dainerra
Well-Known Member
I am going to double post this here and in the breeding area, just to make sure it gets seen by someone "in the know"
I have already talked to my vet, but he agreed that checking here would be a good idea as well.
March 11, Twilight 1 1/2 yr old mixed-breed doe gave birth to 7 kits. She is feeding and taking great care of them. I check 2X a day and they have always had full tummies. However, one of them is smaller than the others - not uncommon in larger litters I'm sure. It wasn't a problem the first couple of days - the size difference wasn't that great and the smallest was definitely holding her(his?) own.
Now, though, the difference is REALLY noticeable. Even though I can tell that the little one has been able to get food, I worry if she is getting enough? The smallest keeps ending up on the bottom of the pile, getting easily pushed out of the way by the bigger kits.
The point is, what (and should) I supplement feed? The vet said that they usually use a mix of goat milk, kitten replacer, etc to feed orphaned wild bunnies. However, he said that since the baby is eating from mother, that it would be ok to give a small feeding of just kitten milk replacer once a day.
Any opinions on this? Or should I just keep an eye the little one? I would rather step in and head off trouble before it begins.
Almost forgot to add - it is possible that this baby is just smaller. Mom is a large mixed doe while Dad was a small, mini ?? that was about 1/8 her size.
I have already talked to my vet, but he agreed that checking here would be a good idea as well.
March 11, Twilight 1 1/2 yr old mixed-breed doe gave birth to 7 kits. She is feeding and taking great care of them. I check 2X a day and they have always had full tummies. However, one of them is smaller than the others - not uncommon in larger litters I'm sure. It wasn't a problem the first couple of days - the size difference wasn't that great and the smallest was definitely holding her(his?) own.
Now, though, the difference is REALLY noticeable. Even though I can tell that the little one has been able to get food, I worry if she is getting enough? The smallest keeps ending up on the bottom of the pile, getting easily pushed out of the way by the bigger kits.
The point is, what (and should) I supplement feed? The vet said that they usually use a mix of goat milk, kitten replacer, etc to feed orphaned wild bunnies. However, he said that since the baby is eating from mother, that it would be ok to give a small feeding of just kitten milk replacer once a day.
Any opinions on this? Or should I just keep an eye the little one? I would rather step in and head off trouble before it begins.
Almost forgot to add - it is possible that this baby is just smaller. Mom is a large mixed doe while Dad was a small, mini ?? that was about 1/8 her size.
