The Wabbit thread!!!! Anything about rabbits

[eggbert420]

She had them tonight.

 

[Finnisher]

Some of the kits my bunny had look starved while others look full. I've made an effort twice already to flip the mother over and put the babies on her to feed, however I feel like this is stressing the mother a lot. So I went out and bought some kitten milk (low lactose) to feed them, I haven't opened or used it yet but i'm just wondering what the recommended course of action to take would be because I don't want those 2/3 kits to starve.

 

[eggbert420]

How many did she have? Often a doe will have more than she can handle. Hand raising is next to impossible. I always mix the kitten milk with heavy whipping cream. Make sure to warm the bottle and test it on your wrist like you would a baby bottle. Good luck

 

[DutchBunny03]

Some of the kits my bunny had look starved while others look full. I've made an effort twice already to flip the mother over and put the babies on her to feed, however I feel like this is stressing the mother a lot. So I went out and bought some kitten milk (low lactose) to feed them, I haven't opened or used it yet but i'm just wondering what the recommended course of action to take would be because I don't want those 2/3 kits to starve.

If you can, try fostering. If you don't have another rabbit with similar age kits, see if a friend does. The kits have a much better chance surviving with a foster dam than with formula. Goat milk is actually better than kitten formula for rabbits, if hand-feeding is your only option. If that is not available, mix sweetened condensed milk with warm water. Kitten formula is not rich enough. How old are the kits? Do you have any pictures?

 

[BantamLover21]

How long ago were the kits born, Finnisher? Keep in mind that it may take a day or two for a doe's milk to completely come in.

I've had success using the following mixture to feed underfed/motherless kits:

4 tablespoons condensed goat milk
1 tablespoon corn syrup
1/2 of an egg yolk (approx.)

Goat milk (especially when part of the above formula) does tend to be better than kitten milk replacer. The best food, though, is actual rabbit milk. I would definitely look into a foster mother. If that isn't possible, try the formula listed above. I would also make sure you are feeding the doe unlimited quality pellets, and possibly supplement her with sunflower seeds, calf manna, and/or plants that increase milk supply, like parsley.

 

[Finnisher]

She had 11 kits and they were born Weds. I can return the kitten milk, but I don't know where I can get goat milk. I give them a lot of pellets and hay everyday. How stressful is getting the kits and the mother and making the kits drink? This is of course comparing the hand feeding vs this type of feeding, as these are my only two options.

Also, does the amount of lactose matter?

 

[eggbert420]

She had 11 kits and they were born Weds. I can return the kitten milk, but I don't know where I can get goat milk. I give them a lot of pellets and hay everyday. How stressful is getting the kits and the mother and making the kits drink? This is of course comparing the hand feeding vs this type of feeding, as these are my only two options.

Also, does the amount of lactose matter?

Goat milk is hard to find in my area. Try pet stores or a vet.

 

[ShellyBear]

Hey so I'm pretty sure my Neatherland dwarf is pregnant with one kit. . .She was used as a brood mom and has had many litters, but with one kit. . . will she and the kit be ok?

 

[eggbert420]

Only 1?

 

[ShellyBear]

Yes, or thats what I felt. I palpated her on day 14 and felt one baby. We did breed her with a younger buck, would that effect anything?