Rabbit kits question

[KatAndTree]

Hey all,

1 of my does have birth to 7 kits a few days ago and everyone seems to be doing well. Today I checked in the nest box and found a weird thing going on. The kits were separated, 4 in a small pile in the front and 3 in the back. The ones in the back were covered by a lot more pulled fur and seemed smaller than the other 4. Haven’t seen this before, did they just maybe get hot and move around? Or is momma thinking about let the smaller ones die? Just trying to understand this weird situation. Thanks!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

The kits move around on their own. I've had them crawl out of the fur probably because they are warm. Perhaps you need to make the nest smaller so they can't get too far away.

The mother rabbit will not move them, nor does she choose who to feed.

Another thing that can happen is some are still latched when she decides to leave after nursing, and they can get dragged out of the nest. Are you using an actual nest box?

 

[KatAndTree]

I am using a nest box. Unfortunately I went out to check on them today and 1 of the kits was out of the box and partially eaten. This is the first pregnancy this doe has gone through and she has been doing really well, but I’m worried. My other doe also has kits right now, but she already has 10 and I don’t think she could foster more, so I’m going to have to keep an eye on the situation.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

That's terrible. Sometimes they do that when they are stressed. You could remove them and physically put her on the nest twice a day if she's used to being handled. I had to hold my doe over a runt for a few days so it could get something to eat, and catch up.

 

[KatAndTree]

That's terrible. Sometimes they do that when they are stressed. You could remove them and physically put her on the nest twice a day if she's used to being handled. I had to hold my doe over a runt for a few days so it could get something to eat, and catch up.

I’m really hoping that it was just an accident. Maybe it jumped out and died and the doe chewed on it a bit. Idk, it’s definitely sad and I’m hoping it won’t happen again. Maybe I’ll put a camera out there and see what’s going on. All the babies seem to be getting fed so I don’t know what could’ve happened

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I’m really hoping that it was just an accident. Maybe it jumped out and died and the doe chewed on it a bit. Idk, it’s definitely sad and I’m hoping it won’t happen again. Maybe I’ll put a camera out there and see what’s going on. All the babies seem to be getting fed so I don’t know what could’ve happened

That is a possibility. Hopefully that's all it was.