I just got two rabbits from a friend that rescued them. They are not really use to people and are timid and scared. I noticed that the mother was pulling at her fur and made a nest. She has babies earlier today (this being her first) I was just wondering if anyone knew when she was going to start feeding them. Should I look into the nest for dead rabbits or will that cause her to not care for them? I’m a little confused on what to do.
Thanks.
- Discover How You Can Be a Fashion Photographer | Sacredcowtipping
- How one can Select the Best Leather Baggage | fungamestore.com
- » Find out how to Choose the Best Leather-based Luggage
- Find out More About the Work of a Fashion Photographer | Top Daily Articles
- Comprehensive Opinion » The correct way to Select the Best Leather Bags
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Give the doe 24 hours before you disturb the nest. Shine a light over the nest box of fur. The babies will be under the fur. If you see movement, you know they are alive. She will only go in the box 1-3 x per day to nurse. Make sure she has water and feed pellets at all times in her dish to eat more to bring in milk. If she pulled fur, she should take care of her young. If you make a nervous doe upset, she could jump in/out of her box and stomp the newborns. If she is a calm doe, you can pull the nest box to the door and peek inside lifting the fur cautiously. If there are dead kits, remove them. Do not bother the nest more than necessary and put the box back in place and leave the doe. Newborns if nursed will have round bellies/abdomens as a sign of being fed. Good luck.
Yes, you should check for any dead or deformed kits. Remove them from the nest. I hope you have anestbox for her. if not you should get one right away and move the whole nest into the box.
A rabbit only feeds her young 1 sometimes 2 times a day. She will not want to do it if you are watching. This is instinct to protect the young. Most does feed late at night when everything is quiet and no one is around. Most of the time you will not see her in the nestbox with them. She will go in , feed them in about 5 minutes and jump back out. Some does do not start feeding the kits right away. They have to wait until their milk"comes in". Thsi can take anywhere from 12-48 hours after she has kindled(given birth). If she does not feed them by 48 hours they will probably not survive. You should check the kitas everyday to make sure she is feeding them. If she is feeding them they will have very round, full bellies. If they are not being cared for they will look very skinny and wrinkly. They will also be weak and not jump around if she is neglecting them. Well fed babies jump and make squeking sounds when you put your hand in the nest.
It is fine to touch the kits, she will not abandon them because you touch them If she does it is because she knows there is something wrong with the kits. Mother rabbits know when kits are not right. I have been raising rabbits for 16 years and I touch the kits from the day they are born. never had a doe hurt the kits because I did.