Mama Rabbit Irritated by Kits

[MrsMarshmellow]

Okay our first time mama Cassandra's kits are 12 days old and mobile (getting out of the nesting box) and driving her crazy. Our 2nd time mama Angel is very patient. Should we worry that Cassie will hurt the kits? They seem to really be driving her crazy. Should we take them out for most of the day? Ideas?

 

[woahlookitsme]

She shouldnt hurt them. You can try giving her some outside of the cage time away from her babies maybe in the house or xpen outside. We have to remove litters from our annoyed mama at 5weeks because she just wants to be done with them.

 

[Lydia]

All of our mama's have started to get irritated with their babies by that 2 week mark or so. They think that the babies should just stay in the box, and having them suddenly mobile feels like a complete loss of control for them. I've even seen one of our mommy bunnies try to nudge one of her babies back in the box with her nose.

I agree with the suggestion of giving her some play time or room to run around outside the nesting area. It doesn't have to be too long, just long enough that she can blow off some steam and relax a bit. If she's out too long she may become agitated when you try to put her back with her babies.

Just be patient with her. Mother bunnies are extremely devoted to their babies, but like any mother they can get upset or annoyed.

 

[majorv]

That's part of the reason we leave the nestbox in the cage for awhile after their mobile. Our moms have learned they can get away from the kits by getting on top of the nestbox.