Non-interested doe!

[Mixedbirdies]

My rabbit doe had 9 newborn babies last night. This is my first time dealing with baby rabbits. But she shows no interest in them! I’m afraid they might die.

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

So sorry you're having problems with her! @dan26552 can you offer any advice?

 

[dan26552]

Yeah that sounds pretty normal. Most rabbits won’t mess with the babies a lot since in the wild that would attract predators. They’ll usually feed and take care of the kits maybe two times a day.
I have about 10 breeding rabbits and I’ve been raising them for nearly three years and have yet to see a doe show much interest in the kits. As long as she’s pulled fur and made a nest for them they should be fine.

 

[Fields Mountain Farm]

Yeah that sounds pretty normal. Most rabbits won’t mess with the babies a lot since in the wild that would attract predators. They’ll usually feed and take care of the kits maybe two times a day.

Thanks Dan!

 

[dan26552]

Thanks Dan!

Any time.

 

[Bunnylady]

Does usually feed their kits around dawn and dusk, and only for a few minutes at a time, so you may not catch her in there with them. If she is feeding them, you should be able to see a whitish blob in the middle of their tummies through the translucent belly skin. A lot of first-time mothers don't have a lot of milk at first, but as long as the white blob is there, they should be fine. At about day 3, the doe's milk production really kicks into gear, and the babies should look like they have swallowed little balloons after a feeding (this isn't usually an issue with subsequent litters; later litters usually have the balloon-swallower look from the get-go).

 

[BantamLover21]

I hope your kits are doing well by now. It is normal for does to not show interest in kits, as it is a survival technique. Most does will only "show interest" when feeding for a few minutes once or twice a day. You may never see her feed the kits, as many do it at night. Weighing the kits and/or monitoring their belly roundness will help you know if they are eating enough, though.

 

[Mixedbirdies]

Thanks for the help but they froze.I don’t think I insulated the box enough...