Baby bunnies 3weeks old?

[kamichu]

I got 2 baby lionhead bunnies from a breeder and their only 3 weeks old.
I know its way to young for them to be sold yet. But he told me
and a few other people that hes sales them all the time at 3weeks
with no problems and if there is problems i could take them back
Their eating hay and small amounts of vegetables.
But I'm still worried about them. Is there any kinda food i should give them?
Should i take them back?

 

[Starlight Rabbitry]

Don't give them the vegetables unless the breeder has given them veggies before. Unlimited amounts of hay and pellets are what you should feed. Quaker Oatmeal is good too in little amounts.

Sharon

 

[BellTowerAngoras]

That is retarded. I'm clearly not blaming you, the breeder is obviously a morone. Enough said. I woulod get replacement milk and oatmeal for the little buggers

 

[kamichu]

The Breeder was giving them vegetables so it should be okay. Yeah I was thinking
about getting them some kitten milk and feed them that till their 6weeks. But
they do have unlimited amount of hay and pellets and water in a small dish and bottle. The oat meal should be uncooked right? just that dry stuff?

Also i don't think it would be a good idea to give them back to the breeder because
hes going to sell them all this weekend and i don't think they would end up in any better hands.:expressionless

So far the baby rabbits are doing well though. Their hopping around and eating. Is that a good sign?

 

[Maureen Las]

the breeder is a morone
they should not be eating vegetables

they need their mother's milk to gain the appropriate micoroorganisms in their GI tract and to develop properly
they are way way way too young to be away from their mother.

Kitten replacement formula is not correct
Hereare articles on orphan rabbits.
I wish I could be more helpful but I have never done this before


http://www.rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=12047&forum_id=17
maybe you could contact a wildlife rehabber who could help you with feeding these infants (yes I know they are not wild-life ) but the feeding and care is not easy.
I am NOT frustrated with you butwith the breeder who would sell them so young .:X

 

[kamichu]

The breeder has had many litters before and more already on the way.
Hes been feeding them vegetables and fruits for awhile and they seem fine.
Ive read in lots of things that kitten milk or goat milk is good for baby rabbits.
But they are not drinking any from the bottle. They like the vegetables and oatmeal better. :expressionless

 

[polly]

first off can you put your location in your profile for us
3 weeks is far to young considering that they usually feed till 5 or 6 weeks from their mum. I think this is a really good time to say that if you want to buy a baby rabbit you should go through ARBA in the US or BRC in the uk. If the breeder claims they are in one of these organisations then they should be reported as its what spoils it for the rest of us. I wonder if Randy or Naturestee would be good for this post for their advice.

Its a shame good luck with them I hope they grow well for you

 

[OakRidgeRabbits]

OMG, 3 WEEKS OLD?!?!

I would take the kit back to the breeder immediately, chew him out for being way beyond irresponsible (to put it kindly), and then very quickly report him to Animal Services in your town, if you have anything like it.

In the case that a mother rabbit gets sick or something, EMERGENCY weanings do not take place until AT LEAST 4 weeks of age. 3 weekers are barely even eating solid food yet! It is very, very rare that you can successfully handfeed kits. So that is not even an option an option at this point, especially since it is used to rabbit's milk. The kit should be nursing from his mom, and no one should be supporting this guy!

As others suggested, there is no way this kit should be on veggies yet, let alone solid food.

I don't even know what to say beyond taking him back. He may just be sold again, but at least you are no longer responsible for supporting such a horrible situation. I can't even imagine selling kits this young. The mortality rate has to be through the roof. But of course this guy would never know...they're out of his hands and he has the money. Ugh! Breeders like that disgust me!

Beyond this, I dont understand why you would support him since you said yourself, "I know its way to young for them to be sold yet."?!

 

[OakRidgeRabbits]

In the meantime, pull the veggies. Offer unlimited hay and some oats, with a very small amount of alfalfa-based pellets. There's really nothing else you can do at this point.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

Not too sure--the breeder is obviously an insensitive moron, but those babies may be a little older than was stated. Since we rescue rabbits, I can see no good coming from taking them back either. One thing you need to do, since they are eating hay is to switch them to alfalfa--it is much higher in calcium and if they are eating vegetables, give them stuff that is higher in calcium. If your not sure, contact a rabbit savvy vet and they can give you guidance and lists on which vegetables are best for bunnies. Good luck with the little ones.