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birdlover

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I guess I'm just a worrywart at heart! Yesterday, I put away the dog crate, bunny proofed the laundry room (made sure babies can't get behind washer/drier) and let the fur babies loose. They seem to love it. However, I wasn't sure about night time. I put them in a box they couldn't get out of but mom could get in, thinking about feedings and all and took them out again this a.m. Now for the questions:

Will she still nurse them together like before? Do I need to keep them in the box until I'm sure night and morning feedings have been accomplished? Or is it catch as catch can like I see happening when I'm in there? They try to get under her when she's eating but she won't let them and I'm worried about one of the three. S/he is smaller than the other two and seems to either hang around mom (when possible) or go off alone whereas the other two hang together all the time. I tried getting mom to nurse but she was VERY uncooperative. These babies are 17 days old now and I see them nibbling the hay and dandelion leaves but don't think they are actually eating much. I guess something else I want to know is...if this little one isn't getting much nourishment from mom, will s/he get some from solid food now? Am I worrying for nothing because s/he's almost 3 weeks old? Some of you may know I already lost one at day 11 because she didn't thrive and was less than half the size of the others. I definitely do NOT want to lose another!!! Any advice would be greatly appreciated! You all have been so kind and helpful to me all along and are the reason I know ANYthing about rabbits at all! ((((BIG HUGS))))
 
If you leave them loose, they will nurse when they are hungry and Anabel is cooperative. But there is a chance that one of them may miss a feeding.

If you want to confine them, yes, she should still go looking for them and nurse them. I usually try to keep them together until they are 21 days, but it can be difficult with their eyes open, they love to explore.

My personal opinion, I wouldn't give the kids too much space to wander.It's kind of early to let anyone not get nursed. I'd try to keep them in a 30" x 30" area that mom can access when she wants to.

They are just trying out new foods. Do they have access to pellets and water? The hay is good too. (Personally speaking, I don't feed my babies any greens until they are 12-16 weeks. I limit how many new foods I introduce to their digestive systems.)

You are doing really well with this litter! It's not unusual to have one slightly smaller that others. Genetics! Never sure what you're going to get.


 

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