Disappointing mother rabbit. What should I do?

[Cosima]

Chilli had babies three days ago. At first all the babies seemed fine but now there’s two giant belled kit two medium belled kits a two super small kits (one small kit is with lady). What should I do? Should I take out the big ones for a night? I have already tried feeding the runts on their own but they don’t seem to get any milk.

 

[Cosima]

Both runts are dead. They had gas in their belly’s when I found them dead.

 

[Jay_ho]

My does first litter,, she did the same thing to all 6 kits, did not feed them. I heard this can be common for 1st time mothers and they will hopefully learn by the 2nd litter.

This last litter, she had four kits,, one of the kits was super runt, about half the size of their the other kits. The others were feeding well (still feeding well and on day 7)

I had read on here about pulling momma and runt out out to give an additional opportunity to feed (cradle mom on her back letting the kit root on her belly to feed).

I tried that 3 times over 3 days - mom was very patient and let the kit search. The kit would not latch on, even with help to find a teet. Ultimately the kit died a couple days ago ( by day 4 ) even with cat milk supplements.

 

[ladysown]

Depending on the breed Jay_ho, that super tiny baby was probably a peanut. They simply can't eat.

Cosima. Rather than letting babies nurse "extra" just pull out the biggest couple for a feeding or two so the smaller ones have more opportunity to eat. But honestly... it's not necessarily a bad doe. All the kits had the same chance to hit the "milk bar". Two did not have the determination the rest of them did. Do you really want to add the lack of determination to your herd?

 

[Cosima]

I have already concluded that she’s only getting one more try and if half or more died again she will be eaten. This is her third litter (I don’t know how her first litter went) but I’m counting it as her second because she actually second litter was born premature and all the babies were dead. a third kit is getting skinny now so half of her litter is probably going to die. Should I take the biggest kit and put it with a other doe?

 

[Cosima]

I don’t think my rabbits can produce peanuts.

 

[ladysown]

how big is the litter from your other doe?

If the age is similar, and she's a fairly big doe from what I recall, then I would be inclined to foster them all. Most any doe should be able to raise five kits easily, and larger breeds it shouldn't be a problem at all. If the other doe is doing a good job...

OR... you can play swaps for a bit. Foster out kits that don't need help and pull in the smallest from the other litter..

 

[Cosima]

The other doe is slightly smaller but a much better mom and on her first litter she raised 6 healthy babies. Her litter is a litter of four. I probably going to put the two most beautiful kits with the good mom.

 

[WylieCoyote]

I have to deal with a similar issue. I don't have the patience for a litter #3 chance with her. If she had a better disposition I would, but she's going in the freezer when I return from my dad's funeral in Texas.

 

[Cosima]

the only reason I’m giving her a other change is because this is her first alive litter with me.

 

[Cosima]

Sorry about your dad.

 

[dlynn]

I have to deal with a similar issue. I don't have the patience for a litter #3 chance with her. If she had a better disposition I would, but she's going in the freezer when I return from my dad's funeral in Texas.

Condolences on losing your dad. Safe travels

 

[Cosima]

A update. Chilli has one kit and the one I put with lady (the other doe) and three of lady’s died to but I think most of the deaths were because of a poison leave I was giving them and to little nutrition. Now both those problems are fixed so everyone is getting another try.

 

[Estrella]

Both runts are dead. They had gas in their belly’s when I found them dead.

I’m sorry you lost them! I didn’t think gas was an issue with kits until they started transitioning to a solid foods. How did you know they had gas in their bellies?

 

[Cosima]

No gas at all. I‘ve already made a thread about this What am I doing wrong? Mystery illness killing baby rabbits. .

 

[Cosima]

I’m sorry you lost them! I didn’t think gas was an issue with kits until they started transitioning to a solid foods. How did you know they had gas in their bellies?

The young kits that died did have gas but the older ones that died (a month old) didn’t.

 

[Estrella]

The young kits that died did have gas but the older ones that died (a month old) didn’t.

So that’s what I originally asked though- how did you know the young kit that died had gas?? I thought kits only get gas’s when they transition from nursing to eating solid foods

 

[Cosima]

Their bellies were really big and bloated. It’s pretty easy to tell.

 

[anuttyfarm]

I would like to know why rabbits get gas or bloat. I bought some rabbits from an auction, and all were doing good. Gaining weight and then they all stopped eating and looked like they were about to explode when they died. Is there a treatment for that? If so what?

 

[Cosima]

My Rabbit get gas when they eat bad or new food. the best thing you can do is massage their belly or let them run but if they are to weak there is not much you can do. most likely want happened with your rabbits is that since the auction or their previous owner was probably giving them different food then you are they are having trouble to adjust.