IDIOT DOE!!!! Best way to warm/clean kits????

[Kyle@theWintertime]

..........parsley stimulates labor??? Might give some to Breezy too, then, she's overdue anyways and I want to foster these babies to her ASAP.

 

[AmysMacdog]

Awww Kyle, sorry your having these troubles. I hope she gets her milk in soon and Breezy kindles soon and does well with her litter for you.

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

The second Peanut and the smallest/weakest normal kit (a true runt if you will) have died. That leaves two normal kits. They haven't been fed yet judging by their wrinkly bellies.

Breezy is off her feed, didn't seem interested in it, so I hope that means she kindles tonight. A doe skips dinner, watch for kits in the morning, right? I hope so...these two little Liz-babies need a miracle.

 

[Sinnfox]

If you do choose to give any to the one due only give little bits...don't want to force full blown labor before she is ready, could cause other issues <br /><br />__________ Tue Jun 25, 2013 6:58 pm __________<br /><br />oh also its why you don't want to give them parsley while pregnant...some will miscarry if its to early on in the pregnancy

 

[Cottie]

The second Peanut and the smallest/weakest normal kit (a true runt if you will) have died. That leaves two normal kits. They haven't been fed yet judging by their wrinkly bellies.

Breezy is off her feed, didn't seem interested in it, so I hope that means she kindles tonight. A doe skips dinner, watch for kits in the morning, right? I hope so...these two little Liz-babies need a miracle.

Time to put on a pot of coffee for an all-nighter?

I'm sorry you're having these problems, Kyle. Sending happy baby vibes to the two survivors.

 

[Miss M]

Fingers crossed for the other two! :clover:

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Parsley is considered a gentle emmenogogue (herb that causes contractions/stimulates labor)... I think you would have to give a great deal to "force" her labor, but of course all animals react differently. Here is a list of emmenogogues of varying strengths:

herbs-that-cause-contractions-t14843.html

I wouldn't suggest giving them to stimulate labor except in an emergency situation (stuck kit, day 37, etc.) since usually the animal knows best when their young are ready to be born- but a little parsley wont hurt her, it is an appetite stimulant, and helps with milk letdown as well, as a secondary effect of the contractions.

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

Well, the two remaining kits are still alive. They even look slightly less wrinkly, so I think Liz nursed them...plus there was a telltale poop in the nest box, indicating her presence.

However, tonight will get cold, there's only two kits...I brought the box inside to keep them warm and my dad FREAKED OUT. He somehow got the idea that does incubate their kits. It's a rabbit, not a chicken, she won't sit on them to keep them warm. But he's insistent, and while I'd rather bring them in, I'm not going to risk getting kicked out or something over this. I just hope they don't chill and die tonight.

Still, they were moving vigorously when nudged and seemed a lot more...perky, so...who knows?

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I'm sorry you are down to two kits, Kyle.

I would be worried that they would freeze... can you run an extension cord out to the rabbit corner and hang a 60 watt bulb near the nest? Or cover the cage with some old towels, a blanket, or cardboard?

 

[Miss M]

Oh... it's tough for two newborns when it's cold. Do they have LOTS of fur? Maybe you can stuff the box with dryer lint and teased cotton balls and all sorts of things that will hold heat in? And make sure they have lots under them, too? Maybe you can pull some fur from the doe? Hot water bottle in a sock?

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

Both kits were chilled and dead this morning. My dad feels very guilty, he basically forced me to return them to the doe, he really believed she'd keep them warm. :roll: I'm very discouraged about all of this, to be honest. Breezy is so overdue I worry she reabsorbed, or worse, has a retained kit. I'm losing my mind here.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I'm so sorry, Kyle. Poor little babies.

I hope Breezy popples soon. As long as her demeanor is good, and she seems comfortable, I wouldn't worry.

 

[Asinaway]

Awww I'm sorry kyle, I know how much you looked forward to these litters. I really hope breezy pops soon and things go better for you.

 

[WildWolf]

I'm sorry Kyle. I hope both you and your dad cheer up soon, and hopefully Breezy will have a nice litter! :clover: :clover:

 

[AmysMacdog]

I'm so very sorry Kyle. Hang in there. I've had a rough year this year too with the rabbits but I've had many other successful years with beautiful bunnies. Don't give up! [[HUGS]]

 

[Flemishstar]

Any news on Breezy????

 

[Secuono]

I tossed a 'dead, cold, jelly and floppy' kit to the chickens the other day. Another hen brought over the same kit, live and squealing!!!
Hoping the best for your kits!

 

[stone soup farm]

When this happened to me with a first time doe, I put them in a gallon ziplock bag, open at the top of course. Then I filled a sink with hot water and put the ziplock bag with the babies in the water. You just have to make sure the bag stays open but doesn't get water in it. Once they have a good base heat you can put them together and as long as you have 2 or 3 they should hopefully keep each other warm. Single kits don't do well with no other bodies producing warmth.

The momma doe ended up having her instincts kick in and pulled fur the next day and feed them just fine. I hadn't saved any fur so I lined the nest with alpaca fur from an old but clean blanket I had. I now save fur.

Best of luck. Hope some survive, and either way you did a great job.

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

None survived, but I re-bred her today. Hope she does better next time...no news on Breezy. I "bred" her twice to Jack today, with many fall-offs both times, so either she kindles very soon, or.......if she reabsorbed the litter, she'll have kits in a month...and if she has a mummified kit in there and is infertile now, I'll lose my mind because oh man I adore that little blue ball of squishy fluff and I want kits out of her SO BADLY.

 

[Flemishstar]

Hopefully it will go great, best turn out is that she wasnt even pregnant and youll have a healthy litter end of July burrowed in a big nest full of poples!!!

Seth<br /><br />__________ Fri Jun 28, 2013 11:06 pm __________<br /><br />P.s. Do you know of anyone with Champagne dargents on the eastcoast, I want one sooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo Bad and I cant find ANY is scary, I LOVE their color and everything, I be willing to have it shipped or travel at this point lol, If you know anyone PM me im in ct
THANKYOU