How long do you need to shelve single kit?

[mcrvdeb]

I have a single 12-day old kit that I have just begun shelving. Doe had only 2 kits, but we lost one last night when it ended up outside the nestbox in 15F weather. Our temps have been unseasonably warm (day and night) since kindling so the 2 kits together were doing great. It is now returning to temps in high teens at night, 45-50F during the day.
I have never done this before (shelving) with any number of kits so I'm not sure how long to continue to bring the kit in/out, especially since it is a single. Unfortunately, I don't have another doe I can foster it with. The kit is a furry little standard Rex, if that makes any difference.
How long should I continue to shelve? At what day/night temps or approximate age can I leave out with mom?

 

[Presley]

Hello! I have a holland lop that just had a litter today. She had one healthy baby and a peanut. What should I do? I’ve never shelf a kit before. What should I do? It way too cold outside for it to survive on its own. I have a French lop litter and was considering moving one or to over. I’m worried about the size difference.

 

[mcrvdeb]

Hello! I have a holland lop that just had a litter today. She had one healthy baby and a peanut. What should I do? I’ve never shelf a kit before. What should I do? It way too cold outside for it to survive on its own. I have a French lop litter and was considering moving one or to over. I’m worried about the size difference.

I ended up bringing the single kit in nest box into the house to "shelve", then took outside after dark and at 7am for doe to feed. The first 2 nights she did not get into the nest box in the evening (I stayed out for over an hour to watch at a distance) so I took the nest box back in with no feeding. She jumped right in at the morning feedings. Last night when I went to change out water at 9pm the doe acted like she was looking for the box so I brought it down and she immediately got in to feed so hopefully twice daily feedings will continue. The kit is growing well at this point, and I should note that it was already 12 days old when it became a single in the box.
I now find myself in your situation as of this morning. Another doe had 3 kits overnight but 2 were peanuts. I am going to try the same procedure because it simply isn't warm enough to keep a single kit outside in the nest box alone despite her awesome nest. I have another doe due to kindle at any time so I may be able to foster but I'll be shelving for the moment.
I am very new to this, have been struggling with breeding, and have had more losses at birth than I ever anticipated so hopefully someone with more experience can give additional guidance if there is more to this than I can offer.

 

[Alaska Satin]

Hello! I have a holland lop that just had a litter today. She had one healthy baby and a peanut. What should I do? I’ve never shelf a kit before. What should I do? It way too cold outside for it to survive on its own. I have a French lop litter and was considering moving one or to over. I’m worried about the size difference.

For me it would depend on the litter size of the Frenchies, and on the size and age differences of the Frenches vs Holland. If they're the same age and the Holland kit is robust, I always prefer to have kits in among litter. We've raised many combined Mini Rex/Satin and Polish/Satin litters, and as long as there aren't too many kits, or too big an age difference, it has worked out well.

If there is a significant age or size difference, keeping the babe inside and taking it out for feeding once or twice a day should do it. @mcrvdeb's approach - letting the doe determine one or two feedings per day- is a very sensible one. It's just a lot more work for you, and one of my goals is to have push-and-play, low-maintenance livestock. You should also watch the bunny's belly and vent carefully, since a singleton can get more milk than is healthy (I've only seen this once).

This is one eventuality that convinced me to keep false dwarf does around when I raise Mini Rex, Polish, Holland or Netherland Dwarfs. Not only will they not give you peanuts, so you don't have this singleton issue, but they are also a great resource for fosters.