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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Wild Babies, Help? – Thursday’s pics added

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    • Furface
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        Yesterday afternoon my dog found a nest in my yard. She pulled one of the babies out & was licking it. I don’t think she meant to hurt it but, it was twitching when I first got there & told her to leave it. It died 30 seconds later. So I disposed of the body & kept her out of the yard for the rest of the day.

        I thought that mommy would move them last night. I’ve read that you are not suppose to “rescue” them & mommy will move them from a nest that has been disturbed. I’d call a missing baby & human rearranging the fur & grass disturbed. She didn’t move them. What if she got hit by a car or eaten?

        What should I do? I don’t want to take them away from their mommy if she is still around. I don’t want them to starve if something happened to her. 

        I don’t think that their eyes were open yesterday. They are today. How do I tell if mom fed them last night? I know they only feed once or twice a day. What should I be looking for & what do I feed them if it comes to that? How would I feed them? With a syringe?


      • charliesmom
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        • Furface
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            Thanks for the link but, it didn’t say anything that I didn’t already know.


          • charliesmom
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              sorry!


            • Furface
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                That’s OK, good info there.
                I’m reading a link that was posted in Amanda’s baby bunny post, so I’m going back out to check them now.


              • Furface
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                  I think they look OK. I didn’t want to touch them & get my smell on them. Eyes are definately open & the one that was moving around grunted at me.


                • Kokaneeandkahlua
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                    OMG Freaking adorable!!

                    I don’t know that mom will move them but I don’t think that means she’s not around. Rabbits stay away from their babies except to feed them twice a day, because the babies have no scent and the mom does-she does this to keep predators away.

                    I almost wonder if your dog sensed there was something wrong with the baby and that’s why he pulled him out and was licking him. I am about 200% certain your dog did not harm the baby-often the runt dies-perhaps that baby was the runt.

                    Anyways, here’s what I would do:
                    1) Keep your dog out of the yard-pain in the butt I know, but only for a few weeks.
                    2) Check the babies daily-you can tell if they are being fed by checking their tummies-they should have fat bellies. (Contrary to old wives tales, moms will not abandon their babies because of human scent)
                    3)If they are not being fed call your local wildlife rehab centre, they can care fot the babies. It would be heartbreaking and unsuccessful to try to keep them in the house-they will more often then not die.

                    Keep us posted!


                  • katie, max & penny
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                      i agree with KK. I seriously doubt your dog killed the baby. dogs are so nurturing- sounds like she was trying to nurse the baby or help it.
                      i wish i knew more about dealing with wild buns. i think keeping them fed and safe is the best thing until they grow up and wander away.


                    • redenvelope
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                        You can pour flour around the nest, and if it’s scattered the next day, you’ll know the mum has been there.


                      • RabbitPam
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                          I think you can put a box over them, with one side completely open so that they are protected but there’s a wide “door” for the mother to go in and out. Forum Leaders, please confirm that this is OK to do. I thought it was done by another member in a previous post, but don’t want to misinform. If OK, it would help the other animals keep from finding and disturbing the nest as well.

                          And good idea to call animal control and keep the dog inside. He was just trying to help.


                        • Furface
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                            OK, I just checked on them & all 3 have moved around. 2 were moving around right then.
                            They don’t looked wrinkled so I think they are fine. I’ll keep watching their proggress & keep you picture updated.

                            Kokaneeandkahlua & katiehedger – I also thought she looked to be trying to help it, like she washed the kitten when it got sick.

                            redenvelope – That sounds like a great idea!


                          • Furface
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                              RabbitPam – I did put the fur & grass carefully back on top of them so they are warm & out of sight.
                              A box might be a good idea as well. I have several here so I can easily do that. I’ll wait a bit to see if anyone says that’s a bad idea.


                            • LittlePuffyTail
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                                I find it surprising that Momma bunny doesn’t hide the babies better, considering all the predators a wild rabbit has. Are they normally so out in the open? I just assumed the babies would be in a burrow or something.


