struggling with the decision of hand-feeding

[TinysMom]

First some backstory. Last December we had litters born - a total of 17 babies - one mama's milk came in - one's didn't. Out of the 17 we wound up with 11 I think - then it went down after that. Some may remember how Cyrano, the runt passed away......then a few days ago, Annnie Oakley - the second (or third?) runt passed away suddenly. I find myself facing the question of "Was it because mama didn't feed them and she had so many).

So now I have a Holland Lop litter of four that is down to 1....and Nyx has 7 in her litter - but I'm not sure if she's fed them - and I can't seem to get any milk. She only pulled fur near two nipples...

I can hand feed these babies and then let them live with their mamas after their eyes open - my concern is - that I'm going to be opening myself up to more grief and pain over time because these guys will wind up dying of issues due to being formula fed.



Has anyone completely formula fed a litter or litters and had them be ok? I would like to let the babies stay with mama once their eyes are open and stuff so she can teach them about eating even if she doesn't nurse them....

Right now all of Nyx' kids look pretty good and none of them look "bad". I remember when I fed the runts - I wasn't sure they would make it cause they were smaller...

 

[Starlight Rabbitry]

I have successfully hand raised a few over the years. It takes time and a lot of patience. I used KMR with a high rate of success. Don't use any of the "make it yourself" formulas. I bought the powder form but if your babies are less than 2 weeks, I would recommend getting the liquid kind. Just be aware of the expiration dates.

Remember to stimulate them to urinate. Is the doe trying to nurse? If she is then let her, this way she will do everything and all you have to do is feed them before they "nurse" from her.

Sharon

 

[TinysMom]

Starlight Rabbitry wrote:

I have successfully hand raised a few over the years. It takes time and a lot of patience. I used KMR with a high rate of success. Don't use any of the "make it yourself" formulas. I bought the powder form but if your babies are less than 2 weeks, I would recommend getting the liquid kind. Just be aware of the expiration dates.

Remember to stimulate them to urinate. Is the doe trying to nurse? If she is then let her, this way she will do everything and all you have to do is feed them before they "nurse" from her.

Sharon

I was using a "make it yourself" formula - with the milk replacement, goat milk and colostrum.



I shouldn't do that? Its what I used before...



The forumula is stickied in the rabbitry area...

 

[tamsin]

I don't think deaths at 6 months plus is likely to be related to hand feeding. There is certainly an increase in mortality in the short term - up to around 12 weeks purely because of gut issues as fake milk is just not as good as the real thing. I think if they make it past that stage they've got to be pretty hardy.

When you say the lop is down to one, do you mean she's lost some? If so, what from? Fostering some of the bigger litter to her would be better than handfeeding. Check whether the babies have fed before you muck about with them though - they should look plump and have well fed bellies. They look skinny and wrinkly if not fed.

 

[TinysMom]

tamsin wrote:

I don't think deaths at 6 months plus is likely to be related to hand feeding. There is certainly an increase in mortality in the short term - up to around 12 weeks purely because of gut issues as fake milk is just not as good as the real thing. I think if they make it past that stage they've got to be pretty hardy.

When you say the lop is down to one, do you mean she's lost some? If so, what from? Fostering some of the bigger litter to her would be better than handfeeding. Check whether the babies have fed before you muck about with them though - they should look plump and have well fed bellies. They look skinny and wrinkly if not fed.

I've been breeding for five years (off and on) - so I understand about well-fed bellies.

The holland mama was feeding them...sometimes - then she was peeing on them and uncovering them.

The last one died tonight.

We also lost two flemish giant babies tonight. I don't think the mom's milk has come in yet as she only pulled fur for two nipples and the milk has not come in.

 

[lelanatty]

Is there anyone in your area that you can call in a favor to foster to?

 

[TinysMom]

lelanatty wrote:

Is there anyone in your area that you can call in a favor to foster to?

Sure - maybe 200 miles away....(you're probably one of the closest that I know).

I'm way way way down in Del Rio...I'm known here as the "Rabbit lady" because I'm the one who breeds bunnies.....I don't know of any other breeders in this town/county personally.

 

[lelanatty]

TinysMom wrote:

lelanatty wrote:

Is there anyone in your area that you can call in a favor to foster to?

Sure - maybe 200 miles away....(you're probably one of the closest that I know).

I'm way way way down in Del Rio...I'm known here as the "Rabbit lady" because I'm the one who breeds bunnies.....I don't know of any other breeders in this town/county personally.

OH. :shock:

well... If your Holland is producing milk then the least you can do is try to feed your flemish babies with her until your flemish's milk comes in. Use the old "flip her over and let the babies nurse" method. This could at least help you to tide them over until their mother's milk kicks in.