I have a ver small wild rabbit that was orphaned what do I feed it and when can I let it free?

Answer 1

This rabbit may not know how to survive on its own if you intend on feeding and then releasing it. You should talk to a Wildlife Rehabilitator.

A baby rabbit, or kit, feeds solely on its mother's milk for about the first three weeks. During the first few days, the milk contains high levels of antibodies that help protect the kit from disease. After three weeks, the kit will begin nibbling on alfalfa hay and pellets. By 7 weeks of age, baby rabbits can handle unlimited access to pellets and alfalfa hay in addition to mother's milk. Kits are usually weaned from their mother's milk by 8 weeks of age, depending on the breed.

Answer 2

Are the eyes open? Does it have hair? Will it eat and drink on it's own? If you have answered yes to all these question, then you have a fully weaned rabbit that's on it's own now. It's probably only big enough to fit in the palm of your hand too. Only thing to do is to let it go right where you found it and just enjoy watching it. They stay near their nest for several weeks after they wean to learn more from their mom to survive in the wild.

However if you have said no to these questions, then you must contact a rehab. center or humane society and turn it over to them. 90%-100% of true orphaned rabbits will not survive for more then a week at most. These are usually smaller then 3" in length. It is never a good idea to try to raise a wild rabbit unless you are trained and even them it may not live.

Orphaned rabbits only get fed twice a day (morning and evening), just like mom would do with them. Most people think rabbits are fed every 2-3 hours or so, but they aren't. Mom is gone from the next the rest of the time so predators don't smell her and kill her and the babies since most nests are out in the open even though underground. The babies sometimes venture to the outside and this is when people mistake them for orphans and take them away from the next area when mom may only be a few feet away in a bush or tall grass.

I won't even take a orphaned rabbit unless the rescue that oversees my rescue really needs me to due to the mortality rate and other health issues with wild rabbits. An injured older one I have cared for and after recovered was set free again.

Answer 3

Many people find baby bunnies and think that they're abandoned. This isn't true! Put it BACK! Rabbits only feed their young once or twice a day and they stay AWAY from the nest so as to not lure preditors. They do NOT need to be fed every 2-3 hrs, 3 times a day would be more than sufficient. But I still highly suggest that you put it back....

Oh, and by the way...do NOT feed it lettuce, carrots and salads unless you want it to die. They all have a HIGH water content and little to no nutritional value and will make the rabbit get diarrhea and can die. Rabbits have a VERY sensitive digestive tract!

Answer 4

You say it is very small, but is it able to eat grass? Baby rabbits are born with there eyes closed and feed off the doe for the first days until their eyes and ears develop and their legs are strong enough to carry them. After this they stay in the burrow and nibble on any grass that the doe brings into the nest and feed off her milk. At about 3 weeks they will start to venture out into the world around the burrow entrance. They will start to feed on vegetation at about this time, still being dependant on their mother. By the time they are 5 to 6 weeks old they will be fully weaned and independant.

If yours is not old enough to feed itself, it should be kept in a warm dark box in a quiet part of the house and reared on a specialist milk preparation. Ask your local wildlife sanctuary what they use, and for advice on how to proceed.

You must also be prepared to feed the baby every 2 to 3 hours, right throughout the day and night for about 3 weeks. I also feel that it is only fair to warn you that the success rate with wild rabbits is, at best, poor, the vast majority of them dying of shock within 24 hours.

Good luck, I hope it makes it.

Rickie.

Answer 5

i would phone the rspca for some advice if in the uk.wild rabbits have a higher chance of getting myxomatosis and viral hemorrhage disease,many of these rabbits die,if you check its eyes they should be clear with no discharge,the rabbit should move freely,and should not just sit still,check the nose as well as they often get discharge as well from there.
the rspca will be able to advice you hat to do,wild rabbits don't do well in captivity, the fact you have been able to catch it could indicate something is wrong with it

Answer 6

lettuce and carrots are good food for rabbits. but if it's too small to eat food, then go to a vet. supply store and buy what is called kitten milk and bottle feed it until it is big enough to eat. my niece raised a jackrabbit this way. she turned it loose when it was about 4 months old.

Answer 7

if it still has to be fed with a bottle just get some evaporated milk and mix half milk and half water. If it's big enough to eat just give it lettuce and carrots. If it's big enough to eat it should be able to live in the wild.

Answer 8

they sell rabbit pellets at pet store. I would let it free in about a month.

Answer 9

timothy hay rabbit pellets carrots cabbage veggies stuff like that

Answer 10

I'd contact your local animal welfare centre to get the best advice, as it might not be old enough to eat the food we can provide.