Sami-Duck
In the Brooder
- Aug 2, 2018
- 14
- 29
- 49
Hello!
This site has been magical to me before, so I wonder if I can ask about a non-related question.
My eight-month-old doe gave birth to five kits, but her milk hasn't come in yet. It's her first pregnancy, she didn't build a nest or pull fur, just dropped them out all over the hay (luckily I happened by and managed to scoop them up before they got too cold, and put them in the nesting box with some cut up alpaca fleece to keep them warm). They are in the pen with Mum (she goes over, sniffs them, but otherwise isn't interested). Their weights are dropping, and they are all wrinkly and thing - not a fat belly in sight. Today, on the two littlest, you can see their ribs.
I waited the 24 hours before starting supplemental feeding (I'm still hoping mum's milk will come in, but I know it can take up to four days), but the babies aren't suckling enough milk to make their bellies fat. This is my first time hand-feeding bunnies so I'm being very gentle and cautious because I don't want them to aspirate. There's a video on youtube where the lady just pokes the pipette end into their mouths and slowly releases, but I wait for them to take the teat/milk drop
Any suggestions?
This site has been magical to me before, so I wonder if I can ask about a non-related question.
My eight-month-old doe gave birth to five kits, but her milk hasn't come in yet. It's her first pregnancy, she didn't build a nest or pull fur, just dropped them out all over the hay (luckily I happened by and managed to scoop them up before they got too cold, and put them in the nesting box with some cut up alpaca fleece to keep them warm). They are in the pen with Mum (she goes over, sniffs them, but otherwise isn't interested). Their weights are dropping, and they are all wrinkly and thing - not a fat belly in sight. Today, on the two littlest, you can see their ribs.
I waited the 24 hours before starting supplemental feeding (I'm still hoping mum's milk will come in, but I know it can take up to four days), but the babies aren't suckling enough milk to make their bellies fat. This is my first time hand-feeding bunnies so I'm being very gentle and cautious because I don't want them to aspirate. There's a video on youtube where the lady just pokes the pipette end into their mouths and slowly releases, but I wait for them to take the teat/milk drop
Any suggestions?