                              • Furface
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                                  They are in my horseshoe pit that I converted into a vine garden with a iron head board but the plants are doing horrible this year so very sparse.
                                  She dug a hole in the sand 6 inches around by three inches deep. She covered them with fur & grass clippings.
                                  The dog probably found them by hearing the tiny squeaky grunting noise.
                                  Yah, they are pretty out in the open not under a hedge or bush or my enormous deck, silly rabbit.
                                  I’m shocked that she hasn’t moved them but maybe they are to big to move now.


                                • Furface
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                                    Today’s picture – she must be feeding them because they look to me like they grew overnight.

                                    This is where they are – please excuse the weedy pots. LOL I didn’t want to move them because I don’t want to disrupt the area too much.


                                  • Monkeybun
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                                      Oh wow, it DOES look like they grew over night! Is that little one on right opening its eyes? <3


                                    • Furface
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                                        Yep, it’s eyes were open yesterday too.
                                        They are very cute & it’s really hard to resist bringing them in the house or sitting & cuddling them. LOL
                                        I’m being a good animal crazed person though & only checked on them once today. LOL


                                      • kralspace
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                                          This link is great for estimating the age and abilities of baby cottontails
                                          http://rescuedrabbits.org/?page_id=108

                                          This link repeats the care hints above
                                          http://www.2ndchance.info/bunnies.htm


                                        • Furface
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                                            Thank you very much, kralspace, those are very informative links.

                                            Yesterday I was very afraid that something had happened to their mom & that I was going to end up trying to help them.
                                            I’m pretty sure that mom is around as I’m sure they grew overnight so, I’ll continue to check them once per day, just to be sure they are still safe & there.
                                            I know they are better off with mom than me.
                                            I will also have the dog on leash until they are gone.


                                          • Kokaneeandkahlua
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                                              Mom must be around-they are growing like wildfire!!! I think your doing great


                                            • amanda-penny & lola
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                                                How beautiful. they do look like they grew overnight! I hope everything works out well.


                                              • LittlePuffyTail
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                                                  They do look bigger..so cute. I can imagine how hard it is not to pick them up and snuggle them…restraint…restraint….


                                                • Furface
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                                                    Today’s progress picture!!!


                                                  • Monkeybun
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                                                      zomg cute. wants!


                                                    • kralspace
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                                                        well, crap, I knew I shouldn’t have looked at this thread at work, now all I do is sit here and go aaaawwwwwwwwwwww.

                                                        they are really getting mature looking. In going with the article about sizes, how do they relate in size to a tennis ball? or your hand? How old would you guess they are now? Oh heck, I might as well use my passport and fly up there and ssqqquuueeee at them in person, shouldn’t I?

                                                        I think you’re a great surrogate mom!


                                                      • Furface
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                                                          My guess would be 2 weeks.


                                                        • luvmybunny
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                                                            Wow! They really did grow overnight! They are sooooo cute!! Thanks for the updates!


                                                          • BinkyBunny
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                                                              Oh, soooo sweet! They are growing so fast.


                                                            • Furface
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                                                                Wednesday’s pictures: The hole is starting to be pretty full!!! LOL

                                                                I have some alfalfa hay here, I wonder if they are big enough yet?


                                                              • mrmac
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                                                                  Oh, they are sooo cute! They are running out of room!


                                                                • LizzieKnittyBun
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                                                                    Oh! What beautiful babies!

                                                                    Thank you so much for sharing these pics with us!


                                                                  • Lara
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                                                                      I waaaant one…


                                                                    • Furface
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                                                                        I don’t know what to say, here are today’s pics, the one looking at the camera bolted, it got caught.  I’m so upset.

                                                                        There are 2 left & I wish I could take them in the house to live. As soon as they get to the yard next door they are doomed, that dog has a high prey drive.


                                                                      • Kafrn
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                                                                          You mean it got caught by the neighbours dog? Oh no What would happen if you took them inside? are they big enough to live without their mothers feeds? Is there any way that you can rabbit-proof your fence so that they cant get to where the neighbours dog is??


                                                                        • Furface
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                                                                            If I took them inside:
                                                                            They would lose their fear of humans & dogs.
                                                                            It would be illegal to keep them as pets so would not be able to spay or neuter.
                                                                            It’s not really possible to tame cottontails very well.

                                                                            It was my dog this time & she is gentle, the neighbours is not.

