New mini rex litter..advice needed

[parkersmom120106]

Well..so far so good on the last 2. I've been keeping them under the heat lamp. They're both still alive, have grown and are starting to get a little more fur. They appear as if they're getting fed. They are sleeping calmly and their skin is tight like they're hydrated. I haven't seen really rounded bellies, but I check late in the morning so I probably miss it. Looks like Ruby's baby is going to be red booted like her mom..there's reddish fur on the body and the legs are pink. Jana's baby I'm not sure. It's fur is a light bluish, silvery, skin is pink. Jana is an Opal and the father of both is blue. I know we're not out of the woods yet, but I'm feeling better about it!

 

[Bunnylady]

A doe's milk doesn't really come in until about day 3. With a first time doe especially, the babies will often seem to be just barely getting enough for the first couple of days. If the kits are growing and don't look hollow and empty, she's doing her job. Probably tomorrow, you'll suddenly notice that they look like they've swallowed white marbles! I'm rootin' for ya!

 

[dbunni]

6 isn't a big litter and one doe should be able to feed them with no problem so I wouldn't worry about that if you need to add the 3 to the other litter. My smallest litter has been 5, largest was 11.

I've read that some will put vanilla on the doe or kit and others say it's not necessary. It depends on the doe I guess but it wouldn't hurt to rub the foster moms hair on them.

Let us all remember that every breed has a different "normal" for litters. For a Mini Rex, 6 is a big litter. For a NZ or EA, 6 is a small litter. Smaller breeds often have smaller litters ... we have worked with several smaller/dwarf breeds (MR, HL, Thriants, AFL) and the average size of litter was 4. A litter of 2-3 was very normal. Rarely did we see a litter over 4. Personally, I would not push a large litter on a MR, but this is just my opinion. Encourage new mom's to do their mommy thing!

 

[terri9630]

6 isn't a big litter and one doe should be able to feed them with no problem so I wouldn't worry about that if you need to add the 3 to the other litter. My smallest litter has been 5, largest was 11.

I've read that some will put vanilla on the doe or kit and others say it's not necessary. It depends on the doe I guess but it wouldn't hurt to rub the foster moms hair on them.

Let us all remember that every breed has a different "normal" for litters. For a Mini Rex, 6 is a big litter. For a NZ or EA, 6 is a small litter. Smaller breeds often have smaller litters ... we have worked with several smaller/dwarf breeds (MR, HL, Thriants, AFL) and the average size of litter was 4. A litter of 2-3 was very normal. Rarely did we see a litter over 4. Personally, I would not push a large litter on a MR, but this is just my opinion. Encourage new mom's to do their mommy thing!

My friends mini rex has had 2 litters of 7 and one of 8.

 

[parkersmom120106]

Another update..the last 2 babies are still alive and seem to be thriving. They both have grown and are getting more hair in. They also both have big round tummies today, so they are getting fed. Mama Jana is getting alfalfa hay and strawberries as treats and lots of lovin for being a good mama! I've been keeping the heat lamp going all the time so they don't get chilled. How long should I keep it on? I was thinking til their a couple weeks old and have their eyes opened and more fur.

 

[parkersmom120106]

Here is a picture of the babies with their nice full bellies! The one on the bottom looks like she'll be red to me. I have no idea about the one on top. Any ideas? I know it's hard to see his/her color in the picture. The mama to that one is either opal or blue otter. There's a picture of her there too because I'm not positive what her color is called.