I gave her timothy hay, carrots, and a wedge of apple but she still chose to eat the straw that was keeping her babies warm. She didn't finish the hay, but still chose the straw. I had a baby burp cloth under the straw and she pulled that out first thing, and the babies were nestled in a nice little nest in the straw. They had big bellies, so she was feeding them and taking care of them for those 3 days. I raised rabbits when I was younger and never had this problem. What should my approach be next time?
2007-12-04 05:52:53 · 8 answers · asked by mrslangley 4 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
they're not outside...stupid....and there was a blanket around the corners of the hutch that the babies were in.
2007-12-04 06:01:03 · update #1
her pellet bowl was full and she had plenty of water, hay, and a few carrots and an apple
2007-12-04 06:01:43 · update #2
and yes, this is her first litter.
2007-12-04 06:03:46 · update #3
yes, they were in the nest box...it was full of straw for the bedding in it and momma ate it all leaving them open in the nest box
2007-12-04 06:15:13 · update #4
Seperate the mother at night.
2007-12-04 06:00:49 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Did you have a nest box? Next time use one, a cardboard shoe box will work or a Rubbermaid type container about the same size as a shoe box. This keeps the kits in the box so they can't roll out and freeze. The nest should have lots of hair in it.
Since rabbits only feed babies one or two times a day, remove the nest box except in the morning and evening for about 15 minutes. Mom should not be bothered by this.
2007-12-04 06:13:33 · answer #2 · answered by Kate M 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you use a real rabbit nest box you do not need a light. Rabbits need darkness to sleep so she can be calm and sane. If you breed them again, do not use a light and build a real nest box. Also be sure the doe has lots of extra nutrition before breeding her, during her pregnancy and while nursing the babies. Get a book on raising rabbits. Take good care of the doe now - she has been through a great trauma. Be sure the buck is in another cage until she is ready to breed again. Email me if you have any other questions.
2016-04-07 08:15:54 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Put a small lite under the cage that will provide a little heat. And don't give her the straw that she ate at night while she has the young with her.At least until they're older.
2007-12-04 05:59:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
You should of had them covered with a blanket over the cage overnight and being they were babies I would have put them in a barn, shed or garage in a cage with the mom. I think some animals just want to eat. also some places online sale warming blankets that lay on the bottom of the cage for babies. Please invest some money that was so sad.
Good luck.
2007-12-04 05:59:50 · answer #5 · answered by Butterfly 3 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Maybe try newspaper or something non-edible to warm the babies?
2007-12-04 05:58:06 · answer #6 · answered by sunshinebear 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋
Give her way more food.........or bring them in where they can't freeze..........sounds like a young mom.
Have a great day..........!
2007-12-04 05:56:48 · answer #7 · answered by rainbowmatrixs 4 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Why were they outside?.....Stupid
2007-12-04 05:58:16 · answer #8 · answered by Brown guy 2 · 2⤊ 5⤋