Rabbit Kits and the cold weather

[Krause_LN]

we bread a bunch of our does a month ago not expecting such harsh weather.. as it is very uncommon for us this time of year..-40

So far we have lost a doe while kindeling, and 2 sets of kits

Our first doe has a litter of 8 her first time around and we have 4 left from her.. 3 died during the 3 week age and one we put down cause it lost all use of its back legs and was always full of poop and urine.

My question is.. how do I keep these little bunnies alive during this cold weather?

They have shelter, we even added a heater hanging from the roof as to not catch the hay/straw on fire

All does have nesting boxes and a lot of straw for insulation.

Kits were covered in mamas fur and still died

What can I do to help the one kindeling today in -42 Celsius ?! Please help!

 

[junebuggena]

Bring them inside. That is too cold for newborn kits, no matter how much fur is pulled to cover them.

 

[Krause_LN]

Bring them inside. That is too cold for newborn kits, no matter how much fur is pulled to cover them.

Hubby and I found a big box and brought mama and babies in the basement! So far all are doing well. We have 4 little ones from this batch.

 

[junebuggena]

Excellent.

 

[balloonflower]

Now that she has kindled, mama could be returned outside, while keeping the kits indoors and taking them for feeding twice daily. It might be easier--she could easily eat through a box, and has an outside coat so might be too warm inside. Congrats on the litter!

 

[Krause_LN]

Now that she has kindled, mama could be returned outside, while keeping the kits indoors and taking them for feeding twice daily. It might be easier--she could easily eat through a box, and has an outside coat so might be too warm inside. Congrats on the litter!

Would mama refuse her babies?! I’m worried to move them around (to and from her) in the case she chooses to refuse to feed them

 

[balloonflower]

What type of nestbox are the kits in? I use wire cages with a plywood nestbox, and have had no issues with removing the box of kits. The doe doesn't spend time in the box other than to feed. Two weeks ago when my kits were new I brought them in, though the garage where buns are never got below 25. Each morning when I took the box out, mama hopped right in and went to work. In the evening, I would just leave them for a couple hours unless I saw she was in and done. The kits thrived, and it's my fattest litter yet. However, it is possible that she could neglect. It really depends on the doe.

 

[Krause_LN]

What type of nestbox are the kits in? I use wire cages with a plywood nestbox, and have had no issues with removing the box of kits. The doe doesn't spend time in the box other than to feed. Two weeks ago when my kits were new I brought them in, though the garage where buns are never got below 25. Each morning when I took the box out, mama hopped right in and went to work. In the evening, I would just leave them for a couple hours unless I saw she was in and done. The kits thrived, and it's my fattest litter yet. However, it is possible that she could neglect. It really depends on the doe.

Okay thanks. So far babies are still alive and mama is doing well. She’s lounging out and has been eating and drinking a lot of water! The water in the “barn” is always frozen at least this way she has all the water she needs!

I was a breastfeeding mama so I know how very thirsty it makes you! Haha

 

[balloonflower]

My current mama's kits are three weeks old today. She's eating everything in sight still--nearly three cups of pellets, plus her treats of boss, rolled oats, and calf manna. And looks at me like I'm starving her anytime the feeder is empty!

My water bottles haven't done too bad, though for a few nights I brought them in. Never realized how loud they are until the next morning when all eight bunnies were drinking at the same time after I put them back.

 

[Krause_LN]

My current mama's kits are three weeks old today. She's eating everything in sight still--nearly three cups of pellets, plus her treats of boss, rolled oats, and calf manna. And looks at me like I'm starving her anytime the feeder is empty!

My water bottles haven't done too bad, though for a few nights I brought them in. Never realized how loud they are until the next morning when all eight bunnies were drinking at the same time after I put them back.

Yeah the -42 degrees celcuse we’ve been having put a real damper on my homestead. We lost kits, chickens and quail.

Turkeys and pheasants are doing great tho!