Weaning baby rabbits?

[m4ddi3b]

So i went to my local vets and they said when the baby bunnies are 8 weeks I can take them to get sexed. Should i wean this before them or will they be alright going for a quick trip out? I plan on keeping a girl with the doe and possibly 2 same gender siblings together (most likely only if girl). I don’t want them to get stressed away from their mum if i take them out so which should i do?

 

[bunnylove2024]

They should be weaker by then but if not wait a bit for the sexing.

 

[bunnylove2024]

They should be weaker by then but if not wait a bit for the sexing.

I just realized what I said! The should be weaned by then not weaker.

 

[m4ddi3b]

I just realized what I said! The should be weaned by then not weaker.

I plan to do the weaning process between 6-7 weeks I think then take them to get sexed at 8 weeks. Does this sound alright? I plan to keep one or two daughters with the doe depending on how many their are so will they be alright to go back with her after weaning? x

 

[bunnylove2024]

yeah, that sounds great!

 

[zuppa]

I plan to do the weaning process between 6-7 weeks I think then take them to get sexed at 8 weeks. Does this sound alright? I plan to keep one or two daughters with the doe depending on how many their are so will they be alright to go back with her after weaning? x

You don't have to do anything they will be weaned by their mother naturally, if she wants to nurse them longer it's up to her, just generally they should be able to eat solid food and drink water on their own by 6 weeks so usually by 8 weeks they are ready to go and can be rehomed. You can try sexing them sometimes it's obvious at 6 weeks, sometimes not that obvious so you can check again every week, you should be able to sex them by 10 weeks for sure.
Dwarf breeds become sexually active a bit earlier so you will be able to see boys probably but not always, it depends on individual rabbits very much.

 

[Preitler]

Only reason to wean them that early is if your doe is on a tight breeding schedule. I would not do that. Espacially if you plan to put them together again, that's not weaning. I seperate the boys at 12 weeks (10 lbs rabbits), the doelings stay with mom up to 5 months, she weans them when she likes to.
In a pinch, like when there's the next litter coming, kits can be weaned at 4 weeks, I prefer to keep them with the old ones as long as possible for socialising.

What has sexing to do with weaning anyway? At that age it is no problem to seperate them from the doe for some hours, they nurse only twice per day, and at that age the little gremlins can be a PITA to the doe anyway if she doesn't have a chance to get away.

Just keep your daily routine, get them sexed if you can't do it yourself, and put them back.

 

[m4ddi3b]

yeah, that sounds great!

Thank you

 

[m4ddi3b]

You don't have to do anything they will be weaned by their mother naturally, if she wants to nurse them longer it's up to her, just generally they should be able to eat solid food and drink water on their own by 6 weeks so usually by 8 weeks they are ready to go and can be rehomed. You can try sexing them sometimes it's obvious at 6 weeks, sometimes not that obvious so you can check again every week, you should be able to sex them by 10 weeks for sure.
Dwarf breeds become sexually active a bit earlier so you will be able to see boys probably but not always, it depends on individual rabbits very much.

I’ve been told to wean them gradually to reduce the stress of them suddenly being taken to new homes but thank you for the help

 

[m4ddi3b]

Only reason to wean them that early is if your doe is on a tight breeding schedule. I would not do that. Espacially if you plan to put them together again, that's not weaning. I seperate the boys at 12 weeks (10 lbs rabbits), the doelings stay with mom up to 5 months, she weans them when she likes to.
In a pinch, like when there's the next litter coming, kits can be weaned at 4 weeks, I prefer to keep them with the old ones as long as possible for socialising.

What has sexing to do with weaning anyway? At that age it is no problem to seperate them from the doe for some hours, they nurse only twice per day, and at that age the little gremlins can be a PITA to the doe anyway if she doesn't have a chance to get away.

Just keep your daily routine, get them sexed if you can't do it yourself, and put them back.

My vets have already said they will sex them for me after 8 weeks, i’m weaning them once they are independent to take the stress out of rehoming them

 

[m4ddi3b]

The babies are constantly running around with the mum and always near her playing thats why when they’re ready i will slowly wean them so they’re not used to being near her as much

 

[zuppa]

I’ve been told to wean them gradually to reduce the stress of them suddenly being taken to new homes but thank you for the help

Again, there's absolutely no need to do that, just let them be. You just don't have to do anything, sexing is not related to weaning, you can easily sex them yourself. Search sexing rabbits on this site and you will find thread with clear photo if not sure you can take pics and post them here we'll help.

 

[Preitler]

I’ve been told to wean them gradually to reduce the stress of them suddenly being taken to new homes but thank you for the help

If they pester the doe and it's just for some hours, thats ok. But not for longer or at their nursing times. As far as I know that rises the chances for complications like mastitis, a clean cut is better there. Also, it could spark social problems.
Do not wean them gradually.

I sometimes give the does garden time without the kits during daytime, so they have time to relax, but at feeding time they are eager to get rid of the milk.

 

[m4ddi3b]

If they pester the doe and it's just for some hours, thats ok. But not for longer or at their nursing times. As far as I know that rises the chances for complications like mastitis, a clean cut is better there. Also, it could spark social problems.
Do not wean them gradually.

I sometimes give the does garden time without the kits during daytime, so they have time to relax, but at feeding time they are eager to get rid of the milk.

okay thank you

 

[m4ddi3b]

Again, there's absolutely no need to do that, just let them be. You just don't have to do anything, sexing is not related to weaning, you can easily sex them yourself. Search sexing rabbits on this site and you will find thread with clear photo if not sure you can take pics and post them here we'll help.

ok thanks

 

[zuppa]

ok thanks

https://www.rabbitsonline.net/threads/sexing-rabbit-pictures.44936/

 

[m4ddi3b]

https://www.rabbitsonline.net/threads/sexing-rabbit-pictures.44936/

I might give it a go before going to vets and see if i get any right thank you

 

[Preitler]

You can make pictures and post them here . Have a look at sexing pictures to see how it is done - a second person is of great help there.

 

[m4ddi3b]

You can make pictures and post them here . Have a look at sexing pictures to see how it is done - a second person is of great help there.

Thanks