First of alllet me say Congrats on the new litter of kits. That\'s great news.
Mother rabbits do not spend a lot of time with their young like we are use to seeing cats and dogs do. In the wild, a rabbit hanging in one spot would draw the attention of predators to helpless babies. And rabbits do still have some of that instinct left. Most likely she is nursing after dark and early in the morning. Continue to check on the kits, and as long as they are warm and seem to ave full, round little bellies, they\'re fine.
As for putting Merlin back in with them, I\'m not sure. But I wait a few weeks at the very least.
Congrats again and good luck.
Thanks for advice - I can\'t keep away, they are adoreable and they all seem happy (24 hours) with fat little tummys.
Sam
I have to admit I\'m horribly jealous. We\'ve been waiting for this litter of kits all month only to have 3 out of 4 stillborn. And here you have 9 wonderful new babies. We have all dwarf lops. My husband would love a Flemish Giant or a French Lop. Any idea how big the babies will get? I\'ll be curious to hear as they grow.
Best wishes to your new family.
Just a quick note...
Unless you want mum to deliver another litter in a month, don\'t let Merlin back in with her. Rabbits have a post kindling receptivity to mating and conception.
Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com
Merlin weighs 15lb and Willow was about half that before - so i would guess the babes will weigh approx 12lb each. Can\'t wait for them to grow now!
Merlin is a very cool laid back bun, i think most giant breeds are if handled well initially, and Willow is bouncy and inquisitive.
I have a good colour mix i think. sorry MischeifNite.
My kids thought they were mice sharing her bed
until i got one out quickly.
oh yes - Merlin has had his magic removed by the vet - so no more hocus pocus!!!
Sam
Hi Sam,congrats for the babies.
I would like to ask you,how old is Willow?
I have two little lionhead rabbits.He is Nežko(1year,6 months),and she is Nelly(6 months).I decided to put them together once she is grown up and \"ready\",because we want the youngs too,but I am not sure what time would be the best for her.
Can you pls give me any advice?
Best wishes and good luck to youre new little hairy family
....if you have any questions abaut takeing care of the littles,look here:
http://www.rabbit.org/care/babies.html
Thank you Charlcie.
I have another question.Some day when Nelly is going to have babies(soon i hpe
),will I have to stay at home and take care of them?I know that she will do that,but will she need any help?
It is very dificult for me,because I work,and my rabbits are home alone to 16.00 pm.It would be very irresponsible to fructify my Nelly,and then I wouldn,t have time to give her and the babies the time and proper care they would need.Should I worry?,or will Nelly take care of everything,and maby I even shouldn,t interfere??
Help me pls,because this is worrying me the most.
Thx
Under normal circumstances, Nelly should be able to take care of her kits just fine herself. Your responsibility will be to provide a proper nest box on day 28 of her pregnancy and 16% protein pellets (along with a continuous supply of clean water).
I do like to give my new mothers a slice of apple each morning until the kits come out of the box (at about 3 weeks of age).
One thing you will notice, is that Nelly won\'t lay in the box with her babies the way a dog or cat might. This is normal. The doe only feeds her kits once or twice/day. You\'ll know she is taking care of the kits if they are nestled in their nest (not inclined to wander) and have full, round tummies.
Good luck.
Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com