mother with no milk

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

I had a doe that had 8 babies that they are now one week old. I notice the babies dying. I checked mom. She had no milk at all. What would cause this as she had a litter before this one no problem.<br /><br />__________ Mon May 21, 2012 6:14 am __________<br /><br />ANYONE?

 

[Cattle Cait]

I think there's some herbs that could make her dry up, if she's getting any weeds or scraps. Not sure what would entice the milk to let down though...is she dehydrated?

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

she dosnt get any herbs. she has water all the time. No bottles.water cups.

 

[Cattle Cait]

What percentage is the feed?

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

I dont feed pellets. grains, and hay and grass ect. But no herbs. I dont have any.

 

[MaggieJ]

Mary Ann, what kind of hay are you feeding? The problem may possibly be related to not enough protein in the rabbits' diet.

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

One day it will be alfalfa and the next it will be grass and i go back and forth like that. I had to many does that are getting to rich in food because they were having the extra night poops as i called it. I still notice some today.They are getting very little Boss.This doe had a litter before this one with no problems but with 5 babies not 8. She raised these ones to one week. I dont know what happened. Would it be the heat? I saved 2 babies out of them and gave them to a mom that has 2.5 week old babies. So far so good. The 2.5 weeks old will not stay in there box as it is to hot for them. Every other doe has babies and have no problem with there milk. But maybe she needed more protein then the others. I wouldnt known that. I have beet pulp on order it should be here on thurday. That should up the protein some. Right?

 

[MaggieJ]

If she's getting a fair bit of alfalfa hay, then protein levels are probably not the problem. There are herbs and plants reputed to increase milk supply. Here are a couple of links if you want to look into this as a possible solution.

http://www.healthypetcorner.com/rabbit.html
http://twohunnyzrabbitry.webs.com/herbinformation.htm