Kits scratching. Normal or not

[Melmo]

I found this group searching to find out why my kits are scratching.
This is the first time I have ever owned rabbits. I only have these guys because I allowed my daughter to get them then could not stand the thought of them living in a cramped cage. I built them a very large enclosure and put them together. Little did my ignorant self know that she had a male and female. So now I have eight beautiful babies but know NOTHING. When I said ignorant I truly meant it.
Anyway my kits are now venturing out of their nesting carrier and I see them scratching like crazy. Willow, Doe, does not. So is this normal? Do I need to worry?
I have done everything I can being so ignorant about bunnies to make sure they are healthy and I am proud to report every kit she gave birth to has as yet survived to 14 days and they all look healthy to me, other than the scratching. So please if I am doing something wrong please tell me.

 

[zuppa]

Hi, it's normal just make sure they are in safe place and can go back to their nest any time as their mother will feed them there and they will need her milk until they are 6-8 weeks old. Also if their father is around he should be separated asap and if he is still there that would mean that it is very possible that Willow is pregnant again.

Basically until they are 8 weeks their mother is taking care of them and you don't have to do anything just make sure she's getting enough food, hay and water. She should get unlimited pellets when nursing about 240-280 gram daily, if you feel kits are not fat enough you can give her some rolled oats so she can produce enough milk. It is best to keep kits isolated they won't stay in their nest but make sure they are always there for dinner. She nurse only once or twice a day, mostly at night when no one can see, only for 3-5 minutes and that's normal.

I don't know what else if anything please ask we are happy to help

 

[Melmo]

I put Thumper in a separate enclosure a few days before Willow kendled her kits. Been trying to read everything I can to learn and one of the first things I read mentioned that he could get her pregnant again as soon as she gave birth. So they now have separate enclosures.
Not only does she always have orchard grass and pellets but fresh greens and fruit everyday. I have been giving her black oil sunflower seeds to help with her milk. Is that enough or should I also add the oats? Some of the kits are more plump than other’s. I want to make sure I’m giving her everything she needs for her and the kits to be healthy.
Thank you so much for your advice. I’m learning more each day thankfully.

 

[Imbrium]

You can also let mom and kits have some alfalfa hay in addition to the orchard. How much fruit are you giving, by the way? Shouldn't be more than 1 tsp per 2 lbs body weight per day maximum (and most people don't give it every single day).

Kits are at the age where they're going to start eating mom's food in addition to milk. You may read in various places that rabbits shouldn't get veggies before 12 weeks of age - this rule of thumb is for people who acquire rabbits at 8+ weeks of age and don't know what was being fed when they were still with mom. If mom has been eating leafy greens while pregnant/nursing, then it's totally fine for kits to be nibbling on her veggies at 2-8 weeks old.

As long as no kits look underfed/too thin, I wouldn't worry too much about some being more plump than others right now. However, 8 babies is a lot - with big litters, breeders typically separate the largest/fattest kits from mom at 5-6 weeks of age to give the smaller kits a chance to catch up before they're weaned. If you do separate some at 5-6 weeks, they should be kept together and still shouldn't go to new homes until 8 weeks of age.

 

[Melmo]

Very little fruit yet still fresh fruit. Their greens I alternate but make sure they have what is recommended for a healthy diet. Same as with their fruit. They also only get Timothy based pellets and only distilled water.
The kits are growing like little weeds and since adding not only the black oil sunflower seeds and oats they all look nice and round.
Took them to the vet today and she said I was doing far more than most even try to do and commend me on keeping eight so healthy. Willow will be spayed very soon. I want to wait and give her plenty of time to recover.
Finished two separate enclosures for them today. I hate having her in a “cage” right now but it’s the only way to keep the kits safe from the other FurBabies that want to play with them.

 

[Melmo]

 

[majorv]

If the pellets are Timothy based then you may want to offer some alfalfa hay mixed with the orchard. Just be careful about giving the kits very much boss and oats. Their digestive system is still immature.

 

[BonbonandJujubee]

Kits have very sensitive digestive systems so I would keep them on hay and mom's milk until 6 weeks old and then watch them closely when adding pellets. Daily checks on their eyes, ears, mouths, and bums are also very important.
You shouldn't have to worry to much now that they have fur and can see, but it's still important to check on them (and it's fun to sit with them).

 

[Melmo]

They are doing great. Each one healthy and happy. They are a joy to watch. Does anyone know at what age to will be able to clearly see their ***?

 

[Preitler]

That pretty much depends on you , it can be told when they are newborns. Well, and it depends on the kits, some are awfully hard to tell, better start early and reassass after some days until the outcome doesn't change each time

Is that a cat in the nestbox?

 

[majorv]

It’s actually easier to tell *** when they’re newborns; otherwise, by the time they’re 6-8 weeks you can usually tell.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

And they need to separated before 12 weeks--they will breed like "rabbits".

 

[Melmo]

That pretty much depends on you , it can be told when they are newborns. Well, and it depends on the kits, some are awfully hard to tell, better start early and reassass after some days until the outcome doesn't change each time

Is that a cat in the nestbox?

Yes. That’s Loki. The babies love cuddling up to him. He doesn’t try to play with them but he sure does groom them a lot. He would sneak in at night and sleep with Willow(momma) and now he climbs in with the babies during the day. The closure they sleep in is covered.

 

[rabbitlover2019]

They are doing great. Each one healthy and happy. They are a joy to watch. Does anyone know at what age to will be able to clearly see their ***?

a cat?

 

[Melmo]

a cat?

Yes he is a cat. Not your average cat since he thinks he is a rabbit.

 

[Bunny_Mommy]

They are doing great. Each one healthy and happy. They are a joy to watch. Does anyone know at what age to will be able to clearly see their ***?

Awww, some cats and rabbits truly love to play, haha. My bunnies have always hung out with stray cats LOL. This is so cute!

 

[rabbitlover2019]

Yes he is a cat. Not your average cat since he thinks he is a rabbit.

wonderful
please post some photos.

 

[Melmo]

wonderful
please post some photos.

If I try to keep them apart they will get as close as they can through the enclosure. When she (Willow) is out they stay right next to each other. Talk about star crossed lovers. LOL