Mortality Recording
Track and analyze kit losses to identify patterns, improve management practices, and increase overall survival rates. Understanding mortality helps prevent future losses.
Why Track Mortality?
Spot recurring issues
Address root causes
Select better parents
Measure improvements
Critical Mortality Periods
Understanding when losses are most likely helps focus prevention efforts:
Birth - 48 hrs
of losses occur
Days 3-7
of losses occur
Week 2-3
of losses occur
Week 4-8
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.
Turn Data into Action! 📈
You now understand how to track and analyze kit mortality. This data will help you identify problems, implement solutions, and improve survival rates over time.
Next, learn about automating litter care with task templates.
Continue to Litter Task Templates →