Need Advice on New Mom and Babies AGRESSION TO ME

[kari harvey]

Did a “rescue” when a pet store offered me two free male bunnies. Well, obviously incorrect because we now have three babies.
Male is mini lop and female dwarf.

Male WAS REMOVED IMMEDIATELY and little girl is being a great mom. Babies are plump and healthy. BUT

She does not want me in her big outdoor pen. She does not want me near her little house where the babies are. She runs toward me and actually bit my hand once. She is VERY protective of them AND MAKES GROWLING NOISES TO ME. We can check them and touch them if we catch her and put her in a pet carrier and remove her for a short time to check on babies.

WILL THIS CHANGE ONCE THEY LEAVE NEST NEXT WEEK?
IS SHE BEING AGGRESSIVE SINCE WE REMOVED MALE?
JUST PROTECTING KITS?

She does not want me anywhere near that house !!!!

 

[kari harvey]

Did a “rescue” when a pet store offered me two free male bunnies. Well, obviously incorrect because we now have three babies.
Male us mini lop and female dwarf.

Male WAS REMOVED IMMEDIATELY and little girl is being a great mom. Babies are plump and healthy. BUT

She does not want me in her big outdoor pen. She does not want me near her little house where the babies are. She runs toward me and actually but my hand once. She is VERY protective of them. We can check them and touch them if we catch her and put her in a pet carrier and remove her for a short time to check on babies.

WILL THIS CHANGE ONCE THEY LEAVE NEST NEXT WEEK?
IS SHE BEING AGGRESSIVE SINCE WE REMOVED MALE?
JUST PROTECTING KITS?

She does not want me anywhere near that house !!!!

 

[Crazybunnylady27]

Awh they're adorable! My doe was a little grunty near the end of her pregnancy but has been friendly otherwise. I have read that it depends on how long her hormones take to settle down, she could also just be a very protective mum. She should be back to her usual self by the time she weans the kits but that won't be until they are 5 weeks old. Hopefully before then though!

 

[Velveteen Lop]

Awh they're adorable! My doe was a little grunty near the end of her pregnancy but has been friendly otherwise. I have read that it depends on how long her hormones take to settle down, she could also just be a very protective mum. She should be back to her usual self by the time she weans the kits but that won't be until they are 5 weeks old. Hopefully before then though!

Hopefully they aren't weaned at 5 weeks! They should be eating hay and pellets at this time, but still nursing. They should really be weaned at 8 weeks, but some of my buns wean themselves at 6 weeks.

Doe should calm down over the weeks, if not, that might just be her temperament now. Pregnancy is known to change some rabbits attitudes. She's not being aggressive about the male gone, and mom bunnies don't really 'protect' their kits like that. When the kits leave is when she should start to go back to her normal self.
Good luck! What cute kits!

 

[Crazybunnylady27]

Hopefully they aren't weaned at 5 weeks! They should be eating hay and pellets at this time, but still nursing. They should really be weaned at 8 weeks, but some of my buns wean themselves at 6 weeks.

Doe should calm down over the weeks, if not, that might just be her temperament now. Pregnancy is known to change some rabbits attitudes. She's not being aggressive about the male gone, and mom bunnies don't really 'protect' their kits like that. When the kits leave is when she should start to go back to her normal self.
Good luck! What cute kits!

I was referring to the behaviour improving before then - not to the weaning happening before then. My litter are starting weaning now at 5 weeks - they are doing it themselves not due to my intervention.

I won't be separating the mum full time untill 8 weeks.

Although it is unusual for rabbit mum's to be protective - as they usually act like they are ignoring the nest to keep it safe. Protective behaviour has been seen in domestic rabbits.

 

[majorv]

Some does can be very protective when the kits are first born and some are okay with you messing with them. We rarely had a doe stay protective once they were older - after 2 weeks. You just need to divert her attention or move her in order to check on them.