Rescue baby rabbit care + pregnant mom?

[honeybunnie]

Hello, I am new here, so please excuse any mistakes or awkwardness.
So on Sunday, my friend went to work – a petting zoo – and saw that their female rabbit had given birth ton a litter…they keep their rabbits in just a wire cage, and it was snowing and cold, and the petting zoo owner was just going to kill them (it’s an awful place) – so she rescued them and brought them to me.
I’ve had rabbits before, but not in about a half a year, and I have never had any babies and/or pregnant moms. I think she may be pregnant again because she was in a cage with 2 other bucks.
The babies and mom are doing good now, but does anyone have any suggestions/things to avoid so they babies get the best care possible, since I’m new to this? And if she does end up giving birth again to another litter when she still has her current litter, what should I do?
Thank you!!

[jerseygirl]

It is very possible she could be pregnant again. It’s intinctual for the males to mount a female shortly after she has birthed a litter and the females are more receptive and fertile then also.
Make sure she is getting protein. Unlimited pellets and perhaps some alfalfa hay along with grass hay. There are some pellet feeds around that are for nursing does too.

Even if another litter doesn’t arrive, it is a good idea to give the mother space where she can get away from the kits if need be. Especially when they become more mobile and try latch to her at any given opportunity. Not sure how you have them set up, but if you can arrange it so she can come and go to them as needed but they cannot come out would work well. Otherwise, a roomy cage with a second level that she can go up to might give her an “escape area”.

How old do you think the babies are?

If another litter does arrive, the first should be 4 weeks old at least. Hopefully older. They do start to nurse less and should be starting to eat hay and pellets by then. Their stomach pH starts to change and they need to develop their gut flora. So being with their Mum should help with this but if there’s another litter, you’ll not want the older ones with her constantly. Since they normally only visit the nest once or twice, she could spend a good amount of time with the older ones in between. Ideally when she is eating and pooping the most, They may eat some of her regular poop and some cecatrophs if she produces extra. You’ll get a feel for when she is most actively eating and pooping. 

Once the younger ones (if any) start on solid foods, the older should be nearing an age where it is okay for them to be separated from the Mum. Really hope there wont be more babies to come. That’s a lot to deal with, for her and you!

I normally recommend reading these pages when someone is dealing with a litter,
http://rabbit.org/domestic-baby-bunnies-and-their-mom/
http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/surpriselitter.html

Rabbits Online forum also has a section for breeders so some of the members there are well experienced with Does and their kits.
http://www.rabbitsonline.net/forumdisplay.php?f=20

[jerseygirl]

This may be worth a read also. http://www.raising-rabbits.com/weaning-rabbits.html

[honeybunnie]

Thank you so much!!! I really appreciate it!

[Author]

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