foster had er babies

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bat42072

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Foster had her babies last night...(they were not planned)... she had 6 all fat and cozy warm... 1 will be wight like her... 4 broken like dad and 1 will be dark (probably black).... How many times should I check on them a day... I saw it once on here but I can't remember and Idon't want to stress foster out.... Though she handled me checking on them this morning really well.... another question.. she only pulled a little bit of fur and i am wondering if that would be ok at keeping them warm?

Becky
 
Sounds like she had a nice easy birth, congrats!

I like to check on new litters at least once a day. You can give the mom a treat to keep her occupied if she seems bothered by you looking in her nest. I pick each baby up and check for full tummies. They should look big and round, like they swallowed a ping-pong ball. When they are first born, you can see the yellowish milk through their skin! Really wrinkly skin and sucked in tummies means they might not be getting enough to eat.

Is there anything else in the nest box with the babies besides the fur the mom has pulled? If not, I'd add some hay, make a 'hole' in the center of the pile of hay. Move the fur into the hole and add the babies. The babies will regulate their temperatures by moving deeper into the nest if they are cold, or coming up on top of the fur and hay if they are warm. If you are concerned that there still isn't enough fur, and momma bunny is willing, you can gently pluck some from her. Often right now, the fur on her belly and sides will almost fall out with a gentle tug. If this upsets the mom, don't stress her out. Strips of paper towels are a decent substitute. Don't use cloth, though, the babies may get caught up in it.

Good luck! Share pictures! :D
 
I check babies once or twice a day. Take each baby out and check for full tummies and cleanliness (no poo stuck to bums).

If mom is not stressed out by you checking the babies, then check them as often as you feel comfortable.

As for fur, how long has it been since she gave birth? Often rabbits will keep pulling fur for 12-24 hours after birth.

I agree with Clarzoo, try plucking some of moms fur if she'll let you. Make a nice nest in a box with lots of hay, fist sized hole down the middle. As an alternative to fur, I have seen people use clean cotton balls, just pull them apart a little bit.

--Dawn
 
the babies seem to be doing ok... Foster doesn't seem tomind me messing with them... is it normal for her to want to leave her cage and go lay under my futon while i am cleaning her cage? I figured that she would rather stay and keep an eye on her babies but she doesn't care... they are really nice size babies...and they look like they will be cute when they get older...well ok all rabbits are cute and maybe i am a little prejudice with my new babies...lol...I guess i spoiled momma theese last few days with rubbing her belly.... she was trying to get into my bed when i cleaned out her cage...

thank you both for your advice.... I will post pics as soon as I can.... I want to give her a few days.....
 
It is normal for mom to "ignore" her babies. In the wild it is a defense mechanism. Babies don't have much of an odour, so with mom not around to attract predators the babies have a good chance of survival. She will normally stay within watching distance, but across the room is certainly close enough for her to watch her babes.

When the babies are older and hopping around, you will see mom playing and cuddling with the babies a lot more.

I can't wait for pictures!

--Dawn
 
she actually leaves the room ... I had to go find her in the other room... she was visiting with my pomeranian( who has 2 week old puppies)... they looked like they were talking about motherhood...lOl
 
Update: foster did pull out more fur last she last night... she is also being more protective of her babies...she boxed my hand when i got her food bowl... and after I checked her babies she went to check on them... all of her babies are fat and seems to be healthy...

thank you clarzoo and dawn...I really apreciate your advice and I am not so nervous about the babies today as i as yesterday....
 
It sounds like she is settling nicely in motherhood! Do the babies have nice fat bellies after she is done feeding them?



If she seems upset now that you are handling her babies, give her a special treat that she loves, but will only get when you mess with the babies. She may soon begin looking forward to seeing you going towards her nest box!
 
yes their bellies are round after she feeds tem... she is handleing me messing with her babies ... i do give her a slice of banana when i go to check them als that is when i let her get out to run around and she doesn't seem to mind... she does however go check on the babies when i am done.... i think she is being a good mom
 
here are pics( i am sorry that pics are so big)

babybunnies003.jpg


babybunnies002.jpg


my fav...

babybunnies001.jpg


his front paws are white and on one back paw his toes are white and he has a little bit of white on his chin... i will post more pics soon
 
Oh, how cute!! I miss having pink little baby bunnies to cuddle. Congrats to you and momma for doing so well with them!:bouquet:
 
OH NO! You have brokens....

Must.....have.....pictures......on a regular basis.

I LOVE brokens!

Peg


bat42072 wrote:
here are pics( i am sorry that pics are so big)

babybunnies003.jpg


babybunnies002.jpg
 
My rabbit gave birth twice. On april 14th, she gave birth to two rabbits but they came out dead. Then as of April 16th she gave birth again. idk wtf is going on. She had three . there all alive but one was kicked out the nest. Should I just foster all three.
 
This is a very old thread. It’s best to start a new topic. Does don’t really kick babies out of the nest. If they’re in a nestbox with sides then the kit was probably pulled out of the box because it didn’t let go after the doe finished nursing. I would put it back in.

The two born two days earlier may have been born prematurely...they were stillborn.
 

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