help with newborn

[animal lover]

I have'nt seen her go in and feed her babbies allday! the male has been separated in his own cage for several weeksnowbut i have the two cages side by side.Is that ok?

 

[rabbitgirl]

Totally normal. She will only feed once or twicea day, usually early morning. It's rare to catch her at it--but reallycool if you can! They jump around, slurp, and squeak. They will nursefor only a few minutes, and it's quite a frenzy.

If their bellies look full and they jump and squeak when you open the box, everything's probably fine.

Rose

 

[animal lover]

the box just has two holes on the side i can'topen it.she blocked up one hole with every thing in her cage.(giggle)the babys are burried in fur,ican,t see them. i only saw them lastnight when she was licking them.3 i think

 

[rabbitgirl]

Watch for wiggling fur. The nest has a slow constant heaving motion as the babies fight for the most comfy spot.

Rose

 

[animal lover]

can i still pet her,or let her out of her cage to run around with the male?

 

[lanna21974]

Is the male neutered? If not and you let them outtogether they can and probably will breed. (yes even this soon afterdelivery) lol I dont think it would be real healthy for her or thebabies since you would have to wean them at four weeks if she gotpregnant.

Take your cues from her on the petting. If when you try to pet her sheseems grumpy or agitated, give her some time to adjust. If not, I dontsee what it would hurt to pet her.

As far as the babies go.....you should take the nest box out and checkeach of the babies.pet the Mom real well before you handlethe babies to get her scent on your hands just in case. Afteryoucheck and count the babies but them back in the nestboxtogether, and put the nest box back in with the mommy. I would checkthem everyday to make sure theyre being fed. Look forsmoothround bellies.

If by chance one should escape from the nest box. Put it back in asquickly as possible. The Mom wont do it. Young bunnies needto snuggle with each other to keep warm.If they gettoo cold they'll die.

Congratulations on your new babies!!

Lanna

 

[animal lover]

Realy!I can touch the nest,and babbies? The nestbox doesn't have a bottom on it. i should lift it up and expose thenest?don't whan't to spook the mother she might kill them.?

 

[Bo B Bunny]

What is under the nest and babies? They could slip through the flooring if it's not tight enough spacing!

 

[animal lover]

No it's a solid plastic cage floor with a wooden house in it.

 

[lanna21974]

Then dont remove the whole box but instead, take the babies all out of the nest box and check them and put them back in.

Generally a bunny wont mind you touching the babies. She's used to youand your scent. As a precaution make sure you pet her first to get herscent on your hands.

Lanna

 

[Dwarf_Angel04]

Most people use what is called a kindling box.The box is wide open on the top so that you can easily see it. Its bestto have full access to your kits to make sure they are being fed and toremove any dead. Below is a diagram of a kindling box. I use a pegboard type material for the bottom. This way the urine can escapeleaving a cleaner nestbox.

~*~Amanda~*~
Below is a picture of one of my Dwarf Hotots in her nestbox in the process of building her nest.

 

[animal lover]

theres only a little hole on the side.i don'twhat to just go reaching in there. I cant even see them they areburied.Mybe lift the box up a little to take a peek?

 

[animal lover]

I should have put it in upsidedown

 

[lanna21974]

I'd be real reluctant to disturb the nest bylifting the box. It may stress the mommy and you really dont want to dothat right now.

 

[lanna21974]

You can Just reach in there and feel around untilyou find them. I usually have to do the same thing because they coverthem in fur. It doesnt seem to bother the doe.

 

[Dwarf_Angel04]

If the rabbit is a dwarf breed you should checkthe nest at least once a day. Dwarf breeds have peanuts which normallydon't live past 2 days. You want to check and make sure the babies arebeing fed and that you don't have any dead ones. It's not healthy forthe other ones to have a dead one in the nest. Some does areprotective over their nest. I used to have to take the nestboxes out tocheck on my litters. However, since my does have gained confidence inme I pull the nestbox close to the front of the cage so I can see. Mostof my does are right there looking in the nestbox with me. If the doeknows you well enough she shoudln't kill her kits. You can give her aspecial treat while your looking at her babies as well.


~*~Amanda~*~

 

[Carolyn]

I just wanted to Welcome you, animal lover.

You're in good hands with these breeders.




-Carolyn