HELP NEEDED ASAP

[SilverBirchRabbitry]

I know this is not the right forum, but I figured it will get more attention here.

Oprah Bunfree (my EL doe who kindled three days ago) isn't taking care of her kits.
I brought them into check if they are being fed, they were a bit chilled & really wrinkly.

They had no milk. Not good.

So I threw my snuggie in the dryer, took it out and warmed the kits.

Brought Oprah in, my dad held her and the babies nursed.

I watched them. They look plumper and are warm.

They are staying in the house.

But will they be okay like this?

I fed them at 6:30, I'm feeding them again at 9. Then when I get up tommorow morning at 5 and then ill try again at 6:30.

Then I have to go to school, then I get home at 3 and Ill feed them right away.
Then again at 6:00 and then at 9:00.

Is that okay?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.
Oh and when I try to put her over top of them, she freaks out..
But the kits are definitly nursing when we flip her.

 

[introoder]

Mama would normally only nurse the kits once or twice a day. Just make sure when they feed, they get fed really well. As far as the positioning, I'll let someone else help with that. I've yet to have that situation. (Watch, it'll happen tomorrow when Bea kindles. I know it. LOL)

 

[missyscove]

I've never bred or cared for kits myself, but from what I've read it sounds like you've done the right thing.
But I agree that 5 times a day wouldn't really be necessary; the doe usually doesn't nurse them that often.
I don't remember how many you said you had, but if they're staying together and she pulled enough fur for her nest, they should be plenty warm.

 

[SilverBirchRabbitry]

There are three, they were in the nest and covered in her fur, yet they were still chilled.

I read a fostering site and it said they need fed more than usual. I'm not sure why.

:/

 

[bunnybunbunb]

Feeding twice a day is proper when using the mom. However, holding her on her back will not let them feed enough, in my expierance. I have raised two litter this way, not counting the countless times I did this for a week or two before letting the mom/foster mom take full control. Keep the babies in a small box just big enough for the mom to fit in. Twice a day move the stuff on the babies and place mom in. I find it easier than fighting with mom to simply put a top over the box so you can see in but she can not get out and simply let her feed. She may move a lot at first but she should stop. If not give her some veggies. Cut it real small and scatter in one area. The babies will eat fast, with three of them they can be full in two minutes. I have found after about two to three days the does are use to it and are very willing.

 

[TinysMom]

Like Samantha - I would only feed a couple of times per day and I like to put the doe over the kits with a handful of treats (cut small like she said) in one corner so she'll stay still and eat and let the babies nurse.

 

[SilverBirchRabbitry]

Alright, well I tried that and she refuses to hold still.
The babies were warm and not at all wrinkley today.
So should I just keep flipping her?

 

[aurora369]

If they look like she might have fed them over night, I would just let her take charge. Check again around dinner time, and if they look skinny, then I would help her feed them.

I have had to help some of my fosters to feed their babies. I would place mom over top of the babies so she was standing over them, and do my best to keep her calm. Hold her shoulders gently with one hand while giving nose rubs and pets with the other. Or have one person gently hold her in place and the other one focus on petting her to keep her calm.

If you can keep her still for about 5 minutes, that should be more than enough time for the babies to feed. You would only need to do this twice a day. She should get the idea after a couple of days and start feeding on her own with out your help.

Keeping her on all fours in the natural nursing position should help the babies to get more milk. Flipping her is more stressful, and a stressed mom will not drop her milk. Also the suckling of the babies will stimulate her to produce more milk, and the more milk she produces the stronger her urges to release the milk and allow the babies to nurse.

-Dawn

 

[TinysMom]

SilverBirchRabbitry wrote:

Alright, well I tried that and she refuses to hold still.
The babies were warm and not at all wrinkley today.
So should I just keep flipping her?

We hold her still so she doesn't have much of an option. I will usually put her in and Robin will put one hand on her rear - I'll put a hand by her face/head so she doesn't attack the kits and we both have a hand on her body to hold her down.

Sounds mean maybe...but once they've done it a few times they get more used to it.

 

[bunnybunbunb]

Did you try the box and lid/wire top deal? She will move around but the stress of you touching her will not bother her and she will settle down relatively quick.

You are going to have to get this way to work because as the babies get bigger the feeds will take longer and she will get sick of laying on her back. Plus, the babies are made to feed on their backs, as they age they may refuse to feed with her flipped.

If you do not want to do the box and lid can you get someone to help hold her? I have held does before. One hand at the pelvis placed so her legs can not come forward, held firm. The other hand holds the doe by the scruff. Some does need to be held up a little bit as some tend to flatten down, while others need to be held down and still. They can easily kick and hurt the babies so having help is best if you are not use to doing it.

 

[SilverBirchRabbitry]

Yes I tried that Samantha, she kept thumping and going in circles :/ She stepped on the babies, so I teek her out.

I put the babies underneath her on the table and they nursed. She wouldn't touch the treats and still put up a bit of a fuss. But the kits got milk. I will do it again before bed.

They still don't have ping pong ball bellies though, they are sort of getting there.

Here are a few pics I took, sorry for the quality :/

 

[paul2641]

Ahh there so cute, Hopefully fingers crossed you can get your doe to take to her kits!

 

[TinysMom]

With my flemish litter I wound up supplementing with formula to help them get enough. You might need to consider that.

Good luck with the babies - I am dying to watch them as they grow.