Baby Rabbits

[Mattiegabco1]

My rabbit (cherry) has been having babies and not feeding them. I was told to feed the kitten milk replacer or goat milk replacer. It didn't work very well so... I was wandering if I could get some feedback on what to feed newborn babies that do not have a mother that will feed them. Thanks so much!

~ Mattigabco1

 

[wendymac]

How old is the doe? How many litters has she had? I try to breed at least 2 does at the same time, so the other one can foster if need be. If she's had a couple of litters, and hasn't taken care for them, then I probably would stop breeding her. Most breeders have a "three strikes and you're out" policy.

 

[fantaysah]

I have heard more than one person recommend goat milk .. are you sure she's nor feeding them? Rabbits only nurse a few times a day I've even heard of nursing once a day and they make it. Over feeding could be just as bad as starving.maybe someone with experience can let us know how to tell if their belly is empty?

 

[Mattiegabco1]

The mother rabbit is about 3 years old and the father is also 3 years old and they have had 4 litters. The mother fed the first 2 litters and then stopped feeding the 3rd and 4th litters about a week in and they died.

 

[wendymac]

Are you sure they died from not eating? It sounds like maybe something else is going on. They wouldn't make it to a week without being fed. Do you sanitize all the nest boxes, cages, waterers, etc? Maybe, at 3, she's done producing.

 

[Mattiegabco1]

Yes, we clean it out befor and after. Maybe she is done.

 

[Nancy McClelland]

Sounds like it's time to retire her.

 

[Mattiegabco1]

I guess so.... When my other bunnies have babies and are a few weeks old I'm gonna let her play with them. She loves babies!