Babies eating Hay?

[HopsandLops]

This morning when I was feeding and petting everyone, I noticed the remaining 7 of Perry's babies were in her hay box (AKA Litter box) chewing/eating on hay. So I moved them back to their whole in the bedding (Perry refused to use a nest box) and went back to feeding everyone. About five mins. later I turn back around to find most of them back in the box and a few hopping their way that way. We have raised litters before and I have never seen this in kits this young (Less then two weeks old). Is this normal? Are they not getting enough from mom? Is it ok for them to have hay this early? We have a pet store near us that say NO hay before 6 mosand I was wanting to know if that is true?

Help!

 

[slavetoabunny]

The pet store is absolutely wrong. I've only been around one litter of young buns (we got them at 2-3 weeks old). They were already eating hay and pellets.

 

[ra7751]

How very wrong the pet store is. Most, note most, pet store employees know very little about the animals they are selling. This is a prime example. I bed my baby cottontails in alfalfa hay....I want them to know what hay is. I have had babies eating hay before their eyes opened. Eating hay is an activity that should be encouraged regardless of age. Let them have at it. And if you really want some healthy babies, feed them high quality alfalfa hay. The nutrients in the alfalfa will give you some very strong babies.

And I would encourage you to do some educating yourself.....go to the pet store and have a discussion with the manager. I have had some discussions with our local PetsMart regarding them "advising" people of what to feed wildlife.....first, they have no idea (advanced rehabbers do not feed KMR or Goat's Milk) and they are also advising people to violate the law. I try to educate pet stores, vet clinics or whatever at every chance I get. Most are very open to learning. And you would be helping others by doing that.

Randy

 

[naturestee]

That's a very uneducated pet store!

Baby rabbits start can nibbling on hay as soon as they want to, usually as soon as their eyes open. Wild rabbits line their nests with grass for both warmth and baby food, and many breeders stuff hay into the nest boxes that they give to their pregnant buns.

I don't have a ton of experience, but I've raised two litters and an orphaned baby, all domestics. I provide both grass and alfalfa hay for the babies and the mama.

FYI, the babies will soon be eating mama's pellets and drinking her water too. It's not even that they're hungry, they're just curious babies.

 

[HopsandLops]

Well we don't get a lot of babies and I just wanted to make sure, this is only the thrid litter I have ever had, and the first that I have had at this age.

 

[Maureen Las]

When I got ( RIP) Babette in 2001 I still didn't know much about rabbits. . I got her when she was about 8 weeks old from a pet store. .
The owner of the store told me not to give her hay until she was 6 months old as it would rip her insides up (LOL )

I didn't give her hay and whenI did get her spayed at 6 months was informed by the vet that this info was ridiculous....:biggrin2:

 

[HopsandLops]

Well I am going to make sure to right a letter to the store, that is pretty much what their sign says next to the rabbits for sale. I just didn't know at this age they would be testing out their tummies. I will say they super cute trying to eat a big piece of hay!

Is there any hay I should stay away from because of the babies?

 

[ra7751]

Your rabbits can have any hay that is safe for a horse.....hay comes in many types. Alfalfa hay will make a very healthy rabbit as it is very nutritious. A baby can have alfalfa hay, as well as pellets and other types of hay, free choice. As your rabbit approaches 6 months old.....they primary diet should be grass hays such as timothy, orchard grass, brome, oat, etc. There are different cuts of each hay. Hay does several things. By offering a "buffet" of hays...different types.....it allows fora more natural foraging type behavior. Hay is the "high fiber" part of the diet that makes for a happy GI. And hay is chewy and that is what wears the teeth down. At about 6 months, I do restrict pellets and alfalfa hay to prevent obesity. Many will argue that rabbits after 6 months old should not have alfalfa as it causes bladder sludge. This is old and inaccurate. Rabbits have bones and teeth and need the calcium (in limited amounts). But unlimited hays of all types....as long as it's clean and mold free horse quality hay.....is essential to a healthy rabbit.

Randy

 

[HopsandLops]

Thanks!!