What Rabbits Do You Have? Show Off Your Rabbits Here!

[APDoxies]

Needing some help, please. Have a litter of 5 mini lops that turned 3 weeks this past Monday. I'm pretty certain mom has stopped feeding them. They are becoming boney. What do I do?

 

[ChocolateMouse]

P, are they eating on their own yet? I would mix some rolled oats into the feed to encourage them to chow down on it and make sure they have water that they know how to drink and lots of hay. At this late stage it seems unlikely that they will NEED something like force nursing or formula but if you do choose to go the formula route I have always heard beating an egg yolk into a cup of milk with 2TBS corn syrup and some probiotic powder is the way to go! You may also be able to just give some extra calories through their water by mixing some Nutri-Cal or similar (or just corn syrup) into the water along with some probiotic powder.

 

[Bunnylady]

Some folks will put a bit of Calf Manna in with the pellets and oats for kits that wean early, too.

 

[kacklinkelly]

OMG that video is great! Checking out rabbit hopping now.

 

[APDoxies]

I'm not sure if they are eating on their own yet. I've seen them chewing, but then also seen them spit it out. They have free choice hay & breeder/kit (18%) pellets. The water is in a ceramic crock on the floor of the pen and I've seen them hop into it (when it was empty), so I'm assuming they know where it's at. It feels like we've come so far (although it's only been 3 weeks) and I'd just hate to lose them now. I'll add some oats to her feed - we feed with a J feeder and see if that will help. Should I sprinkle some oats on the nest area, just incase? Thank you for the help!!!

 

[ChocolateMouse]

I would try feeding in a crock near the nest instead where the kits can see mom eating and will try to join in.

 

[APDoxies]

The nest is right under the J feeder - think I still need to add a crock? I don't mind - just asking....Thanks!

 

[ChocolateMouse]

I like crocks because the kits can reach them easier. Yes, sometimes they hop inside of them, or pee in them or spill them but they can ALWAYS reach in them and several can fit around one bowl. I guess it depends on where your J feeder is and how it's designed. If it's low enough and wide enough for mom AND 1-2 kits to eat out of at once it shouldn't make a difference.

 

[Ariana Martinez]

My show rabbit Bella!

 

[APDoxies]

I'll add one to be safe. Just don't want to lose them. Thanks for you help!