My wife and I are new lionhead rabbit breeders - or are trying to be. We have a doe that has kindled Thursday (Jan 4th). She had 7. We are not sure her milk is in yet. Can someone answer when does the doe usually has her milk come in? Does it come in gradually or should there be a noticible and obvious swelling in the milk glands at birth? We have other does that have had no problems and can\'t remember or didn\'t notice this. Also, the kits look a little thin but are warm alive and wiggly.
Thanks,
Keith Webb
The doe\'s milk usually comes in sometime around the third day post kindling. (Before that she secretes mostly colostrum which is vital to the kits\' health.) Some does seem to start producing a lot right away, but in the long run, I have found the kits of the slower starters seem to catch up and grow fine.
Does don\'t usually have noticably swollen mammary gland as do some other mammals (though some are more copious producers of milk than others). Make sure the doe has a constant supply of water and an adequate diet. I like to supplement my does with a tsp or so of Animax (CalfManna, Manna Mar, Calf Builder, or similar).
If the kits are warm, have good color, and are lively, they are probably doing OK. Hopefully you will start to see evidence of milk production (full, round tummies) by tomorrow.
Good luck.
Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com
Thanks for the info. There is nothing sadder than a hungry shrivled hairless baby bunny. lol My wife and I had even thought about trying other nursing does to help her out if there was a problem, especially since there were seven kits and she is a young doe. In the end, we elected to give her a chance and let her and nature do the work. Too often we end up putting our noses (eager but with good intentions) into it...only to make things worse.
I\'ll post again if concerns persist.
Thanks again.
Keith Webb