Baby Bunnies dug up

[shellbell751]

Hello - I know this redundant to what I have already seen on the site but my sons dog found a bunny nest in the middle of our yard and I caught her in the act. I got the baby bunnies back into the nest as best I could and we fenced it off leaving space for mama to come back. Its been 24 hours and I dont think she has been back. The babies had no fur and their eyes were still closed. I could try to save them but want advice as to what to do for food. My daughter has frozen breast milk from nursing should I try this or try to take them to a shelter? Advice is appreciated. My heart is breaking!

 

[sourland]

sorry for the circumstances. If you are POSITIVE that the mother has not come back I would suggest contacting a wildlife rehab facility. Good luck for them.

 

[fuzzyfarmer]

Momma bunnies only visit the nest for a few minutes each day to feed them. It would be easy to miss her quick, secretive visit. It might be best to leave them and hope their mom wasn't scared off. Bunnies are pretty tough creatures and she will probably come back once she's sure the coast is clear.

 

[neo71665]

Most likely if the dog dug them up the mother has abandoned them.

Wild rabbits are hard to raise. All my years being a rehabilitater they are they only animal I have never had any luck with.

 

[Mglinski]

Momma bunnies only visit the nest for a few minutes each day to feed them. It would be easy to miss her quick, secretive visit. It might be best to leave them and hope their mom wasn't scared off. Bunnies are pretty tough creatures and she will probably come back once she's sure the coast is clear.

Agree. We raise rabbits and I don't think I have ever witnessed mom going to feed them in nest boxes in all these years. Moms stay away to protect them from prey that might be watching. You could wait 2 days and check babies. If they are looking wrinkled and skinny, then they are not being fed which you could intervene then. But if bellies are plump then mom is visiting and I wouldn't worry. Be sure to wear gloves when checking them as mom might abandon or kill them if they have your smell on it

 

[CluckerFamily]

I would wait. I was able to watch a momma bunny have a batch of babies. She only nursed just as the sun came up for about 3 minutes max and then again at sundown.

 

[Grammy60]

Hello and welcome to BYC Good luck with the bunnies.

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Welcome to BYC!
Best of luck!

 

[swampfox440]

Love the Bunnies @CluckerFamily is correct wild rabbits don't stay long when nursing. .

 

[EverythingDucks]

Hello and welcome to BackYard Chickens! Glad you joined.

Rabbit mothers will only visit the nest twice a day, for a few minutes. They feed them early in the morning and late at night so it's unlikely you'll catch her feeding them.
You can set some string around the nest to see if it moves. If you could setup a camera (trail cams work great) that would be the best way to see.

If she is not feeding them, put some gloves on and check their bellies. They should be full of milk. If they are full then leave them be. Don't even bother to check on them or hang around the area afterwards.

If they are skinny and wrinkly put them all in a box with a blanket (with no loose strings that they could strangle themselves on) and take them to a wildlife rehab.

I do not recommend hand raising them yourself. Even professional rehabbers have a hard time keeping them all alive. In the wild usually only a few make it anyways.