My doe is rejecting her 2 week old babies (2 of them)

[Kati's Holland Lops]

Help what do I do??? She is growling
and nipping when ever they get near her I have the following does:
•one with 5, 3 week olds
• one with 1, 4 week old
Please help they are very valuable to me, of great pedigrees

 

[woahlookitsme]

How big is her cage? If they are of a similar size of the 4week old you could try putting them in there to foster.

 

[lovelops]

And if that doesn't work you can hand raise them. I had to do that with two of mine. If the other does won't take them and nurse them, get some kitten replacement milk and an eye dropper and keep feeding them. I hand raised two from 4 days old after the mother died and it can be done. They are almost 2 years old now. Just remember to keep them warm and with the other litter if possible for warmth so they won't feel isolated IF you go that route. First I would try what Woah suggested above and see if you can get them fostered. That would be the best first step.

Please let us know how it goes.

Vanessa

 

[ladysown]

at four and three weeks of age those kits will be fine on their own. ALL they need is hay, pellets, and a touch of oatmeal. Kits CAN be weaned (if needed) anytime after day 17 without the need for milk.

having been there done that... Most likely their moms want very much to be bred and ergo the kits are in the way.

Breed those does, and give them a break from their kits.

 

[Kati's Holland Lops]

I gave them to the one with 1, 4 week old, she is taking good care of them

 

[Aubrisita]

So glad to hear it, I will keep my fingers crossed for them.

 

[lovelops]

at four and three weeks of age those kits will be fine on their own. ALL they need is hay, pellets, and a touch of oatmeal. Kits CAN be weaned (if needed) anytime after day 17 without the need for milk.

having been there done that... Most likely their moms want very much to be bred and ergo the kits are in the way.

Breed those does, and give them a break from their kits.

Yes but these are two weeks old... not three or four week...


Vanessa

 

[lovelops]

I gave them to the one with 1, 4 week old, she is taking good care of them

That is great. If they were older it wouldn't be an issue, but I'm glad to see that the doe took them and it's not a problem.

Vanessa

 

[ladysown]

at two weeks of age the kits are coming out of the nest box and at that age they are demanding in their actions toward mom.
The growling and nipping isn't her rejecting them, it's her training them to leave her alone and wait until it's dinner time.

some does take it a tad bit too far, that's where close observation of doe and kits comes into play, and also intervention in the form of an overturned nest box to give mom a place to escape from the little brats.