Should I start weaning my rabbits?

[Degunuts]

Howdy! I’ve got some mini Rex babies who are 5 weeks old today, and I’m wondering if I should start weaning them. They’re eating on their own and quite a bit, and they hardly if at all nurse anymore. The evidence of nursing, primarily matted fur around the nipples, is almost nonexistent at this point. I know they’re a bit early, however they seem ready. Any thoughts? Thanks!

Note: the runt has also caught up in size to the rest.

 

[Preitler]

In emergency kits can be weaned at 4 weeks, but it's better to keep them with the doe for about 8 weeks, at some point the doe will wean them anyway (sometimes that can take a while though, longest I've seen was well past 16 weeks). If you don't have a good reason for weaning them early, like getting the doe in shape for a heavy breeding schedule, stress or space issues, I don't see why it should be done. Well, it can be done, and it works and doen't really effect growth rate afaik, but it's not how I do it.
Even if the doe stops nursing early, there's still the aspect of socialising.

 

[Degunuts]

I suppose that’s true. They’re doing well with socializing, I can tell you that right now! They’re rambunctious little things, though that’s not always great when I keep them inside. It’s hard to sleep when I hear them playing with the cardboard hide!