How long to hold her or foster them question?

[GBov]

We have a first time mum who had five kits yesterday and they dont seem to be fed.

My options are hold her for them twice a day so, if we go that route, how long do I hold her for? And how do I know they are getting the proper latch on?

Or foster them onto another doe but all my other does have 16 day old litters. Can I put two of those litters together and give a doe day old kits? What are the odds of her taking them?

This doe - Tiger - is from a good mother so I hope she takes to them but I will willingly take them from her to save them!

 

[Secuono]

You will hear the suckling noises. I hold the doe until the kits start going to sleep and no longer squirming for milk.

The other doe's may take the kits, but the bigger issue is that those older kits will be stronger and will steal the milk.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Some does don't get their milk in right away, so don't give up on her yet. You might see if one of the other does will feed the kits- take their own kits away for the day and put the nest of newborns in the cage this evening. After they feed, remove the nest and replace the doe's own kits.

I tried flipping a doe to nurse back in December, but I believe she was too stressed to let her milk down or she wasn't producing enough. The litter died one by one until only two remained. Some does will relax enough if you hold them in your lap and place the kits underneath them. Another option is to just put her in the nest and block her from getting out.

 

[GBov]

I held her in the nest this afternoon for as long as my back would take it - processing two huge turkeys takes it out of a gal - and they all looked much smoother when I let her out. I kept my hand on her head with it in the corner of hte nest pan so she was blocked from jumping out and my other hand was on her bum to keep her from backing out and I could use that hand to lift a bit so they could get under.

When I hear sucking noises they are getting milk? Good, I heard lots of that.

And when I was too sore to stand crouched over her I gently petted and let go and she sat a little bit up, sniffed and nuzzled one of the kits and let the rest keep nursing for a little bit longer.

Feeling better about this litter and shall forgive the doe biting me this morning.

 

[SelfFueled]

Sounds like she fed them.

hurray!

 

[Lizardslaps]

I weigh my baby bunnys every morning to see if they have been fed and feed the ones that missed out once in the mornings until they open there eyes


I have also noticed once a bunny misses a feeding and didn't gain the weight like the other ones for that day they stay behind even after weaning by a growing amount last group at 7weeks it was about 6 to 7oz

 

[OneAcreFarm]

If their bellies are round and smooth like they swallowed a marble, they are fed. Wrinkly bellies are empty bellies.

 

[GBov]

If their bellies are round and smooth like they swallowed a marble, they are fed. Wrinkly bellies are empty bellies.

Last time I checked them they were smooth and happy looking. They had split themselves into two nests so I put them all back together.

The heat seems to be back :evil:

 

[tm_bunnyloft]

Heat? We are freezing our behinds off up here. lol

 

[GBov]

Heat? We are freezing our behinds off up here. lol

I am worrying about heat stroked baby bunnies here again :roll: The last three weeks has been wonderful but today is hot and tomorrow is going to be hotter.

 

[AnnClaire]

If the litter is seperating themselves into two nests, it is probably because it is too warm for them to all be together :lol: As long as they all come together for nursing, things are fine. Also, once the doe has been nursed, she will probably "get it" and won't need your intervention anymore :bouncy: She just needed her instincts kick started :mbounce:

 

[GBov]

If the litter is seperating themselves into two nests, it is probably because it is too warm for them to all be together :lol: As long as they all come together for nursing, things are fine. Also, once the doe has been nursed, she will probably "get it" and won't need your intervention anymore :bouncy: She just needed her instincts kick started :mbounce:

I think I watched them kick in yesterday when I let her go and she nuzzled them and let them keep nursing for a moment. Today she is mega relaxed and they all look like velveteen marbles.

Such a good look for baby bunnies

 

[ZRabbits]

Thrilled to hear Mom has taken over with a mega relaxed attitude toward nursing.

Karen

 

[GBov]

She is using one side of the nest pan - made of wire - as a toilet spot. Should I move it to the other side of the cage or just keep that side cleaned out?

I dont want to upset the apple cart, as it were.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Is the nest on top of her usual potty spot? If so, I would move the nest. If not, the nest may be too big. She should have an inch or so of clearance on all sides of her, maybe a bit more front to back.

 

[GBov]

Is the nest on top of her usual potty spot? If so, I would move the nest. If not, the nest may be too big. She should have an inch or so of clearance on all sides of her, maybe a bit more front to back.

I took her out of the colony a week ago so I dont know if that corner is her potty spot or not. I looked at it today and thought perhaps the kits might get an extra feed when she "goes" so I didnt move it to the other side of the cage. Shall clean it this afternoon and give them fresh hay. The poo is beside, but not on, the babies.