Mortality Recording

Track and analyze kit losses to identify patterns, improve management practices, and increase overall survival rates. Understanding mortality helps prevent future losses.

Kit losses are part of rabbit breeding. Recording them honors their lives and helps protect future litters.

Why Track Mortality?

Identify Patterns

Spot recurring issues

Prevent Losses

Address root causes

Breeding Decisions

Select better parents

Track Progress

Measure improvements

Critical Mortality Periods

Understanding when losses are most likely helps focus prevention efforts:

Birth - 48 hrs
30-40%

of losses occur

Days 3-7
20-30%

of losses occur

Week 2-3
15-20%

of losses occur

Week 4-8
5-10%

of losses occur

Recording Kit Deaths in BunnySync

Record Kit Loss

Common Causes of Kit Mortality

Chilling/Exposure

Most common in first week

  • Kits outside nest
  • Poor nest building
  • Inadequate bedding
  • Small litter size
Stillborn/DOA

Dead on arrival

  • Prolonged labor
  • Genetic issues
  • Doe health problems
  • Nutritional deficiencies
Mother Neglect

Doe fails to care for kits

  • First-time mothers
  • Stressed does
  • No milk production
  • Abandonment
Crushed/Trampled

Physical injury from doe

  • Nervous does
  • Small nest boxes
  • Disturbances
  • Large litters
Failure to Thrive

Gradual decline

  • Weak constitution
  • Birth defects
  • Competition for milk
  • Disease
Disease/Infection

Health-related losses

  • Enteritis
  • Respiratory issues
  • Bacterial infections
  • Parasites

Survival Rate Benchmarks

Stage Excellent Good Average Poor
Born Alive 95%+ 90-94% 85-89% <85%
To 1 Week 95%+ 90-94% 80-89% <80%
To Weaning 90%+ 85-89% 75-84% <75%
To 8 Weeks 90%+ 85-89% 75-84% <75%

Prevention Strategies

🛡️ Preventing Chilling Deaths
  • ✓ Provide adequate nesting material (straw, hay)
  • ✓ Check nest boxes twice daily for first week
  • ✓ Ensure proper nest box size and design
  • ✓ Breed multiple does for warmth sharing
  • ✓ Add supplemental heat in extreme cold
🛡️ Reducing First-Time Mother Losses
  • ✓ Provide nest box 2-3 days early
  • ✓ Show doe how to use nest box
  • ✓ Minimize disturbances during kindling
  • ✓ Have foster mothers available
  • ✓ Check more frequently
🛡️ Improving Overall Survival
  • ✓ Select for mothering ability
  • ✓ Maintain optimal doe condition
  • ✓ Provide quality nutrition
  • ✓ Reduce environmental stress
  • ✓ Keep detailed records for patterns

Analyzing Mortality Data

Mortality analysis chart showing trends by cause, age, season, and doe performance

📊 What to Look For in Your Data
  • Seasonal patterns: Higher losses in extreme weather?
  • Doe performance: Some does consistently lose more?
  • Age clusters: Losses concentrated at specific ages?
  • Cause trends: Recurring issues to address?
  • Management changes: Did changes help or hurt?

Creating Action Plans

Use mortality data to create targeted improvement plans:

If Chilling is Primary Cause:
  • Upgrade nest box design for better insulation
  • Add more bedding material in cold months
  • Check nests more frequently (3x daily)
  • Consider heated nest boxes or barn heating
  • Breed for larger litter sizes
If Mother Issues are Primary:
  • Cull does with repeated poor mothering
  • Select daughters from best mothers
  • Reduce stress during late pregnancy
  • Improve nutrition for pregnant does
  • Have foster mothers ready

Making Culling Decisions

⚠️ When to Cull for Poor Mothering

Consider culling does with:

  • Two consecutive litters with >50% mortality
  • History of cannibalism
  • Repeated nest box issues
  • Consistent milk production problems
  • Aggressive behavior toward kits

Detailed Record Keeping

Essential Information to Record:
Basic Data
  • Date and time found
  • Number of kits
  • Age at death
  • Suspected cause
Context Details
  • Weather conditions
  • Doe behavior
  • Nest condition
  • Any recent changes

Dealing with Losses

Remember: Even experienced breeders have losses. Each loss is a learning opportunity that helps improve care for future litters. Be kind to yourself while striving for improvement.

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Last updated: December 2024