another question... (Doe agressive to kit)

[SUNSET]

ok, new guy again with question 2....

I got a bunch of 16 days olds..all 8 have survived and are doing well. I happened to be there today when the most precocious one jumped out of the nestbox. Maybe hungry since he immediately tried to nurse. Momma was NOT happy. Started by jumping away but then started to kind of paw at the little one and was even growling a little. She seemed a little aggressive. I managed to grab the little one and put him back in the box but now I am kinda worried. I am sure he/she will try again soon.

He tried to peer out over the top again and they got nose to nose and momma kind of banged on the box which scared the little one away and to the back of the box again.

Is this normal?

 

[Zass]

First time momma?

My does never act like that, BUT I have seen first timers act rather upset when the popples begin leaving the nest and chasing them down.
Although I have heard horror stories of aggressive does attacking kits, I've never actually seen it or spoken to someone directly who had it happen.

With my nervous doe, I did my best to keep them in, and leave her alone for the most part. She settled down after the first couple times it happened. Does she have plenty of room to move away from the kits?

 

[mystang89]

Does the mom have anything to jump on in order to get away from the kits? Does the nesting box have a top on that she can get on top of?

 

[SUNSET]

They are all new to me but I believe she is a first timer. I was told they were around a year old and had not been bred yet.

She could get on the top of the nestbox if she thinks to do it.

She is in a 30 x 30 cage so there is some room in there. She was acting like the little one had invaded her space. The poor little one...I felt so bad for him/her. Plus his/her legs would sometimes go through the wire so he was still trying to learn to get around and there momma was...bullying him.

 

[DogCatMom]

They are all new to me but I believe she is a first timer. I was told they were around a year old and had not been bred yet.

She could get on the top of the nestbox if she thinks to do it.

She is in a 30 x 30 cage so there is some room in there. She was acting like the little one had invaded her space. The poor little one...I felt so bad for him/her. Plus his/her legs would sometimes go through the wire so he was still trying to learn to get around and there momma was...bullying him.

What breed of baby? What size of wire spacing?

Thinking of such a little bunny, losing footing like that.

 

[SUNSET]

New Zealand whites. There is baby saver wire but the kit ia only 16 days old and had never been on wire before. Only been in the nestbox before today.<br /><br />__________ Tue Dec 10, 2013 7:49 pm __________<br /><br />http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a60 ... 0e20a3.jpg

 

[luvabunny]

Normal.

Mama is telling him in no uncertain terms that he is NOT ready to go gallivanting the big, wide world yet, and to get back where he belongs.
In a hole in the ground, that would be easy to do for a 16 day old bunneh.
Jumping up into a nestbox, not quite so easy.

I would put something in front of the nestbox to make it easier for bunneh to get back in, once Mama ignores him and he figures out he's cold and lonesome.

I lose more babies at that age, when they are big enough to hop out, but not quite big enough to hop back in.

Mama won't hurt him. She's being a good Mama.

 

[SUNSET]

Thanks! I feel better. Great idea about a "stepper" to help them get back in.

 

[OneAcreFarm]

Normal.

Mama is telling him in no uncertain terms that he is NOT ready to go gallivanting the big, wide world yet, and to get back where he belongs.
In a hole in the ground, that would be easy to do for a 16 day old bunneh.
Jumping up into a nestbox, not quite so easy.

I would put something in front of the nestbox to make it easier for bunneh to get back in, once Mama ignores him and he figures out he's cold and lonesome.

I lose more babies at that age, when they are big enough to hop out, but not quite big enough to hop back in.

Mama won't hurt him. She's being a good Mama.

Yep, exactly right. I put a brick or piece of 2x4 in front of the box so they can get back in....although by this age, I have usually turned the box on it's side.

 

[desertcat]

I usually turn the nest box on it's side when the kits are about 2 weeks old. Gives momma a bigger area to hop up on & the munchkins still have a good snuggle spot!

 

[SUNSET]

thanks for the earlier replies. Yeah, momma did great. After some intial grunting, it was very gratifying to see her later nuzzling the little one and then grooming him/her. When I put the little one back in the nestbox, I swear she seemed to peek in on him/her a few times before settling down and stretching out. I have had them running around in there for a little while now and momma has been handling it like a champ. Totally mellow. Kids climbing all over her and she is totally cool

For one of the newer litters, I tried putting a brick next to the nestbox, as was suggested. LOL. The little dude just jumped back in... only 2.5 weeks old but had absolutely no problem at all.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpMJW7TLV70<br /><br />__________ Fri Dec 20, 2013 11:02 pm __________<br /><br />camped out on top of momma munching on some hay... http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a60 ... e7d898.jpg

and WOW...they eat a LOT! All the time

http://i1286.photobucket.com/albums/a60 ... b09782.jpg