference texts. It helps you avoid “false alarms” if your doe kindles a little earlier or later than the median. Merck VM.
Week-by-week timeline & milestones
Use this outline to plan checks and chores. Exact days can shift a little by breed and individual, so keep an eye on your doe’s behavior.
| Day | Milestone | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | Breeding | Record the date; this drives all later estimates. |
| 6–8 | Ultrasound earliest signs | Uterine fluid & heartbeats are detectable very early with real-time ultrasound in experienced hands. Study: El-Gayar 2014 |
| 10–12 | Manual palpation window | Palpation by trained handlers is typically reliable around day ~12. (If you’re new to it, ask a rabbit-savvy vet.) El-Gayar 2014 |
| 27–29 | Place nest box | Standard recommendation is day 28–29 to prevent fouling and to match natural nesting cues. Merck VM; Merck Management |
| 28–33 | Kindling window | Most domestic does kindle near day 31; day 28–33 is common. |
| ~10 after birth | Eyes & ears open | Newborns are altricial; eyes & ears open by about day 10. Merck: Management. |
| 4–6 weeks after birth | Weaning period | Domestic kits are generally weaned around 6 weeks; some guidelines allow 4–5 weeks depending on context and welfare. Merck VM; RVC Hand-rearing Guide |
Pregnancy testing: palpation & ultrasound
Manual palpation. Experienced hands can feel grape-sized embryonic vesicles around day 12. Done too early or too roughly, palpation risks harm, so training matters. If you’re unsure, let your vet do it first.
Ultrasound. Real-time ultrasound can show uterine fluid by about day 6 and fetal heartbeats by day ~8, with reliable diagnosis around day 11 in research settings. Availability and expertise vary by clinic.
Nest box: when and how to set it up
Put the nest box in at day 28–29. Too early and many does soil it; too late and she may not build in time. Line the box with clean hay or straw. You’ll often see fur pulling in the final 24–48 hours before kindling as she finishes the nest.
- Size & material: A sturdy wooden or metal box sized to your breed keeps kits warm and contained.
- Location: Keep it dry, draft-free, and quiet. Rabbits are easily stressed by noise and intrusions.
- Hygiene: Replace damp bedding promptly; wet nests chill kits quickly.
Nutrition, housing & care tips
Good nutrition supports milk production and recovery. Offer unlimited grass hay, a balanced pellet appropriate for does, and fresh water at all times. Avoid sudden diet changes in late gestation or immediately post-kindling.
- Fiber first: High-fiber diets protect the gut. Move slowly if you plan to adjust calories after kindling.
- Space & stress: Provide room to move, hide, and nurse. Reduce disturbances during the last few days of pregnancy.
- Heat & cold: Newborn kits cannot thermoregulate until roughly a week after birth, so manage drafts and heat carefully.
Weaning window & kit development
Domestic kits are commonly weaned around six weeks. Hand-rearing and orphan care guidelines from university exotics services describe a 4–5 week window in specific circumstances, but earlier weaning raises risk when management and diet are suboptimal. Prioritize gradual transitions and fiber-rich feeds.
Domestic vs. wild timelines
You may see shorter ranges reported for wild cottontails (~28–30 days) in natural history sources. Those values don’t override domestic husbandry guidance or your veterinarian’s advice.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is the Rabbit Gestation Calculator?
It’s a practical estimate based on the median gestation length of domestic rabbits. Biology has wiggle room. Expect a normal spread of ± a few days around the estimate. For exact confirmation, use palpation or ultrasound with a rabbit-savvy veterinarian.
When should I put in the nest box?
Day 28–29 is a widely recommended window. It limits soiling and lines up with normal nesting behavior right before kindling.
What signs mean kindling is close?
Fur pulling, vigorous nest building, and increased restlessness in the final one to two days. Keep handling minimal and double-check the environment for drafts and dampness.
Can rabbits get pregnant again right after kindling?
Does can return to fertility quickly. Many keepers avoid immediate rebreeding so the doe has time to recover and nurse well. If you breed back, plan weaning and nutrition carefully to protect the doe and kits.
What if kindling hasn’t happened by day 34?
Contact your veterinarian. Overdue kindling warrants assessment, especially if your doe appears distressed or you suspect a small litter (which sometimes runs longer). Professional evaluation prevents complications.
How to get the most from this calculator (best practices)
- Record exact dates. If you pair several times in the same day, pick the last service; it aligns best with ovulation in induced ovulators.
- Use reminders. Add calendar alerts for day 28 (nest box), the due window, and a follow-up health check a week after kindling.
- Prepare a kit: clean towels, spare bedding, a small scale to track kit growth, and emergency vet contacts.
Sample care timeline you can print
Copy this checklist into your barn notebook and tick items off as you go.
- Day 0: Breed and log the date.
- Day 12: Optional vet palpation to confirm pregnancy.
- Day 20: Review nutrition; ensure fresh hay and pellets are stocked.
- Day 27–29: Place nest box; add clean straw or hay.
- Day 31 (±2 days): Expect kindling; minimize stress and handling.
- Day 10 after birth: Eyes and ears open; quick health check of kits.
- Weeks 4–6: Gradual weaning according to body condition and feeding behavior.
Troubleshooting common scenarios
“My doe didn’t kindle on the estimated date.”
Check the full due window first. Many does kindle a bit early or late. If she passes day 34 without kits, or if you see straining, call your vet.
“She ignores the nest box.”
Confirm you placed it around day 28–29 and that bedding is dry. Some does “build at the last minute” in the final hours before kindling.
“Kits feel cold.”
Warm them with your hands and dry towels, replace damp bedding, and check for drafts. Neonates cannot regulate temperature until about a week old.
Related tools
- Dog Pregnancy Calculator
- Cat Pregnancy Calculator
- Mare (Horse) Gestation Calculator
- Sheep (Ewe) Gestation Calculator
- Cow Gestation Calculator
- Swine (Sow) Gestation Calculator
Important: This article summarizes widely accepted husbandry guidelines. It does not replace individualized veterinary care. If you suspect complications before or after kindling, contact your veterinarian right away.
