How many times should I force feed my baby rabbits?

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SydneyHasBunnies

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My little bunny autumn has become a mother of one as of yesterday. When I woke up, I realized that she didn’t feed her baby so we opted on turning the mother over and letting the baby eat. My concern is I don’t know when to stop the feeding and how many times a day I need to do it.
 
What made you think she hadn’t fed the baby? They only feed twice a day and then only for a short period, so you may not see her doing it.
 
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It can take up to 48h for the milk to drop and the doe feeding the kits, and then only twice a day for a few minutes - some does do not go near the nest as long as they feel being watched. It's very rare that I see one of my does nursing.

As for flipping the doe...
I put a towel on my lap, sit on a chair, kits between my legs, and put the doe on top - so I can cover her face or pet her with one hand to keep her calm and hold her with the other, keeping her hind feet well away from the kits. Mine would be totally stressed out when I would flip them, and they would kill everything in reach with their claws, they are not used to being handled much.
 
It can take up to 48h for the milk to drop and the doe feeding the kits, and then only twice a day for a few minutes - some does do not go near the nest as long as they feel being watched. It's very rare that I see one of my does nursing.

As for flipping the doe...
I put a towel on my lap, sit on a chair, kits between my legs, and put the doe on top - so I can cover her face or pet her with one hand to keep her calm and hold her with the other, keeping her hind feet well away from the kits. Mine would be totally stressed out when I would flip them, and they would kill everything in reach with their claws, they are not used to being handled much.
My rabbit does not like to be handled at all but for some reason when I flipped her to feed, she was really calm and actually fell asleep on me while the little baby was feeding. I’m going to try to do your method if I continue to see that the baby doesn’t have a round tummy.
 
What made you realise she hadn’t fed the baby? They only feed twice a day and then only for a short period, so you may not see her doing it.
The baby’s tummy was flat and wrinkly when it is supposed to be round and smooth. Atleast that’s what all my research said.
 
Well, if your method works with your doe I would stick to it, no point in fixing something that works.
 
There might’ve been a delay in her milk coming in. If she’s a first timer she might’ve not known what to do. You might wait a bit and give her a chance to nurse the kit on her own. If she doesn’t then keep doing what your doing. If she does, that makes it easier on you.
 
There might’ve been a delay in her milk coming in. If she’s a first timer she might’ve not known what to do. You might wait a bit and give her a chance to nurse the kit on her own. If she doesn’t then keep doing what your doing. If she does, that makes it easier on you.
She started nursing the first time I showed her what to do now the baby is all fat and warm :)
 

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