Urgent- Rabbit Kits

[EarthView]

Two weeks ago I bought a pair of new zeland rabbits, Thursday (of this week) the doe gave birth. As this was unexpected the kits were born on the cage floor but otherwise seemed fine, the doe pulled no fur. We moved her to a larger cage to allow room for a nest box and added a layer of shavings and a deeper layer of hay for thr nest. We made an indent, placed the babies in it and covered them with fur. The thing is, I'm not sure if she's fed/is feeding them. Everytime we check on the babies they are uncovered like she has done it but never covered back up. She's also trying to use the box as a litter box and eats the hay in the box. I know kits only feed once a day but I'm beginning to doubt she's fed them at all. I'm not sure what to do.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

If they are being fed their tummies will feel full and look round. If she isn't feeding them they will get thin and gaunt.

Sometimes a stressed doe will abandon the kits. You could try holding her over them so they can drink which isn't always easy. If they are in a depression it will help. Otherwise you can bottle feed babies, but I have no experience with that personally so I can't give any advice.

 

[EarthView]

Their skin is a bit wrinkly and they are quiet thin, defiantly not round. The doe is not tame at all but I'll try to hold her over them and see how it goes.

 

[chickens really]

Their skin is a bit wrinkly and they are quiet thin, defiantly not round. The doe is not tame at all but I'll try to hold her over them and see how it goes.

Well I'd add some fluff from a store that sells hobby supplies.
She probably us a bit stressed so she knows where the babies are. If they parish it's not your fault.

 

[EarthView]

I suppose I underestimated how untame she was. The guy we bought her from never handled them and when I went to pick her up she screamed.

 

[EarthView]

I'm so used to having tame rabbits that when I would breed them I could work with the babies right away and the doe would be completely fine with it. We raised several healthy litters. Never had rabbits scream before, but mine were pets and his arnt.

 

[EarthView]

What type of milk is best for hand feeding? Kitten or powdered goats milk?

 

[cassie]

What type of milk is best for hand feeding? Kitten or powdered goats milk?

Goats milk is great for a lot of things but not this. Goat milk is easier to digest than cow milk but it has about the same nutrient density. Puppies, kittens, and rabbits need a very nutrient dense food. Go with the kitten milk.

 

[EarthView]

Does it have to be powered or can it be the liquid kittens milk? We grabbed the liquid stuff without thinking.

 

[cassie]

Either. If you get the powdered you will have to mix it with water to make milk anyway. Now you need a nursing bottle or eyedropper or something to feed them with.