I don't know which rabbit had babies

[natloveskits]

I know, its horrible. We are very new to rabbits and we were going with the flow. Until they started......you know Anyway, the buck is now removed and we thought things were more under control. We just had a surprise litter! We are excited to have it but are nervous because the last litter was a disaster. The mom had babies in two different sections and only 2 lived. We don't know what the issue was but she was a young mother. Anyway, my question is, how do I figure out who the mother is? I know its horrible to not know, but does anyone have advice? They all seem to like checking on the kits and I hate it. Causes too much excitement for the kits which I think is a problem. They flop around away from the rest of the litter (I planned on a nest box for the next PLANNED litter.....it came earlier than expected). Anyway, is there anyway to know? I have three does in there right now. THANK YOU!

 

[Zass]

Take the nest out. Put the kits with the pulled fur and bedding in a nestbox.
Return them in 12 to 24 hours and observe which doe feeds them.
(Rabbits only need to nurse once or twice a day.)

-- Sun Aug 09, 2015 2:41 am --

If they were mine, I'd also separate the other two does into pens of their own as soon as you discover who kindled) and give them nest boxes.

 

[Zinnia]

Yes, yes! What Zass said.

 

[a7736100]

If your does are mellow and let you handle them, look for the one with swollen nipples. If they don't let you flip them over you can just try with their feet on the ground feeling their bellies for nipples. Kits are usually hungry when they are flopping around trying to find a nipple.

 

[natloveskits]

Thank you so much for the help! Going to try asap! Thankfully all the kits are alive and well. In pretty sure I know who is the momma and she seems to be doing her job