bringing babies inside questions

[Zass]

I have a nestful of kits that I think I'd rather have inside than out tonight. (when I checked them today the nest was wet and they were chilled)

But I've never separated kits from their mom for more than a couple minutes, what's the procedure on that?
Is there a chance the doe will stop nursing because of my interference? (I dunno, forget they are hers... or something)
Or will she just nurse them whenever I bring them out to her? How long should I leave them in for nursing?(there are 10 of them)

Would it just be better to re-fill the nestbox with clean bedding, add some saved fur and keep them out?

 

[Mickey328]

Does generally nurse morning and evening, so it's safe to bring the babies in for the day or night. If the nest material is wet, by all means, replace it. When we had our first litter, it was really hot out, and I'd bring the whole nest box in about 9 in the morning and take it back out at dusk...right from their 2nd day. Doe was perfectly fine with it! Good luck.

 

[Zass]

Well, in the end I decided I'd rather leave them with their momma. They probably get nursed a bit more often, since there are so many. My rabbits never seem to work on a regular rabbit schedule. (for example, most of my kits are born mid afternoon.)

It's a metal box, which had me worried, so I found a carboard box to fit inside, added LOTS of fresh straw and some snipped up angora wool.
That aught to keep em snug.

The nestbox is actually in a wooden enclosed part of the doe's pen, covered on top and sides with two layers of heavy plastic. So it's not like they are exposed or anything, and it's not like there are too few...and it's not like they aren't already furred out. Maybe I just worry a bit too much.

 

[AmysMacdog]

Awwww all bundled up! I do the same thing Mickey says, bring mine in and so far never had a problem. Just if you do in the future, just be sure to take the nestbox to momma at the same time everyday. For mine its sunup and sundown. My girls don't like it if I'm late! They just act more frantic for me to get their box in the cage LOL and give me the evil eye! If I'm early they won't go in the box until its time. :good-luck:

 

[bobqdevon]

I considered bringing our litter into the house tonight, but when I gave Alice some cheerios and fed the rest, she was sitting on her hind legs growling at me, ripped the cage door open on me, and didn't stop growling until I gave her more cheerios. I felt above the furry nest and there was plenty of heat radiating from it, so I figure they should be ok tonight. I have to go out once more tonight, I might still try to get them again.