A small weaning problem....mama doesn't want babies to leave!

[TinysMom]

From the looks of things - Nyx hasn't been nursing for about 2 weeks - BUT - her babies are 8 weeks old and I wanted to start weaning them. Since two rabbits are going together to a home this coming weekend, I separated her from her rabbits just to see how they'd do.

The kids did fine - mama didn't do so well. She had a tantrum (unlike her) and when she finally got let out of her cage again - she went and laid down beside the babies.

I'm thinking about letting them stay with her until they go to new homes (or get too large) since she obviously isn't ready to let them leave yet. I'm almost tempted to let her keep a pick of the litter doe to live with her until the hormones hit and they want to separate.

Thoughts?

The couple that is coming on Saturday to pick out two females haven't picked specific ones yet as they want to meet them all - so it isn't as if I can just take those two away from mama for a few days.

Oh - they're all eating and drinking fine.

 

[polly]

If she is in good condtion I would remate her Peg thats the easiest way lol but if you dont want to do that then I would leave her with the ones that arent going to a new home at the weekend

 

[TinysMom]

Starting in 10 days - I have three does set to deliver (a day apart) and each of them feel like they could have 8-10 flemish.

I'd prefer to not rebreed her this soon. I may leave her with some of the babies.

 

[Inle_Rabbitry]

When we are weaning our kits, we usually leave at least one of the babies (usually one that hasn't been called for by abuyer or has DQs) with the mother for a couple of weeks after we have weaned the rest so she can havesome stress freerecooperation time, at least untill her hormones calm down.

We've learned this after experiencing the same thing with a couple of does, they just get extremely hormonal, depressed, and/or aggressive. And allowing them at least one kit for an extra week or two after the rest have been removed, really helps.

 

[Luluznewz]

I just wanted to say that I think this is really cute. This is just a fluff comment but she sounds like a great mama.

Its always sad to hear about momma rabbits that have a harder time caring for the babies, so its nice to hear about one who just cant give them up yet.