                                                                            I could try to move them – anyone know of any preditor free areas….


                                                                          • MimzMum
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                                                                              But if you move them, how would you get the mom to go too? Have you actually seen her yet?
                                                                              Are they even old enough to go without her? Is it getting cold in your area? First snow is only weeks away here. Aren’t there any wildlife rescues nearby?
                                                                              Poor baby bunny. *sniff* I’ve seen my dogs occasionally go after our cats and other small animals, they get a swift punishment from me for that. But it’s hard to quell natural drives.
                                                                              They’re so beautiful. I’m sorry, this must be very hard for you, Furface.


                                                                            • Furface
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                                                                                I don’t know what to do. If I moved them away from here where would I go?
                                                                                The only safe place is in the house & that’s just not feasible. What if they brought a disease in?


                                                                              • Furface
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                                                                                  Oh & no I haven’t seen mom but she must be around.


                                                                                • luvmybunny
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                                                                                    I’m sorry the one baby didn’t make it I don’t think wild rabbits can be made into domestic rabbits, sadly. I would want to bring them inside too, I did a google search on it to see what the results were. House Rabbit Society had good info but says they will not survive without being in the wilderness.


                                                                                  • BinkyBunny
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                                                                                      I really don’t know much about keeping wild rabbits safe, but with a quickie google search I found a tip about how to make the nest more secure –
                                                                                      http://www.instructables.com/id/SRX4BFZFHTOF3C7/ (SEE STEP 2)


                                                                                    • Furface
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                                                                                        Thanks for the idea BinkyBunny
                                                                                        I didn’t check on them yesterday because I didn’t want them to bolt into the neighbours yard.
                                                                                        I have a large NIC pen outside. I can surround them with it.
                                                                                        I did think of that before but I thought if it keeps mine in it will keep mom out.
                                                                                        I was too upset too think of cutting the zip ties on one section to make a hole for mom. *shakes head at own stupidity*
                                                                                        The dog has been throwing up since this happened as well so my brain is frazzled.
                                                                                        I’m going out soon & I’ll put some alfafa hay near the nest.
                                                                                        I’m not going to uncover them anymore though because if they bolt, I think they would fit through the NIC cubes holes.
                                                                                        Hopefully I can get to see them again when they hit the explore stage.


                                                                                      • LittlePuffyTail
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                                                                                          Aw, so sad about the one little baby…


                                                                                        • BinkyBunny
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                                                                                            Oh, I’m just so sorry. As much as we want updates and cute pictures, you are doing the right thing  right now – not uncovering them to keep them safe.


                                                                                          • Furface
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                                                                                              Well, I guess I missed the explore stage they are gone. I hope they are fine & didn’t venture the wrong direction. I’m having empty nest syndrome.

                                                                                              I’ll have to go POKE Amanda & Kafn now for more baby pictures.


                                                                                            • MooBunnay
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                                                                                                I also had a nest of baby bunnies in my backyard, and one day they were just gone, but then a few weeks later one of the babies moved back into my yard! So I bet you’ll see them from time to time. I’m sorry to hear about the one getting caught. The tough part about wildlife is that we always want to protect them, but sometimes it doesn’t work out Its not your fault, there are a lot of dangerous things out there for bunnies since they are a prey animal. I hope you see some of your bunny friends soon!


                                                                                              • amanda-penny & lola
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                                                                                                  aw. I’m sorry to hear about the baby bunny.

                                                                                                  I hope you feel better soon!


                                                                                                • Kokaneeandkahlua
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                                                                                                    Awww well that’s OK I bet they are doing fine and fattening up for winter


                                                                                                  • Furface
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                                                                                                      Posted By kralspace on 09/07/2009 03:45 PM
                                                                                                      This link is great for estimating the age and abilities of baby cottontails
                                                                                                      http://rescuedrabbits.org/?page_id=108

                                                                                                      This link repeats the care hints above
                                                                                                      http://www.2ndchance.info/bunnies.htm

                                                                                                      sorry I was trying to quote this to another thread & hit submit here by accident.

                                                                                                       

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                                                                                                  Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Wild Babies, Help? – Thursday’s pics added