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Help...
- Thread starter Aleida
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BlessedWithGoats
Herd Master
I'm so sorry. 
Tale of Tails Rabbitry
Loving the herd life
Sorry for your loss.
In the seven years we have been breeding rabbits, I only have caught any of my does nursing about five times in total.
It could have been that the doe did not nurse them, but since a doe's milk does not really come in for about two days, I think it would not be that. Once her milk came in, I think she would have the urge to allow them to nurse.
I am not saying this was the cause but certainly a possibility: If the kits were just slightly under the temperature they need to be, they can live for quite awhile but then die.
In the seven years we have been breeding rabbits, I only have caught any of my does nursing about five times in total.
It could have been that the doe did not nurse them, but since a doe's milk does not really come in for about two days, I think it would not be that. Once her milk came in, I think she would have the urge to allow them to nurse.
I am not saying this was the cause but certainly a possibility: If the kits were just slightly under the temperature they need to be, they can live for quite awhile but then die.
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mystang89
True BYH Addict
Sorry to hear about your loss. I would give her another chance, maybe another after that depending on how she did then. If she did no better I would stop breeding her.
Lisellev
Exploring the pasture
Hi,
I don't have time to read all of the replies but wanted to share (in case others haven't already) that the mama's only feed their babies once a day, at night. They will hide them the rest of the time. Just be certain that if you have some sort of house in the cage for them, it has no bott because we had the unfortunate experience of all
If our babies getting smothered accidentally by mama when she jumped into a house and the babies were under it.
Good luck!
I don't have time to read all of the replies but wanted to share (in case others haven't already) that the mama's only feed their babies once a day, at night. They will hide them the rest of the time. Just be certain that if you have some sort of house in the cage for them, it has no bott because we had the unfortunate experience of all
If our babies getting smothered accidentally by mama when she jumped into a house and the babies were under it.
Good luck!
sfgwife
Chillin' with the herd
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If this happens again.... figure out which lady had the kits, pull fur from her belly... it will not hurt her to do this and pull a lot. Or pick up the fur she has pulled all over and use that too. We have two mamas that nearly bare their bellies for babies. No matter how hot it is.... when it is cold they just dont cover them up as much on top as when it is cold. Those babies got cold. You can line the bottom of the box or hole whatever with hay then put fur in there makin like a small bowl then babies on top and cover them lightly with the fur. If after two days you dont see round bellies... put the mama over the babies and they will try nurse. Baby buns turn over on their backs to nurse as mama stands over them. You may need do this for a day or so til mama gets the hang of oh these are mine and i need do this. Even before her milk comes in their bellies should not look flat and sunken in they just wont be round full bellies. If they do look flat and the babies go crazy hoppy when you get near put mama over them... those babies need colostrum that mama has before her milk comes in. If you move the babies to a nest box... just lock mama with food and water in a cage with them for a few days. This is if you are doin colony raising and not already doin cages. Sometimes new mamas just dont realize hey these are mine.
I just scrolled quickly through the replies your post...I may repeat something someone else said just because I want this to be clear and concise. Moms only feed their kits about 1-2 times a day, and they may not feed them the first day if they are 1st timers. If they have been fed you can see the milk in their bellies right through their plump smooth skin! If not they would look wrinkled and slim. They will possibly be much more active seeking that first feed desperately....but not if they're already chilled! Mom may not like you messing with them but you have to remove the nest box and count babies, disposing of any dead,..first put in your pocket and then in a ziplock baggie floated in very warm water say 130-140 degrees to see if they revive. If mom has not pulled wool this is why you save the excess wool in the summer. If you didn't have it to save you can flip mom and pull tiny pinches of wool from around her nipples making it easier for them to nurse. If she has nursed the oxytocin milk letdown seems to also release the fur/hair/ wool making it easier to pull wool. First timers and more experienced moms may get confused as they're trimming that umbilical cord and keep eating the baby' s belly, or even all but the head...or even the head too. This may be due to first time mom inexperience, or due to vermin or other pests/predators disturbing the mom during this time. If you have any doubts about her mothering ability then bring the nest into the house and secure it where nothing can get them...once you've fed them and lined their nest. Just take the box to her twice a day. Or bring her to the nest. To feed the first time or two...You can pet the mom and then turn her onto your lap, petting her till she's calm, then place your arm(long sleeves!) on her belly blocking her back legs from kicking with a bit of pressure against the front of the curve of the hind leg as you place kits on the mom's belly to nurse. They may or may not need direction but try to also surround the belly so they can't fall off and hurt themselves. They will also hop out of the nest when they get too hungry. Make sure your nest has at least a four inch high wall and best is a hole in the top of a nest ...not the usual kind of rabbit nest box but really more species appropriate. Keep all speaking in calm shushed voice and don't feel nervous as you will communicate that to her and make her nervous. We have had moms eat their litter, rescued one or two from her and then had her turn around and be an excellent mom and one even fostered four litters all summer long her first kindling ...after the neighbors scared her and her litter by running three or four mowing equipment/machines too close and all at once.
