Rabbit Gestation Calculator

Breeding Date

‹	December 2024	›
24	25	26	27	28	29	30
1	2	3	4	5	6	7
8	9	10	11	12	13	14
15	16	17	18	19	20	21
22	23	24	25	26	27	28
29	30	31	1	2	3	4

Rabbit Breed

A Desert Cottontail & New England Cottontail doe that bred on 13 Dec 2024 has an approximate kindling date of

Saturday, January 11, 2025

The due date could fall between 10 Jan and 12 Jan. Learn more about the Key Gestation Milestones.

31 Days Until Birth

Created by Wes Nolte.Last updated Jun 10, 2024. References.

How to use the Rabbit Gestation Calculator

Using the Rabbit Gestation Calculator is straightforward and intuitive. To begin, select the date when the doe was bred from the calendar input. Once the breeding date is selected, the calculator will automatically compute the expected kindling date. Additionally, it provides a range of possible dates to account for natural variations in gestation length, typically between 29 and 33 days.

Rabbit Gestation Milestones

Here's a list of key milestones in rabbit pregnancy, broken down by stages:

Phase	Time	Characteristics
Fertilization and Early Pregnancy	Days 1-2 Starting 13 Dec	Mating and Fertilization: Successful mating leads to fertilization. Embryo Formation: Fertilized eggs form embryos and travel to the uterus.
Embryo Implantation	Days 6-8 Starting 19 Dec	Implantation: Embryos implant in the uterine lining. Early Signs of Pregnancy: Slight behavioral changes might be noticeable.
Fetal Development	Days 10-14 Starting 23 Dec	Veterinary Confirmation: A vet can confirm pregnancy through palpation or ultrasound. Visible Physical Changes: Enlargement and darkening of nipples; slight abdominal enlargement.
Palpation Check	Days 10-14 Starting 23 Dec	Veterinary Confirmation: A vet can confirm pregnancy through palpation.
Rapid Growth Period	Days 15-25 Starting 28 Dec	Ultrasound Viability: Heartbeats are detectable via ultrasound. Significant Physical Changes: Noticeable increase in the mother's abdominal size; increased appetite.
Preparation for Birth	Days 26-28 Starting 8 Jan	Fetal Development Completion: Kits develop most features by now. Nesting Behavior: The mother may start looking for a place to give birth.
Place Nest Box	Day 27 Starting 9 Jan	Provide a Nest Box: Place a nest box in the doe's enclosure for kindling.
Pre-Labor Stage	Day 29-30 Starting 11 Jan	X-ray Viability: An X-ray can show the number of kits. Physical Readiness: The mother's body prepares for labor; she may show signs of discomfort.
Final Day and Labor	Day 31 Starting 13 Jan	Labor Signs: Restlessness, nesting, loss of appetite, temperature drop. Labor and Delivery: The onset of labor leading to the birth of kits.
Post-Birth	13 Jan	Immediate Postpartum: Ensuring all kits are nursing and the mother is caring for them. Veterinary Check-up: Post-birth check-up for mother and kits.

Additional Milestones

Health Monitoring: Regular health check-ups throughout pregnancy.
Diet and Nutrition Adjustment: Increased and adjusted feeding as the pregnancy progresses.
Kindling Preparation: Setting up a comfortable birthing area before the due date.

How Do You Calculate a Rabbit's Due Date?

Calculating a rabbit's due date primarily revolves around the date of mating. Here's a simple step-by-step process to calculate a rabbit's due date:

Determine the Date of Mating: Record the date(s) when the doe was bred. If there were multiple matings, note all the dates.
Understand the Average Gestation Period: The average gestation period for a rabbit is about 31 days, but it can range between 29 and 33 days.
Use the First Mating Date as a Starting Point: If you know only one mating date, use this date. If there are multiple mating dates, you can either use the first date or an average of the dates for a rough estimate. Using the first mating date is commonly advised for simplicity.
Add 31 Days to the Mating Date: Count 31 days forward from the mating date to estimate the due date.
Consider the Range: Keep in mind the normal variation in gestation length (29 to 33 days). This means the doe could deliver a few days before or after the calculated due date.
Monitor for Signs of Approaching Kindling: As the estimated due date approaches, look for signs of labor like nesting behavior, restlessness, or loss of appetite.

Pregnancy Durations For Rabbits

The gestation period for rabbits is generally consistent, but it can vary slightly between different breeds. Below is a table summarizing the gestation periods for different rabbit breeds:

Breed Group	Average Gestation Period (days)	Min Gestation Period (days)	Max Gestation Period (days)
Desert Cottontail & New England Cottontail	29	28	30
New Zealand White & European Rabbit	31	30	32
French Lop, Flemish Giant & Belgian Hare Rabbit	32	31	33
Harlequin Rabbit	30	29	31
California White, Blanc De Hotot & American Rabbit	31	30	32
Mexican Cottontail & Dice	28	27	29
Dwarf Rabbit	30	29	31
Eastern Cottontail	29	28	30
Brush, Swamp Rabbit & Tapeti	30	29	31
Chinchilla	31	30	32

Rabbit Pregnancy Reference Table

Below is a reference table showing the due date for all days of the year.

Rabbit gestation and kindling table for the entire year

References

Forest Preserve District Will County - Breeding like rabbits? What does that mean anyway?
MSD Veterinary Manual - Breeding and Reproduction of Rabbits