BOSS for 3 week old kits? *kit didnt' make it*

[TerriG]

The 3 week old kits are just starting to wander out into the main part of the cage. I noticed the kits getting into Mom's BOSS. Is it ok for them or do I need to figure out a way to keep them out of it?

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I don't feed rabbit pellets, instead I feed a mix of oats, barley, BOSS, and beet pulp. All of my kits start out on the same diet and I haven't had any problems.

 

[ladysown]

just watch they don't get poopy butt.

 

[lissapell]

I don't feed rabbit pellets, instead I feed a mix of oats, barley, BOSS, and beet pulp. All of my kits start out on the same diet and I haven't had any problems.

Have you seen a difference in your buns since starting beet pulp?

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Have you seen a difference in your buns since starting beet pulp?

When I switched from pellets it was part of my mix from the beginning, so... no.

They all seem to be doing well on the diet, but I don't have comprehensive records of litter weights or anything to make a comparison of pellets versus hay and grain.

 

[Demamma]

I use the MSD's grain formula except I add i part of wheat to it. They all seem to be doing well. The new rabbits I get transition well to it with no problems.

 

[Dood]

My guys won't eat beet pulp, they just kick it out.
Do you feed pellets or shredded?
Dry or soaked?
With or without molasses?
Do you feed hay as well?

Maybe I need to post this in natural feeding.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Do you feed pellets or shredded?
Dry or soaked?
With or without molasses?
Do you feed hay as well?

Shredded, dry, either or but preferably w/out, alfalfa hay.

Some of the beet pulp falls through the bottoms of the J feeders, but the few (very few) rabbits that have bowls eat all of it.

I would consider beet pulp optional- I feed it because I use it to keep weight on our two very old horses so felt it would be good for the bunnehs.

I like to provide diversity in the nutrient profiles of the ingredients in the mix, especially because feeding grains instead of pellets is experimental. I am hoping to cover the basics by offering a bit of variety.

 

[Dood]

Thanks!

 

[TerriG]

just watch they don't get poopy butt.

And now he has a poopy butt. Not sure if we caught it in time We'll pull this kit and feed oats and hay. Hopefully we can get it turned around. The doe that this kit is from has a major problem with kits with enteritis.<br /><br />__________ Tue Jan 22, 2013 9:44 am __________<br /><br />Kit didn't make it through the night. I suspected that would be the case after petting it last night. I have seen enteritis too many times. I really hope we don't loose a bunch to it again. Wheezy (the dam) has kits that are really prone to enteritis. We are actually talking about replacing her for that very reason. She had 11 kits this time (!!!) and we lost the runt and now this kit. We were excited that she had such a large litter since we usually loose so many of hers. I just wish we didn't have to deal with this. I started oats at about 3 1/2 weeks and then timothy hay at 4 weeks at the suggestion of someone brilliant here. I hope it makes a difference.

 

[AnnClaire]

Terri,

So sorry to hear :grouphug2:

I find that kits will mouth oats that are sprinkled in the nest during the second week. They also nibble on the hay and during the 3rd week, they are out at the pellets and drinking water.

 

[TerriG]

I find that kits will mouth oats that are sprinkled in the nest during the second week. They also nibble on the hay and during the 3rd week, they are out at the pellets and drinking water.

That's exactly what I am trying with this litter, except later. Actually, I need to check my dates. It may have been 2 1/2 weeks (was out of oats in the rabbitry and kept forgetting to bring them out) and 3 weeks. It has to be, b/c my other does are due to kindle this week. Ugg, idk. I'm trying to keep too much in my head. I'll have to look it up

Up until now, we have just waited for them to wander out and start on Mom's pellets. I had read that it was fine. I am finding that we have up to a 50% loss rate on Wheezy's kits, so I am trying other things to see if we can cut that down.

 

[AnnClaire]

Terri,

You might treat her with a course of antibiotics between breedings to see if it is some low-grade systemic infection that she has ... not virulent enough for her to be symptomatic, but passed to the kits whose weaker immune systems can't fight it off.

You also might want to find a breeding/rabbit software that will send email notices or pop up a calendar to remind you of dates and actions. I use Global Pedigree Project http://www.globalpedigree.com/index.php?refid=cc58a75a9518c1797c81d3acab31295fbb45d77e

 

[TerriG]

Terri,

You might treat her with a course of antibiotics between breedings to see if it is some low-grade systemic infection that she has ... not virulent enough for her to be symptomatic, but passed to the kits whose weaker immune systems can't fight it off.

I have considered this, just not sure how I feel about the antibiotics. Still back and forth on that.

You also might want to find a breeding/rabbit software that will send email notices or pop up a calendar to remind you of dates and actions. I use Global Pedigree Project http://www.globalpedigree.com/index.php?refid=cc58a75a9518c1797c81d3acab31295fbb45d77e

Thank you. I really appreciate it. I will check that one out. I do keep track on my computer (spreadsheet) and I also have cards with all the info on their feeders.

I just didn't have my spreadsheet open or my cards in front of me. I was trying to go by memory. My brain is kinda scrambled right now (5 kids+day 2 of a diet). I know once I get all the crappy food out of my system, I will feel much better and my head will no longer feel like this. It's just getting through the first few days.

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

Wheezy (the dam) has kits that are really prone to enteritis.

cull that rabbit.. You dont need the heart break.. You know it comes from her. Cull her.. In order to have a good breeding stock is to watch for this kind of stuff... Her does might carry it to her babies ...

 

[TerriG]

Wheezy (the dam) has kits that are really prone to enteritis.

cull that rabbit.. You dont need the heart break.. You know it comes from her. Cull her.. In order to have a good breeding stock is to watch for this kind of stuff... Her does might carry it to her babies ...

That's what we've been thinking. We won't keep any kits from her or her daughter (they are 2 of our 4 does). We haven't had problems with her daughter's kits, but they are messy. Like gross messy (peeing and pooping in the box, etc). Their kits are strictly meat. We are choosing does to grow-out and replace them with from our other 2 does. In the meantime, we are just working with what we have.

 

[AnnClaire]

A new diet and FIVE KIDS???? I applaud your strength! Hang in on the diet ... you are almost past the hard part

I do agree with MaryAnn that you will probably need to cull this doe in the long run. But if she is a pedigreed doe that is difficult to acquire due to location/breed/color/etc. there are other options to explore first, such as the feed being the inciting factor.

Up until now, the doe has demonstrated that her immune system is robust enough to keep any P-strain she is carrying in check. Any kits she raises successfully should have immunity even more effective against this particular strain. This is a line that I would suggest needs to be culled hard, but the resulting line will be all the stronger for it.

A fine example of breeding for stronger genetics. However, all this line will be "suspect" for stress-induced P and IMHO, the kits should be "bomb proofed" with new situations, travel, etc.

In the end, it is up to you how you proceed :cheesysmile:

 

[TerriG]

She is a meat mutt that was given to us as a starter. She and her daughter were both bred when we got them.

I have 2 other does and 2 bucks that we bought from a breeder with good stock. They aren't pedigreed, but the difference in the problems with the kits and the messes they make are day and night!

 

[AnnClaire]

So, I think you have your answer ... she is a "meat mutt", therefor, livestock. You keep and doctor a pet, you cull livestock to better the herd.

 

[TerriG]

So, I think you have your answer ... she is a "meat mutt", therefor, livestock. You keep and doctor a pet, you cull livestock to better the herd.

I think that is a perfect explanation. You put it into words, when I couldn't. Doesn't make it easy, but that is how I am trying to look at it.