I hope this helps and feel free to contact me if you have any questions or I left something out.
Ridgetop
Herd Master
Everyone was talking about cold which is a quick killer of newborn kits. However, I have lost a lot of kits to heat too. You said that it was really hot in your area so maybe they overheated and died. If you don't have a warm nest, a metal bowl shaped utility light with a 100 watt bulb can be suspended over the cage or even set on the top of the cage to keep the its warm. However, I have uncovered kits in the summer (and also in winter heat spells here in So Cal when we can have a sudden flair of 90 to 100 degree temps) in order to keep them from overheating.
You had 2 rabbits - did you know which had the kits? Were you able to separate the 2 rabbits. Some does, especially new moms, will be upset with having a 2nd rabbit in the cage.
You also did not mention if the kits made any noises. Kits in distress from cold or hunger make tiny squeaking noises. These squeaks are indicative of potential death.
You will rarely see the doe in the nest unless she is worried about the kit and jumps into the nest box. Otherwise, they usually only feed the kits at night.
A nest box is important since the doe does not carry her kits or gather them into the nest like a dog or cat. The kits will wander blindly trying to find the warmth of the next and the other kits. We switched out all doe cages for cages with babysaver wire since occasionally a new mom or one disturbed by predators will kindle "on the wire". The wire spacing is large enough for newborn kits to get through the cage and fall into the manure pit below. I actually recovered almost a whole litter that survived by falling into the manure pit which kept them warm!
Keep all extra fur for use with does that do not pull hair. I store mine in either a coffee can with a lid or a Ziploc bag. Some does pull themselves bald and others hardly pull anything. Always collect clean fur - dirty hair with blood or muck will cause health problems to new kits.
You will be prepared next time and have many successful litters in the future.
You had 2 rabbits - did you know which had the kits? Were you able to separate the 2 rabbits. Some does, especially new moms, will be upset with having a 2nd rabbit in the cage.
You also did not mention if the kits made any noises. Kits in distress from cold or hunger make tiny squeaking noises. These squeaks are indicative of potential death.
You will rarely see the doe in the nest unless she is worried about the kit and jumps into the nest box. Otherwise, they usually only feed the kits at night.
A nest box is important since the doe does not carry her kits or gather them into the nest like a dog or cat. The kits will wander blindly trying to find the warmth of the next and the other kits. We switched out all doe cages for cages with babysaver wire since occasionally a new mom or one disturbed by predators will kindle "on the wire". The wire spacing is large enough for newborn kits to get through the cage and fall into the manure pit below. I actually recovered almost a whole litter that survived by falling into the manure pit which kept them warm!
Keep all extra fur for use with does that do not pull hair. I store mine in either a coffee can with a lid or a Ziploc bag. Some does pull themselves bald and others hardly pull anything. Always collect clean fur - dirty hair with blood or muck will cause health problems to new kits.
You will be prepared next time and have many successful litters in the future.
Pastor Dave
Herd Master
New Mamas often do much better with second kindle because they are learning too. You can go with a three strikes rule, but I wouldn't consider this past experience Strike 1. With things you have learned abd things she is learning, it will be successful soon!
