Bad New Momma Rabbit. Am I doing all I can?

[Snowfie]

I expect ALL first time moms to fail one way or another. I wouldn't try helping them along to much until the next go around. Not saying that all will be bad, but a lot of them just have no idea what's going on.

There's a lot to be said with where you get your rabbits too. Daughters tend to turn into their mothers. I got my Californian doe from a nationally competing show breeder. she was young and had never been bred but she did everything perfectly on her first litter. I really could not have asked for better.

When buying your does, especially young unproven does, it's worth asking the breeder what kind of mother their mother was because those traits often get passed down.

 

[WorthItFarms]

Well, I have three sisters, the first had a large litter, none dead, perfect mom (mean to other rabbits, indifferent to people). This one - who has always been submissive and skittish, doesn't hate them just isn't sure what to do. I flipped her and let them nurse last night. No idea if they got any milk, but they gave up after about 20-30 mins either way. The third sister is due any time now and was digging up a storm yesterday. What should I expect from her? She's usually people-friendly and though dominant over her skittish sister, also loves on her a lot.

 

[oneacrefarm]

Well, I have three sisters, the first had a large litter, none dead, perfect mom (mean to other rabbits, indifferent to people). This one - who has always been submissive and skittish, doesn't hate them just isn't sure what to do. I flipped her and let them nurse last night. No idea if they got any milk, but they gave up after about 20-30 mins either way. The third sister is due any time now and was digging up a storm yesterday. What should I expect from her? She's usually people-friendly and though dominant over her skittish sister, also loves on her a lot.

More than likely, it just took her by surprise. I have one that had them in the nest but pulled no fur. It was like she said, "OMG...what are THOSE? and WHERE did they come from?" They all chilled and died before I found them. She is pregnant again and hopefully this time will be better. Her sister did the same, except I found them in time but then she would not feed them and they all died. The third sister, the least friendly of the three, made a nest, pulled fur, had them in the nest, cleaned them, fed them, covered them and has been a perfect mom for her first litter. So, you just never know...they all three come from a a doe that is an incredible mom.