Hens and Roos
Herd Master
Good Luck! Sounds crazy 
for you! If the babies bellies are round and full then the doe is taking care of them.
for you! If the babies bellies are round and full then the doe is taking care of them.
UPDATE - 1 with a fat belly and not moving muc
- Thread starter nstone630
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nstone630
True BYH Addict
Well, we brought her in this morning, my husband says he thinks she fed them.
BUT...this evening when I did it, she seemed to let them come to her for only a couple of minutes, then she hopped off. Is that the normal feeding time???
If not, I have the Kit Milk mixed up so that I can improvise.
BUT...this evening when I did it, she seemed to let them come to her for only a couple of minutes, then she hopped off. Is that the normal feeding time???
If not, I have the Kit Milk mixed up so that I can improvise.
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My husband is at Walmart buying a tub to bring mom in now. And he's going to pick up Kit milk just in cae mom doesn't feed. But we are going to try and bring her in to them this morning. So, 1 died over night. Apparently these little things want to be HOT, not just warm, but HOT. I had a heat lamp on the nest, and they were in the house with the heat on. 3 of them this morning were all the way at the front of the nest box where it was the hottest (I was worried too hot) and they were as cozy as ever. 1 had scooted to the back of the nest box, and he was dead this morning
Crazy morning so far. But I will keep posted.!
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- #14
nstone630
True BYH Addict
OK, another update. the 4 that we have left are doing very well. The mom will not let them feed So we have been feeding them twice a day, in the morning and at night. The 2 black ones LOVE to eat!! The white ones, they'll take it, but not thrilled. I'm just happy that I'm able to help these little guys. These ones might just make the "keep" bunch, not the meat rabbit side...they don't realize how lucky they really are Can't see myself slaughtering them after I've hand raised them and they think I'm mom.
So we have been feeding them twice a day, in the morning and at night. The 2 black ones LOVE to eat!! The white ones, they'll take it, but not thrilled. I'm just happy that I'm able to help these little guys. These ones might just make the "keep" bunch, not the meat rabbit side...they don't realize how lucky they really are Can't see myself slaughtering them after I've hand raised them and they think I'm mom.
Hens and Roos
Herd Master
Glad to hear that you are able to help them, is it possible that mom doesn't have any milk or maybe mastitis going on where it is painful to feed them?
Good Luck!
Good Luck!
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- #16
nstone630
True BYH Addict
New update...3 of the 4 are doing wonderful. There is 1that can't seem to get around and his belly is very enlarged.
We've been stimulating to go pee, and I've been peed on too many times lol
But since this morning this 1 little guy doesn't look so good. Any ideas?
We've been stimulating to go pee, and I've been peed on too many times lol
But since this morning this 1 little guy doesn't look so good. Any ideas?
Hens and Roos
Herd Master
wonder if he is full of gas?, how is his poop- formed or ???
I have read of using Simethicone infant drops to help relieve gas pressure(20 mg/ml suspension) 1-2 cc/hr for 3 doses than 1 cc every 3-8 hours.
I have read of using Simethicone infant drops to help relieve gas pressure(20 mg/ml suspension) 1-2 cc/hr for 3 doses than 1 cc every 3-8 hours.
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- #18
nstone630
True BYH Addict
He ended up dieing
But now I have another almost acting the same. I will try the droos. They are not using the bathroom much.
But now I have another almost acting the same. I will try the droos. They are not using the bathroom much.
Hens and Roos
Herd Master
so sorry to hear this 
from what I have been told it is hard to hand raise kits 
from what I have been told it is hard to hand raise kits 
jhough42
Exploring the pasture
So sorry for your tough luck. Is this the doe's very first litter? It is common for them to have little to no maternal instinct with their first ones. Don't be intimidated to breed her back right away. They are often very fertile right after kindling and it's a good time to breed a lousy first timer back to get those hormones doing what they should. Now, if she screws up with a second litter, I would seriously consider breeding her again versus eating her.
How long has it been since you last tried to let her feed them? It is completely normal for her to only be on the nest a minute or two to feed them. When she hops off, check their bellies. If they ate normally, they will be NOTICEABLY plump. Their bellies should look shiny and ready to pop. If she's producing milk, that's the best way to go. You need only bring her in the house 2-3 times a day for a minute or two to make her feed. I have also force fed a doe by turning her onto her back and setting the kits on her tummy. That lets you control her feet and the babies figure out how to eat "upside down".
It's very difficult to successfully raise bunnies by hand. I'm sorry you're having to go through this with your first litter. What breed of rabbit is your doe? Feel free to message me if you have any questions. I've been at this a while...I can always make suggestions if nothing else! Blessings!
How long has it been since you last tried to let her feed them? It is completely normal for her to only be on the nest a minute or two to feed them. When she hops off, check their bellies. If they ate normally, they will be NOTICEABLY plump. Their bellies should look shiny and ready to pop. If she's producing milk, that's the best way to go. You need only bring her in the house 2-3 times a day for a minute or two to make her feed. I have also force fed a doe by turning her onto her back and setting the kits on her tummy. That lets you control her feet and the babies figure out how to eat "upside down".
It's very difficult to successfully raise bunnies by hand. I'm sorry you're having to go through this with your first litter. What breed of rabbit is your doe? Feel free to message me if you have any questions. I've been at this a while...I can always make suggestions if nothing else! Blessings!
