New mum and slave never had kits before either!

[Buttons Mum]

My 8 month old rabbit has just given birth (unplanned) to 5 kits. 4 are black and one is pink (I'm sure there are more technical terms for this!) She seems to be doing ok as a mum, 2 were seperate from the other 3 yesterday and this morning she has moved them all together and covered them over in straw, hay and fur.

I checked this morning that they were all moving, breathing and look plump. I made sure I rubbed my hands all over mum 1st, but she wasn't all that happy I was in there. The nest is in the 'bedroom' type area of her hutch and it seems pretty warm and cosy. I'm a little worried about sticking my nose in and interfearing as she seems to be doing a good job, but at the same time I don't want her to be distressed if it's tough for her? Dad had been taken out 4 days before she gave birth and is being neutered on Thursday.

I have 2 main questions really.

Do I need to be doing anything other than keeping her food supply up and fresh water and should I just leave her to it and just keep an eye on them?

and 2nd we are due to move house in 4 weeks, will it be ok to move them all?

Any help is appreciated. I'm itching to photograph them too, but don't want to scare anyone! Dad is pining for mum and my other male is getting very grumpy!

 

[Momto3boys]

I shouldn't be the one replying to this since I have absolutely NO experience what so ever but it sounds like mama is doing a great job.

I wish I had the answers to your questions....but congrats on the babies

 

[Buttons Mum]

Thank you. I am a very proud 'slave grandma'!

 

[Jashaira]

Sound like Mom is doing good. I always check in on the babies to make sure they are being fed. They should have nice round ping-pog type bellies. The pink one could be a REW ruby eye white. Pointed whites also start out the same but get the points (ears,nose,feet and tail) color latter.

As for your move they will do just fine in 4 weeks. They will be eating solid by then and running all over the cage. It is amazing how fast the babies grow up. Please keep dad away from mom and kits until he get neutered and I think it is 6-8weeks after surgery. Just to make sure he can't make more babies.

Sounds like you are doing a wonderful job congratulations on the new babies. Don't for get pictures.

 

[Buttons Mum]

Ok so here goes, 1st attemp at uploading photos. Here are the babies!
Baby at top right has a little white patch on it's mouth like mum and dad and the baby at the botton has a teeny tiny patch of whit on the top of it's head like mum. It must be only 2 or 3 hairs!

They are 1 week old today and I still haven't managed to build up the courage to pick one up yet!

 

[Momto3boys]

Oh they are adorable :heartbeat:

Are you keeping the babies?

 

[Buttons Mum]

I don't think so as we already have 2 rabbits and 1 is a GIANT French lop! As much as I'd love to, I don't think we have enough room for 6!

We get the keys to our new house on Monday (eek!) and we're hoping that we can integrate all 3 buns together then they are having their very own whole shed for a home! I can't wait to kit them out!

And yes I think they are very adorable too!! but I am biased.

 

[GorbyJobRabbits]

I'd def start petting them at the very least now, before the eyes open that way they are used to your touch and scent. They go crazy after their eyes are open and seeing this huge human lurking about makes them more afraid. But if you at least pet them and get them used to your smell and your warm touch its easier on them.

 

[TinysMom]

I hope you don't mean that you want to house the three buns together without some sort of caging between them - as you will continue to have litters if you don't keep mom separate. I am assuming that I'm misunderstanding you.

They are cute - it sounds like mama is doing a great job.

 

[mistyjr]

Like Anderson said, You need to start holding them checking them out for a few min. They need to get used to you. If you don't handle them daily. They will be hard to handle when they are older. I have this problem with some 9 week old babies since they didnt come to when they were newborns. Sounds like Mom is doing great with the babies.

 

[Debacus]

Just a note of caution, when moving mum/babies to your new home, I would maybe consider keeping babies in a seperate carrier just in case in close confines mum accidently squashes them! Take some of there dirty/used bedding in the carrier to put in their cage once they are at their new destination to help them settle down easier.

 

[Buttons Mum]

Thanks for the tip for moving them Debacus, I hadn't thought of that!

And thanks to evenryone else about the handling tips. I picked one up today and am definitely going to start handling them every day. I'm a little worried that their nest area needs cleaning out? I have given mum fresh straw to take in to them, but she'd not sone it. Should I swap out some of the dirty stuff or leave it a bit longer?

Also Tinysmum, I've now had both boys castrated. Dad was booked in and managed to do the deed before we separated them. but I don't plan to integrate them until babies have left and hope to get the 2 boys together 1st.

Thanks again all help is greatly appreciated

 

[Blaze_Amita]

as for dirty bedding, I would gently move the babies aside and clean the bedding. It cuts down/out odors, stains, and insects. If any of the fur is dry, keep it to put in the fesh beddingand then place them back. I've always cleaned my nest boxes around 10-15 days sooner for larger litters because the babies pee and pooh in it

 

[Nancy McClelland]

Love the pictures.