Please Help, 3 week old bunnies found dead. Second litter lost.

[BunnyMomma2018]

Hello all,
I really appreciate any positive feedback that will help me and beg you all to not judge me and keep any mean comments to yourself as I am already heartbroken and new to this. I have done a lot of research during this process and thought we knew what we were doing.

I have a momma bunny who keeps losing litters at 3 weeks. The first litter was only two kits. They got out of the nesting box and I believe got too cold. This litter we had secured the nesting box, made sure they were all in there at night and seemed to be doing great! I was really excited when they all survived overnight during several freezing nights and began to feel secure in their survival. Then yesterday morning I woke up to them all dead in their nesting box. Imagine my heartbreak :'(

I really would like some advice as to what it could be?!?!? They all passed in one night which makes me think it was temperature, but I have my doubts since it was only 40 degrees and they all had survived much colder when they were smaller. I am heartbroken for myself and my daughter and hope someone may have suggestions that will help us have a successful litter. Burrying sweet babies is not my favorite thing to do.

Thank you in advance and God Bless!

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi and welcome to BYC. Sorry to hear about you situation. This is the best forum to post your question - Other Pets & Livestock

BYC has a sister site that you may be interested in joining - BackYardHerds.com

Good luck

 

[rjohns39]

Hi and welcome to BYC We're so happy you've decided to join us So sorry for your losses, I'm someone can help you figure out what's going on.

 

[TwoCrows]

Hello there and welcome to BYC!

I am so sorry about your bunnies. Definitely stop by our Other Pets and Livestock forums as well as our sister site Back Yard Herds. Ken has left you with both links.

Good luck and I hope you can get this solved soon!

 

[Sara Ranch]

*hugs*

How is the rabbit poo disposed of?

Someone I know who has had similar experiences was unaware that she was infested with rats and mice. The rats loved to climb all over the rabbit cages, chew on the cages to gain access, ate the rabbit food, ate the rabbit poo, and drank the rabbits water. It was like the mice, rats, and rabbits were the best of friends.

Mice and rabbits can bring and leave diseases.

Momma bunny needs to eat enough to sustain herself, make milk, and feed her babies. If during the nursing stage, momma bunny didn't have enough, then the babies didn't have enough. Possibly making them less hardy/weaker immune systems.

The person still has not had a successful litter, despite moving the cages, and starting over with all new stock. The person denies that there could be rodents on the property.

Are the bunnies getting enough natural light? Fresh air?

Is daddy bunny related to mommy bunny? A remote chance?

Where is daddy bunny living?

Any bunnies in cages that share walls with mommy bunny?

What are you feeding the bunnies?

I don't know what is happening with your bunnies, but I hope you keep learning. Keep doing the best you can. Maybe the spring will bring better results?

*hugs*

 

[sourland]

Welcome to BYC, and sorry about the losses. Perhaps @Bunnylady can share some input.

 

[BunnyMomma2018]

Thank you all for your genuine comments, this has been so hard and I have felt very responsible about losing the babies and was afraid people would just make me feel worse, but I need to know if there is something I can do to remedy this situation.

We have them in an outdoor cage, that has three walls (the floor is solid) and one door with mesh to allow fresh air. They always have water and hay. Although there is a possiblity of mice (we live in the country) I doubt it, just because I don't see how they would get in with the way the cage is set up.

The cage does have a divider with Daddy one one side and momma on the other, and as far as their poop, I go out there to clean their cages out. Is it possible that they got sick from the feces and all died at one time?? Like literally all over night.

 

[Sara Ranch]

It's possible they had worms and died about the same time.

It's possible that they were malnourished.

It's possible they had compromised immune systems.

It's possible that a visiting rodent dropped some germs/poop/urine in the area and the germs went to the babies.

Is there a chance that there was some moisture in the hay? A little bit of mold could do the bunnies in.

Would you be able to or willing to clean the cages every day or every other day? What do you use for cleaning? Some cleaning materials are toxic to animals.

I am hoping someone else will have some viable suggestions or guidance for you.

*hugs*

 

[RodNTN]

Hello there! And It is wonderful to have you here with us! But I am extremely sorry about your circumstances Lots of helpful advice from the above, great questions from @Sara Ranch I have never kept rabbits, so I can't give you any personal advice.
My prayers are with you!

 

[TwinsLoveChicks]

Welcome to BYC!
I'm so sorry about your bunnies! I really wish that I could help you!