How the rabbit gestation calculator works
A doe's kindling date is her breeding date plus the length of her pregnancy. The University of Alaska Fairbanks Extension puts the average at 31 days, and Utah State says most does kindle between day 28 and day 33. The calculator uses 31 days and shows that range.
1. Enter the breeding date
Use the day she was bred. Utah State advises counting from the first mating if she was bred more than once. Does have no regular heat cycle: they ovulate when bred, so the breeding date is a reliable start.
2. Plan the milestones
- Day 10 to 14: palpate her for kits. Merck says day 12 is the best time, and Alaska says as early as day 10.
- Day 28: put in the nest box. Merck advises 28 to 29 days after breeding, since many does soil a box put in earlier.
- Day 31: expected kindling. Leave her quiet, keep fresh water in, and check the box after a day for any dead kits (Alaska).
- Day 32: if she has not kindled, call your vet. Merck notes a litter held past about day 34 is usually born dead.
- 6 to 8 weeks after kindling: wean the kits (Alaska). Utah State suggests weaning over a week, a few kits at a time.
3. Plan the next litter
Pick when to rebreed her. Commercial herds often rebreed 14 to 21 days after kindling. Utah State advises a 35-day interval for best results, and Merck says show and home breeders usually wait 35 to 42 days. The calculator adds that gap and another gestation to give the next kindling date, and how many litters a year that pace gives.
Worked example
A doe is bred on Thu, Oct 15, 2026. 31 days later is Sun, Nov 15, 2026. Her typical range runs Nov 12 to Nov 17, 2026.
| Palpate for kits, best around day 12 | Oct 25 to Oct 29, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Put in the nest box | Nov 12, 2026 |
| Start of typical kindling range | Nov 12, 2026 |
| Expected kindling date | Nov 15, 2026 |
| Not kindled yet? Call your vet | Nov 16, 2026 |
| End of typical kindling range | Nov 17, 2026 |
| Wean the kits | Dec 27, 2026 to Jan 10, 2027 |
Rebred 35 days after kindling, on Dec 20, 2026, her next litter is due Jan 20, 2027. That pace gives about 5.5 litters a year. On a 14-day commercial schedule she would be rebred Nov 29, 2026 and kindle again Dec 30, 2026, about 8.1 litters a year.
Where the sources differ
Merck gives 31 to 33 days, Alaska an average of 31, and Utah State 28 to 33. If your does usually kindle on day 32, type 32 and the nest box day moves with it.
Rebreeding advice depends on the goal. Merck says some commercial growers rebreed as early as 7 days after kindling, Utah State says 14 to 21 is common but 35 is better for results, and Utah State also notes that up to 60 kits a year from one doe is possible but not for beginners. Weaning ages vary from about 4 weeks (Merck) to 6 to 8 weeks (Alaska).