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new babies
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11-27-2006, 05:24 AM
(This post was last modified: 11-27-2006 05:25 AM by spideysredhead.)
Post: #1
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new babies
Okay I\'m sorry to bug everyone again, but we\'ve got a repeat. Our Mama just had her second litter. I think she may be rejecting these though. She is in the hutch with her previous 10 babies and those babies are eating on their own and out of the nest completely. The new littler just happened overnight, but the momma didn\'t make a nest, she didn\'t pull anymore fur out for the nest, but the new babies(unfortunately 10 again for now) are in the straw and bundled together. Are the older babies ready to be given away yet, they are about 5 weeks old? Will she reject her new litter because of the older littler? Thanks everyone!
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11-27-2006, 06:26 AM
Post: #2
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RE: new babies
OK...The older kits are fine to be separated from the doe. I don\'t recommend giving them away until they have been on their own for at least a week. Get a separate cage.
The doe may or may not care for the new litter. I hope you keep her away from the buck this time or you will be repeating this scenario again. I recommend that you think through your rabbit venture. If this is a pet quality animal you should get her (and the buck) neutered. The cycle of unwanted/unplanned litters is detrimental to your rabbit and any future offspring. Charlcie Gill Zodiac Rabbitry Astoria, OR http://www.zodiacsatins.com |
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11-27-2006, 08:43 AM
(This post was last modified: 11-27-2006 08:46 AM by spideysredhead.)
Post: #3
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RE: new babies
The buck is in his own hutch, and the doe and the babies are in the 2nd hutch. Would it be okay to seperate the males from females out of my first litter, and keep my males with the older buck or will they fight? I\'ve kept my momma in the seperate hutch since we discovered the first litter, so this will be the last. I was expecting this litter but I didn\'t think she\'d have another 11 kits. She seems to be caring for them whenever I go over there she checks on her babies, and she acted like this with the last litter. I\'m just worried because she didn\'t pull fur for her nest like the last time. We only have 2 hutches and aren\'t planning any more babies, but we will keep 2 hutches. I already have homes for all of my first litter, so they are ready to go as soon as they\'re ready. All have been drinking out of the water bottles and food bowls. In fact, I\'m afraid my momma is not getting her share of food because the kits are hoarding it.
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11-27-2006, 10:05 AM
Post: #4
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RE: new babies
It depends on your buck, but I\'d be concerned he would show aggression toward the kits. Afterall, they would be invading his space.
I\'ve had does that didn\'t pull fur, but did care for the kits. Hopefully this is the case here. It\'s not so much that the older kits need to learn to eat and drink. They have probably been eating on their own for about 2 weeks. The risk is in subjecting them to the stresses of separation from mom and the possibility of a sudden change in diet. That is why it is best to wait a week before they go to new homes. Newly weaned kits are more susceptible to digestive disturbances, plus the change in environment exposes them to pathogens they may not be adapted to. Regardless, they do need to be separated from mom now that she has a new litter. Charlcie Gill Zodiac Rabbitry Astoria, OR http://www.zodiacsatins.com |
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11-27-2006, 10:29 AM
(This post was last modified: 11-27-2006 10:32 AM by spideysredhead.)
Post: #5
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RE: new babies
I\'ve been keeping them in a hutch in our garage. I live in Missouri and it\'s getting into the early 30\'s at night. If I put them in the bucks hutch they would be outside, would that be too stressful for them at night? I could move my buck that would be my only choice, it\'s hard to move ten babies.
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11-27-2006, 11:03 AM
Post: #6
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RE: new babies
Outside is OK, but I would suggest that you make sure the hutch is solid on 3 sides and not exposed to any wind or precipitation.
I also recommend that you offer a good grass hay when you move the kits and mix their pellets with a ratio of 2 parts old fashioned oatmeal to 8 parts pellets. This should help condition their digestive system. Good luck. Charlcie Gill Zodiac Rabbitry Astoria, OR http://www.zodiacsatins.com |
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11-27-2006, 12:07 PM
Post: #7
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RE: new babies
Thanks for the help! The outside hutch has a half totally covered area and the other half is open. They\'ve got a lot of new hay, and I\'ve mixed the pellets and oatmeal. They seem really happy outside, hopping around and exploring. Thanks again!
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11-27-2006, 12:22 PM
Post: #8
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RE: new babies
Good luck.
 Charlcie |
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