Hens and Roos
Herd Master
I'm with you...ready for spring! 
Cold weather for new litter
- Thread starter VickieB
- Start date
nstone630
True BYH Addict
I'm having the same issue sith the babis. Mom had her litter last nright went out today, the felt froze!! Not moving and freezing to the touch. But I brought them into oor outside shop and put a heat lamp on them. 5 revived, lost 3. Put them back out with mom, hoping she accepts them. With the heat lamp attached to the outside of their cage. I don't think theyll get too hot. I'm probably going to skip winter breeding next year.
- Thread starter
- #13
VickieB
Loving the herd life
My babies are now 2 weeks, and the weather has been really nice the last couple of days. The forecast is looking good for the rest of this week too. I took the babies out to their mom yesterday and they've transitioned really well.
P.O. in MO
Overrun with beasties
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Hey VickieB, glad to hear your babies are doing ok. I hope the weather holds for a while and the last of the bitter is over but still January so probably not. Sorry nstone360 lost 3 but at least 5 made it. I would think that the mother will accept them since other people have brought the rabbits in from the cold and just taken them back out to feed. I have one due in 10 days and she has been carrying hay around today so I think she is going to come through. This one hasn't let me down so far. I have another due the 26th and this will be her first litter after having bred her once before without success. This may be her last chance, she is a mean one.
Hens and Roos
Herd Master
VickieB- glad to hear that your babies and mom are doing good!
P.O. in Mo- good luck with your upcoming litters- mean ones are no fun to deal with that's for sure. We have 2 does that swipe at us from time to time especially when they are expecting litters.
P.O. in Mo- good luck with your upcoming litters- mean ones are no fun to deal with that's for sure. We have 2 does that swipe at us from time to time especially when they are expecting litters.
Anniewho6
Chillin' with the herd
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- Jan 17, 2014
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Hi Vickie,
I'm a new breeder and my New Zeland White had her first litter Jan 9th. It happened to be the first cold days here in FL. Temps about 32.
I was quite worried about her staying out side and moved her into my shed in a carry cage with her box and added a heater. I was lucky and she had 3 very large babies. It was her first litter so I wasn't expecting a big batch. I was just happy they all lived.
Once that cold spell left us I put her and her babies outside and she has done very well since.
I have been worried again since our weather has been changing almost every day. This past week we have highs of 65 and lows of 30s. I let her and the babies stay outside and so far they are ok.
This morning I was worried and checked the babies and they didn't feel as warm as usual. They are alive and active just not as warm.
I am debating putting her back in the shed. It get's very messy but I don't want my babies to die.
I was wondering would it be ok to bring the babies box inside and leave the mother outside, then bring the babies back to her first thing in the morning when the temps are not freezing? We are supposed to get this same wacky weather for a couple more days/nights.
Thanks
Ann
I'm a new breeder and my New Zeland White had her first litter Jan 9th. It happened to be the first cold days here in FL. Temps about 32.
I was quite worried about her staying out side and moved her into my shed in a carry cage with her box and added a heater. I was lucky and she had 3 very large babies. It was her first litter so I wasn't expecting a big batch. I was just happy they all lived.
Once that cold spell left us I put her and her babies outside and she has done very well since.
I have been worried again since our weather has been changing almost every day. This past week we have highs of 65 and lows of 30s. I let her and the babies stay outside and so far they are ok.
This morning I was worried and checked the babies and they didn't feel as warm as usual. They are alive and active just not as warm.
I am debating putting her back in the shed. It get's very messy but I don't want my babies to die.
I was wondering would it be ok to bring the babies box inside and leave the mother outside, then bring the babies back to her first thing in the morning when the temps are not freezing? We are supposed to get this same wacky weather for a couple more days/nights.
Thanks
Ann
- Thread starter
- #17
VickieB
Loving the herd life
Ann, I think that would work well. I kept mine in for 2 weeks and never took them out; I brought the mom in to them 2x a day. These babies are now 3 weeks old, and I weighed them for the first time today. They are VERY small for their age. I don't know if that's because they are a first litter, or if it's because I kept them inside for 2 weeks. It's probably a combination of both.
Anniewho6
Chillin' with the herd
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Thanks Vicky,
I made a better set up in the shed yesterday with the help of my husband. They are all doing good inside the shed. The clean up will be at least better than what we had a week ago when she delivered.
Our Shed used to be my oldest sons room. It has flooring/ac/and insulated walls. So keeping it clean was why was concerned about the mess.
Imagine a carry cage with no bottom to catch the droppings.. That was last week with towels as a bottom and did not work out. I just couldn't risk her delivery out in the cold and made the mess anyways.. lol
It's good knowing If needed I can try your method of bringing just the babies inside and bringing to the mother 2x's a day. Thanks for your response.
I am ready for my Florida sunshine to return!
Ann
I made a better set up in the shed yesterday with the help of my husband. They are all doing good inside the shed. The clean up will be at least better than what we had a week ago when she delivered.
Our Shed used to be my oldest sons room. It has flooring/ac/and insulated walls. So keeping it clean was why was concerned about the mess.
Imagine a carry cage with no bottom to catch the droppings.. That was last week with towels as a bottom and did not work out. I just couldn't risk her delivery out in the cold and made the mess anyways.. lol
It's good knowing If needed I can try your method of bringing just the babies inside and bringing to the mother 2x's a day. Thanks for your response.
I am ready for my Florida sunshine to return!
Ann
- Thread starter
- #19
VickieB
Loving the herd life
Oh Ann, I am so ready for the spring! I had a doe kindle 12 babies 4 days ago, and it's supposed to get bitter cold tonight. I always feel bad for the little guys when it does. My cages are up against the house and are covered, but it still gets awful cold out there. I told myself I would NEVER complain about having to take out frozen water bottles again...
