Hi guys! Our rabbit, Dori, had a litter of six on Sunday. This is our first experience with baby rabbits. All is going well so far, but I read online somewhere that between the 14th day and two months of their lives, there is an increase in death rate because they can develop intestine problems during this stage. It said that most rabbit owners will put some terramycin in their water at this time to increase their chances of living. I was wondering if this is true and if any of you have done this. Is this something I should do when they reach 14 days? Thanks a bunch! :-)
Sincerely, Heather
I have to say...I USED to do a LOT of things, but I have not, for years, put anything in the water of my does with litters unless there is an ACTIVE disease event ocurring. I have had excellent survival rates and low to zero mortality.
Though enteritis in varying types appears to be caused by an overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria in the gut of the animal, there is good evidence that shows this actually may be occurring in diets that are too low in fiber (a good reason to add grass hay 2 to 3 times/week) or overeating in response to irregular feeding or a sudden cold snap, which results in a carbohydrate overload in the gut creating a friendly environment for unfriendly bacteria.
Your bunnies should be fine if: 1) the cage floor is clean, 2) they have constant access to clean water, 3) adequate fiber is present, 4) no sudden feed changes occur.
When I wean bunnies, I make sure they have hay on that day. Adding 20% of old-fashioned oats to the pellets for about 3 days is also a good idea.
Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com
Thank you!!! :-) I always keep hay around. I have guinea pigs, too, so I always make sure all the pets get a round of fresh hay daily and have clean environments. I\'ll try the oats, too. Thanks for the advice. I feel more confident now. :-D
If you give them terramycin or any medicated item -you are not giving their systems a chance to fight off stuff on its own and build their immune system. I raise chickens and unless there is a problem -then less is better. Never thought to give it to the rabbits but then again, as long as they are healthy -no reason.
Congratulations on that first litter! They are so much fun to watch develop -its almost daily you can see the difference.
Yeah, that\'s what makes more sense to me. To not treat something unless it\'s there. Yes the baby bunnies do seem to look more like rabbits every day! At only four days old, they look soooo different from the first day! I\'m so experienced with guinea pig births and them little guys just come out bright-eyed and furry, ready to run around and even eat solids, so this is a whole new world for me! It\'s been an exciting experience for us. :-)
Oooh -never had baby g. pigs. Had plenty of guinea pigs -but only one at a time. Harder to produce that way!
Good Luck with those kits!
I never medicate rabbits that are not sick.bluebird
hi, listen my rabbit also had babies for the first time. i was also scare at first. on\'t worry about it just let her do her stuff, just put fresh food and water (i also gave her lots of hay and lettuce she is use to eating lettuce). i started handeling the babies the first day they were born just to make sure tey were ok. they just turn three week old yesturday monday. here are some pic so you to see how fast they throw.
CUTE!!! Mine are growing fast, too. Nine days old today. I am looking forward to their eyes opening soon. I don\'t plan on giving them any of that terramycin stuff. I didn\'t really want to anyway. It sounds kinda harsh when it\'s for no reason. I just plan a giving them a little extra fiber in their diets during that time. I always keep hay in there, anyway. I can tell the bunnies are coming along very well. They\'re so precious. I love them. :-)