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The gestation period, or the time from mating of the doe to kindling of the litter, averages 31 days. About 98 percent of normal litters will be kindled between 30 and 33 days after breeding but a small percentage may kindle as early as 29 days or as late as 35 days. Gestation lengths are generally longer with smaller litters (Fig. 5.6). In cases of prolonged gestation, the litter may contain only a few individuals with one or more abnormally large kits. Often the young may be born dead.

Fig. 5.6. Relationship between number of kits born and gestation length. Figures within the bars show the number of litters of that size included. (Source: McNitt, J.I. and Moody, G.L., 1991. Gestation lengths of four medium breeds of rabbits in Louisiana. J. Appl. Rabbit Res . 14: 80–82)