First of all, we're here for questions. Ask away and don't worry about having too many questions.
If mama fed them last night, they will have ping pong bellies right after being fed. However, let's say she fed them at 1 am and you don't check them till 8 am....then they've had 7 hours to process some of the milk. If they're getting cold or their bellies are starting to look shrunken...then you know they're not eating.
Let's talk about some of the danger times for a litter. Maybe that will help you.
Until their fur comes in, it is dangerous for them if they get out of the nestbox because they have no way to keep warm. They need each other to keep them warm and of course they need the warmth the nestbox gives by containing them together w/ mama's fur, etc. If a baby is still attached to mama's nipple when she leaves the nestbox...and comes out of the box...then you have a danger time. Sometimes a mama will lay beside the baby and keep it warm till I get there. Unfortunately, I've had a couple of does accidentally squish the baby trying to keep itwarm. But a really good mama will try to keep the baby warm if it realizes that one is loose.
If mama gets mastitis and her nipple areas are inflamed, then there isa danger of infection in the milk. This is one reason why breeders will often breed two or more does at the same time - so they can foster if necessary. I once had feed problems and I had several does who didn't have milk come in - so Matilda kept TWENTY FOUR babies alive for 3 days while I waited desperately for another mama to give birth and have milk come in. Every 8 hours I gave her another set of 8 babies...so every baby got fed once per day. Fortunately, she had a wonderful milk supply and was willing to nurse that often and clean the babies, etc. If your doe gets mastitis, you will probably have to hand feed the babies.
Once their eyes are open and they can see and they are getting out of the nestbox, it can also be a bit of a dangerous time. Make sure they can't get out of the cage or hutch...they're often still small enough that they'll try to sneak out and explore 'cause they're curious.
Weaning can be a time of concern as the babies are leaving mama. Istart my babies on hay and oatmeal before they have rabbit food - forat least 2-3 days. Some of them might sneak a pellet or two but I tryto get them going on the oatmeal first.
My point? Until baby is successfully weaned from mama - there isn't totally a "safe" time. You just have to enjoy them anyway and know that you run the risk of having your heart broken. A few weeks ago I lost a 5 week old baby - I knew he wasn't thriving as well as his litter mates but I was hoping he'd make it. I thought he was going to make it and the day before he died, he snoozed in my hand for an hour while I took a nap. The next morning I went out and found him dead.That was tough but sometimes it happens.
If mama is comfortable with you - she will probably let you hold the babies now. I'd have a bottle of vanilla with me and when you're done holding the babies - put a drop on mama's nose after you put the babies back in the cage. All she'll be able to smell then is vanilla and the babies will have the nestbox scent again soon.
Peg
grumpybabies wrote:
Can i ask you some more questions pls? i'm sorry just a worried mum! i think the mum fed them last night but i have seen a photo on the net somewhere where the tummy looked bigger than my babies did, is it anything to worry about?do u have any photos i could compare to? or does anybody on here? also what is the danger period for new borns? i mean when are they most likely to die? i want to be able to start relaxing and enjoying them but i can't! if i touched them yesterday and she fed them all ok last night she won't reject them now at this point will she if i still touch them? thanks again
