How long are rabbits pregnant?
About 31 days [3][4][1]. Kits can come from day 28 to day 35[3][4]. MSD gives about 31–33 days [2] and Penn State an average of 31–32[5]. Does carrying small litters (about four kits or fewer) seem to go longer than does with big litters[2].
| Source | What it says |
|---|---|
| Oregon State Extension [3] | 28–35 days, average 31 |
| American Rabbit Breeders Assn. [4] | 28–32 days, 31 average; past 35 days is abnormal |
| MSD Vet Manual [2] | About 31–33 days |
| Penn State Extension [5] | Average 31–32 days |
Worked example
A doe mated on November 2, 2026 is due about December 3, 2026, and could kindle from November 30, 2026to December 7, 2026. Palpate her around November 12, 2026 to November 14, 2026, and put the nest box in betweenNovember 27, 2026 and December 1, 2026.
Palpating and the nest box
| When | What |
|---|---|
| Day 10–12 | Palpate for kits. Around days 10–12; a litter is hard to feel before day 10. [4][2][3] |
| Day 25–29 | Put the nest box in. Day 25–29: ARBA says 25–27, Penn State 28, MSD 28–29. Too early and it gets soiled. [4][5][2] |
- Palpation means gently feeling the belly for the developing kits. Try around days 10–12[4]; MSD says day 12 is best [2]. Before day 10 the kits are only about the size of a blueberry and hard to feel [3]. Putting the doe back with the buck to see whether she refuses him is a common test, but it isn’t reliable [2].
- Nest box: the sources disagree by a few days. ARBA says days 25–27 [4], Penn State day 28 [5] and MSD days 28–29 [2]. A box put in too early gets soiled with urine and droppings [2]. The doe usually pulls fur from her belly to line it shortly before kindling[3].
Common questions
How long is a rabbit pregnant in weeks?
About four and a half weeks: 31 days is 4 weeks and 3 days.
When should I put the nest box in?
Between day 25 and day 29 after mating, depending on which source you follow; day 28 sits in the middle of their advice [4][5][2]. The calendar shows the window for your dates.
What if my doe hasn’t kindled by day 32?
MSD says a vet may induce a doe that hasn’t kindled by day 32 [2], and ARBA calls a pregnancy beyond 35 days abnormal [4]. If she is past day 32, call your vet.
Can a rabbit get pregnant again right after giving birth?
Yes. A doe can conceive within about a day of kindling [2], so keep her apart from the buck unless you plan another litter.
These dates are planning estimates from published averages, not veterinary advice.
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual, table “Approximate Gestation Periods”Gestation by species; dog 62–64 days from ovulation, 58–72 days from breeding
- J. Mayer, “Management of Rabbits,” MSD Veterinary ManualRabbit gestation about 31–33 days; palpate at 12 days; nest box at 28–29 days
- Oregon State University Extension, “Raising Rabbits for Meat: Providing Basic Care,” EC 1655Gestation 28–35 days, average 31; litter hard to feel in the first 10 days
- American Rabbit Breeders Association, FAQsGestation 28–32 days, 31 average; palpate days 10–12; nest box days 25–27; past 35 days abnormal
- R. Shaeffer, L. F. Kime, J. K. Harper, “Rabbit Production,” Penn State ExtensionAverage gestation 31–32 days; nest box at 28 days