Kit nursing/weaning questions

[TerriG]

I noticed while I was working in the rabbitry yesterday that one of my does was getting snippy with her kits. they were born 11/28, so they are 3 1/2 weeks old. I took out the nest box yesterday and then they were everywhere. This is her first litter. She just looked like me when I have a nursing baby and am just all touched out.

Then today I noticed that one of her kits had a messy butt (just starting), so I moved the litter to another cage and only gave them oats and hay. I planned on putting them in with her when I did evening chores.

Tonight I put them back in with the doe. She wouldn't let them nurse. I tried multiple different things to try to get her to nurse them. I even had to take her J-feeder out since the kit with the messy butt immediately went for them. I put the kit with the messy butt in front of her face to try to get her to clean the kit, thinking that it might kick in her instincts. I tried flipping her, and 2 kits latched on, but the other 2 didn't get what was going on. She was trying to kick them off (not strong, just "get off"). Then I grabbed her by her scruff and lifted her a little, leaving her back feet on the ground. The kits knew exactly what I was doing and immediately latched on. It took me doing this 3 times to feel like they got enough.

She was so mad at me. She actually boxed at me when I put her hay in. She has been a good Mom and has taken good care of the kits. We usually wean at 5 weeks. She is not re-bred at this point (will be next week. 4 week breed-back).

Am I better to just keep them out and wean them at this point? She just seems "done" with them. Should I keep trying?

 

[Frosted Rabbits]

Every doe has her limits-- some wean kits early, others will nurse forever...If possible, have the family in a large enough cage that the doe can 'get away'.

In the past, I had one doe deliver a second litter before weaning the first. And Marsha-- well, her kits were born 11/19, and she is quite happy to let the whole crew nurse a couple times a day. It looks quite interesting to see a doe get up high on all four feet, so the kits can dive under her!!

AS long as she stays in good condition, I let each doe decide when to cut off the kits! Your first timer may well feel a bit frazzled, she may be a bit more relaxed with the next litter.Right now, she may actually be drying up if the litter is stressing her.

 

[TerriG]

Thanks Terry. My other doe that kindled 2 days before this one is still nursing. I saw her nursing her kits this afternoon. I know exactly what you are talking about when you say that she lifts high on all four feet so that the kits can dive under her. It's funny to watch!

Her cage is 24"x46" with 31" of that being the main cage and the rest being a den area. The kits have barely wandered out of the nest box in the den until a few days ago (they were really late compared to our others. Maybe the cold weather?). I think that is what stressed her out. All of a sudden they are mobile! (I can relate, I have 5 kids)

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I have found that first time does especially are pretty appalled when their kits venture out of the nest and have unlimited access to the "milk bar". Like any new mother, they are a little overwhelmed, and like to have a place to escape to.

If you could give her an elevated area she will be happier. I hang 5 gallon plant pots in my cages and the rabbits love to lounge in them with or without kits.



When I am about to remove the nest box, I place a kitty litter jug in the cage so they get accustomed to using it as a shelter. Getting chilled seems to be a factor in weaning enteritis (diarrhea), and the jugs give the kits an area to snuggle in and conserve their body heat. I do put hay, shavings and pine pellets into the jugs initially. By the time it has been eaten or kicked out they no longer need it, but still get the heat retention of an enclosed space.



Of course, eventually the kits take over the bunnybuckets too, but by that point the doe is used to having her kits underfoot all day.

 

[TerriG]

I have seen your bunny buckets and have thought about how to make them work for our cages. We don't have completely solid wire cages. Our hutches have wooden backs. I also don't have cats anymore, so I have to figure out something different than the kitty litter jugs. I have even told my dh about your bunny buckets. Love them!

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Glad you like them. Hopefully you can find something that will work for you.

Even a sturdy cardboard box could work... if the doe can hop on top of it without crushing it, you could cut a small door in the box for the kits and put a little bedding inside. Another member just made shelters out of dishpans.

I think the most important thing is to give the kits an area where they can conserve their warmth off of the wire so they don't develop diarrhea.

 

[TerriG]

I did the dishpans yesterday They wouldn't use them upside down though. Once I turned them over and added bedding, they all (3 different litters) started using them. So they have those, but it doesn't really give the doe a place to get away.

My does always seem so relieved when they get that break in between litters. It's almost like you can see them relaxing, lol!<br /><br />__________ Mon Dec 24, 2012 12:27 am __________<br /><br />

 

[MamaSheepdog]

I did the dishpans yesterday They wouldn't use them upside down though.

Lol... that was you I was referring to!

Sorry- too many things going on with Christmas preparations for me to keep everybody straight.

 

[Dragongreg]

MDS when you get through the Christmas rush and settle back down could you provide a little more info on the nesting box / arrangement in the pictures above. We are still experimenting with a few different versions from summer time metel box (wood floors) to the rubber made plastic trays.

Always looking for new ideas!

Merry Christmas and thanks!

 

[TerriG]

I did the dishpans yesterday They wouldn't use them upside down though.

Lol... that was you I was referring to!

Sorry- too many things going on with Christmas preparations for me to keep everybody straight.

I'm pretty new, so I cut you some slack. I was just thrilled that you thought it was a good enough idea to recommend it! <br /><br />__________ Mon Dec 24, 2012 12:13 pm __________<br /><br />Went out to do morning chores and heard the doe chewing on her cage. On a whim decided to put the kits in with her. She was in the den and the kits immediately went in there. I noticed her starting to nuzzle them and then she nursed them!!! A good long nursing. They were so milk drunk. The little one with the messy butt is getting cleaner and cleaner. Mom took some extra time to work on cleaning her up. I think a couple more days and I will start reintroducing pellets to the kits. Guess she's a morning nurser instead of a night nurser. I still think I will keep the kits and her separated so that I can control what they are eating.

 

[lissapell]

Msd,
How do u hang the pots? I was going to try zip ties but am concerned they wont hold.<br /><br />__________ Fri Dec 28, 2012 1:03 am __________<br /><br />Just found your tut on the bunny buckets!