Help-abandoned litter - update / video page 3

[Roll farms]

I've found a few dead litters from new moms...but this morning I found 8 kits - 2 dead - 1 half-eaten, 1 cold / chewed up a bit, and 6 live.

She barely pulled any fur, they were scattered around the nest box, and half weren't cleaned off well. All were getting cold.

I thawed some goat colostrum and gave ea. about 1/2 cc. They are warming up now in the chick room.

Now what?

Can I try putting them back in w/ Mom and see what she does? Should I hold mom down and let them nurse from her when DH gets home / can help me?

If I keep trying to feed them myself, how much / how often?

Thanks.....

 

[sawfish99]

I would try putting them back in with momma. If she starts to attack them, you don't have a choice but to remove (and I would cull the mom at that point).
I'm not sure about the answer on how often to feed if trying to raise away from momma. I've never tried it.

 

[redtailgal]

How are they doing?

I've never had domestic bunnies.

In the past, I've reared wild babies by feeding them twice a day with a dropper, until their bellies are slightly rounded. I used a can of kitten formula, and was sure to use a warm damp paper towel on their peritoneal area so they'd pee/poop. Warm dark place until the eyes open. I laid them on lamb's wool to simulate a nest.

I had only a 50% success rate though. Baby bunnies are tough to hand rear.

 

[Roll farms]

We ended up finding another one after DH got home and removed her nest box.

We flipped mama over, pulled fur from her nipples so babies could find them, then let ea. nurse for 5 minutes.
They'll have to settle for goat's milk (the universal replacer - better than any store-bought formula) in the am feedings, since I can't handle her mean self and the 6 wiggly kits by myself.

A friend has 3 rabbits due in the next 3 days, says if they're small litters we can 'sneak' these guys in under them. *whew*

I know wild rabbits are hard to raise, been there / done that..... but she (who has 50 or so breeding females) says domestics are a lot easier.

We've always either had good mamas or found them dead. It's not in me to leave anything alive in w/ a mean mama and 'wait and see'.

 

[ThreeBoysChicks]

I have no experience or advice, but I will good luck. If anyone can pull this off, you can

 

[autumnprairie]

good luck

 

[redtailgal]

It's not in me to leave anything alive in w/ a mean mama and 'wait and see'.

I know nothing about domestic rabbits.........but I couldnt do that either.

I hope the surrogate moms work out for ya.

 

[DianeS]

A friend has 3 rabbits due in the next 3 days, says if they're small litters we can 'sneak' these guys in under them. *whew*

I hope that works out! Soooo much easier to have them fostered to rabbits than to try to replace mom by yourself. Keep us posted!

 

[popcornchicken]

Good Luck!!! I've gotta a couple of momma's w/ kits, but they're 9 & 10 days old not sure if they'd make it w/ them or not. - Call me!!!

I know this is hindsight, but good info for rabbit people: When breeding rabbits, breed a couple does to kindle (give birth) on the same day, so you can foster kits as needed due to poor mothering skills like this, or a large litter that needs split up, or any other complication that might come up.

 

[Hens and Roos]

Good Luck !