17 babies!

[Delicatessy]

Hi all!
Its been a while since I last posted though some of you may remember that my bunnies had 14 babies. At that time I thought it was two does sharing one nest. Now I believe it was actually one momma bunny. This time I was keeping the girls separate and my NZW mom gave birth again. When I counted she had 17 babies! Should I cull some of them? How do I decide which to keep and which to go?

 

[DBA]

I can't answer your question, but Holy Cow!!! 17 kits, wow.

I will try to answer, let the doe do the culling if any. Maybe nature and instincts will take over.

 

[grumpy]

Congrats on your success/now problem. LOL. Did the doe raise the entire
previous litter? Or, did she lose a few?

17 kits "won't" survive and thrive without assistance. I've raised rabbits for
several years and have never attempted hand-feeding any kits. I usually
have another few does kindling at the same time and foster some kits to
does with a fewer number. (put a "dot" tattoo in the foster baby's ear.) It's
easy to see, but will fade as they grow older.

This is a toughie, but you'll need to evaluate each and every kit in the litter
and make the choices of which will stay and which must go. Obviously those
that are the larger of the group, you keep. The weaker, smaller, you let go.

I've had does raise 12 kits by themselves, but don't expect a growth rate
anywhere near what is normal. Watch the doe closely, making sure her
condition is not deteriorating while providing for the kits. It's a JOB raising
that many youngsters and will pull a does condition down rather quickly.

Wean the youngsters as quick as possible.

Good luck.

Grumpy.

 

[Delicatessy]

Out of the initial 14, 6 survived. Most were lost because they escaped the nest and got too cold, not that they weren't fed properly. I guess I will have to check on her often to see how the babies are doing.

 

[Susie570]

Holy shnikes... I believe that might be a record!!
You need to take a picture and post it as soon as possible for evidence...

 

[Miss M]

Wow! Congratulations... I think!

You could divide them up into two nests, and take one to her in the morning, and the other at night. Or keep them together and see how it goes. I'm one who would have trouble culling healthy kits, so I would do one of those. Grumpy's more practical than I am.

 

[Jordan513]

Congrats. Would love to see pics. My bigger doe's record is 11 (all surviving).

 

[Delicatessy]

Since this morning, three babies went AWOL. There are predators in the area so no chance of finding them. Two of the babies are obvious runts so will be culled. That leaves 12 babies. A much more manageable number but I still feel like its too many for one momma.

 

[Marinea]

I have had a doe raise 12 more than once. I did keep an eye on them and gave smaller ones extra feedings for a bit, but she didn't lose any.

Congrats!

 

[Susie570]

Sounds like nature is taking its course... I'm sure the losses are less troubling with such a large litter. A doe should be able to raise 12 healthy kits.

 

[michaels4gardens]

you could add BOSS, or maybe a little vegetable oil to the feed ration to boost energy for the milking mom. I used to give smashed up baked potato with a lot of bacon fat mixed in ,to a few does who were trying to raise 12-- it helped a lot with kit growth rate and doe condition. [I am "assuming" you feed hay, if not -do not add potato, as it has too little long stem fiber]

 

[Delicatessy]

Yes, I feed hay. Will probably add some sunflower seeds to her food as well for the extra energy. Thanks for the advice <br /><br /> -- Thu Apr 02, 2015 2:48 pm -- <br /><br /> Today I went to give the nest box to mom as usual to feed the babies but she was not having it. There are 10 babies left from the litter but I may lose two more simply because there is such a large disparity between who gets milk and who doesn't, both in belly size and overall size. I will try to give her the nest box again tonight. Normally she is jumps straight into the nest box to feed them but this time was running from them to whole time. Putting her on her back and giving the babies a chance was just wasted effort, no milk came out.

 

[katiebear]

Being on her back is not a natural position for feeding. A better option is to place a towel across your lap and hold her over the babies...pet her for a while before slipping the little ones in the space under her. She must let down her milk, she won't do that if she is stressed.
Timing is also important..if she normally feeds twice a day, do the lap feed before the time she would normally feed. Good luck, I have a doe that raised a litter of 12 it is possible

 

[Susie570]

I've also heard the suggestion (sounds like a good one) of taking the babies to her in shifts... for example, bring the smaller babies to her for a separate feeding, twice a day.