Help with babies! ASAP

[Vince]

In one or two days time I think my doe will give birth, I’m not too sure what to do.
I do have a few questions though:
At what time can I touch the babies without her abandoning them? Note: she really trusts me and never bitten or scratched me.
They are both pure breed mini lops, will this make it that most of them will be peanuts?
Because this is her first time breeding, do you think most of them will die because she is a first time mother?
Please answer ASAP because she will have babies very soon.

 

[Velveteen Lop]

Hello!
To answer your questions, I handle my babies the day of birth, even right after the mom is done, and never had a problem with the mom abandoning them. This is true for wild rabbit kits though, so do not touch wild baby rabbits. I honestly dont know too much about Mini Lops, but I do believe that you have a possibility of a peanut. For me, I don't think I ever had more than 2 peanuts in a single litter. And yes, chances of survival for the kits since they are her first litter is slim. I have had success with Mini Rex's raising a great first time litter, as well as my Netherland Dwarfs. It depends a lot on the mothering instinct in the rabbit though.
Was this an intentional litter?

 

[Mariam+Theo]

I don't know how to answer this question since I have never had baby bunnies, but could you send us pics after they are born?

 

[majorv]

We had Polish and I never had more than 1 peanut in a litter. Whether the first litter survives depends on the doe. You don’t say how old she is but waiting until the doe is 6 months old before the first breeding improves the chances.

 

[Velveteen Lop]

Oh, my bad. My Velveteen Lops and Mini Rex have had more success with first time litters, none of my NDs have had successful first time litters.

 

[Vince]

Hello!
To answer your questions, I handle my babies the day of birth, even right after the mom is done, and never had a problem with the mom abandoning them. This is true for wild rabbit kits though, so do not touch wild baby rabbits. I honestly dont know too much about Mini Lops, but I do believe that you have a possibility of a peanut. For me, I don't think I ever had more than 2 peanuts in a single litter. And yes, chances of survival for the kits since they are her first litter is slim. I have had success with Mini Rex's raising a great first time litter, as well as my Netherland Dwarfs. It depends a lot on the mothering instinct in the rabbit though.
Was this an intentional litter?

No, this was not an intentional litter and she is just five months old.

 

[Vince]

So do you think I should wait a few days to touch them or not. I hope they don’t die.

 

[Vince]

People, I think she is giving birth now. She has layed outside her nesting box and I can tell she might be having pain. Do you think I should go upstairs and leave her or sit on the sofa not making noise and just keep looking?
Please help

 

[Preitler]

You can stay with her, you can pass the time with watching youtube videos about rabbits giving birth, rabbit CPR, etc. .

Normally, there isn't anything for you to do, but being there doesn't hurt.

If the place where she has her nest is not ok you can put the kits in the nestbox when she's done cleaning (after making a nice, well insulated nest if there isn't one, if there's not enough fur you can pull some from the does chest or use similiar stuff like cotton ore dryer lint), or if one is born way outside the nest put it with the others.

Good luck.

There are no peanuts if not both parents carry the dwarf gene. Runts on the hand (just smaller kits than average) can always happen, but that is not a deadly condition.

 

[Velveteen Lop]

You can handle the babies, especially if the mom is friendly with you. Any success with the babies?

 

[Bunny_Mommy]

I always handle the baby bunnies day 0, and never have issues. Yesterday, she did not clean them off properly, so I had to. If you have other bunnies, I read that it is best to handle the mom (to get her scent on you) before touching the babies Though, they are very fragile, so please be careful.

How are they doing?

 

[Vince]

I just got home and I see some moving in the box should take the box out and check them?

 

[Vince]

I hear a baby shouting in there what do I do???

 

[Augustus&HazelGrace]

Yes, you can check them as often as you like. If you hear one screaming you need to get it out and look it over, something is seriously wrong.

 

[Vince]

I’m not sure she’s gonna let me take the box out, she grunted when I touched her back and it didn’t sound too loud it was more like a chirping noise.

 

[Augustus&HazelGrace]

If the baby is screaming then you need to not worry about mom and just reach in for the babies. If you are scared she may bite or lunge at you then you can give her, her favorite treat or any treat to keep her busy long enough to take the nest box out.

 

[Velveteen Lop]

She's probably still moody, happens a lot with my buns after giving birth, but I reach in and handle the babies anyways, and the moms don't mind, just as long as I leave the mom alone. Give her a treat or some hay to keep her busy if it really worries you, but just check to see they're all alive and okay. It's very important.

You can also take the whole nest box out if it makes it easier. They can be very squirmy though, so be careful, and sit close to the ground in case the wiggle out of your hands.

Let us know how mom and babies are doing.

 

[Vince]

I just checked this morning the babies and I was very surprised to see that there is 6 BABY BUNNIES. I’m sure most of them won’t make it but there actually might be more because they were all on top of each other and there might be a bit more, I’m very surprised because I thought mini lops only had 3-5 bunnies. They all looked full and the mom is doing great. She is very friendly again and happy.

 

[Vince]

Here they are, the black ones seem to be slightly smaller and wrinklier but I’m not too sure.

 

[Velveteen Lop]

Looks like the one you're pointing to in the second photo might be a peanut, but I can't be too sure, it might just be a runt. And I think they all look fine. I've had a few more wrinkly kits than others, so don't worry about that. They sure are cuties! Glad mom is feeling better! She does seem like she's taking care of them, so thats good news.
Normally litters are on the 4-5 side, but it can be on the larger side. I've had 9 in a litter before. Just make sure they're all getting big round bellies, and give ones that seem they need more milk some extra time with mom. You can do this by holding her on her back, while letting the little one nurse.
Keep us updated on how they're doing!