When are they old enough (rabbits)?

[Swamp Roo]

My doe finally kindled. How old do rabbits need to be in order to be handled? These are meat rabbits, but will be part of my breeding stock, and I don't want them to be scared of me like the parents are. They don't need to be "friendly", I just feel like I'm terrorizing the parents just by feeding them and such. I expect when the eyes open?

Swamp

 

[Hoosiermomma]

Our Netherland Dwarf just had a litter and we have handled them from day 2-3. They are now close to two weeks old. The mom is very trusting and lets us take her baby out of the nest. I wouldn't recommend doing that regularly. I do just because we started out with 5 and are down to one. I want to make sure this one is getting enough food on daily basis.

 

[Georgia Rose]

I handle all my kits from day one. With some breeds, the does can be more protective than others. All you have to do is distract her when you take the kits out and she will be fine.

They usually open their eyes around 10 days. If they aren't by day 12, moisten a cloth and moisten thier eyes and gently pull them open. If you don't, they have the possability of blindness and/or major eye problems.

I've noticed that rabbits that are left by themselves and get little to no attention are more skittish and scared than those that are messed with alot. My sister got a meat breeder doe from a man that just used them for breeding and she was extremly scared and would flip out when you walked past her, but after being petted in her cage alot and socialized she is much better.

 

[mekasmom]

If your Momma doe is flighty and fearful, then don't handle them early. She will kill them if she gets too upset. If she were a calm rabbit, then early touching is fine. But fearful, skittish does will sometimes cannibalize their bunnies. I have some does that I touch the nest from the beginning. But others, I don't touch until they are three weeks old or more. I just don't trust skittish does.

 

[Swamp Roo]

Thanks. Seeing how she is a bit high strung, I'll wait till they are about two weeks old. She is not that defensive, just scared. I'll continue to move the bedding and check up on them without touching them till then.

Swamp