New mother won't keep litter covered

[HoppyMeal]

My New momma Silver had a litter of 10 buns last Tuesday and the other new momma Cocoa had a liter of 8 and had 3 on the wire which died. The problem I am Having is Cocoa pulled some hair and her kits are doing alright I added some hair from another rabbit and I can't seem to pull anymore hair out of her although her buns are fine.

Silver on the other hand out of the 10 kits, one died and the others are doing good, but she will not pull hair to keep them covered up. I pulled hair out of her twice yesterday and put it on her litter. as soon as I leave she goes in their and uncovers them. If I cover them up with hay then she goes in there and uncovers the kits and eats the hay. I am worried about this cold weather coming down today it is freezing rain, snow and sleet. The temp is supposed to get down to 14 degrees throughout the day and tomorrow morning and the next is supposed to be 0 and 3. Any suggestions?

Hoppymeal

 

[Lizardslaps]

You can add some dryer lint to it and that works great or you could bring the nest box inside for the night

 

[HoppyMeal]

how will the mother react to the smell of the dryer lint?

 

[DumansArk]

Other members have had success with the lint. You could also try pulling the nestbox and keeping it inside the house if you have a safe place for it - then you take the nest out to Cocoa twice a day so she can nurse them.

Since she is a new mother, I will add that I have had some wacky rabbits over the years. While others can use this method without fail, when I have a rabbit too dull to keep her litter covered or bedded in hay, she is often too dull to feed or accept feeding the kits again.

I hope your experience is much better with Cocoa though! Some does just need to get the hang of things <br /><br /> -- Sun Mar 02, 2014 9:08 am -- <br /><br /> PS - CONGRATS ON THE LITTERS!!! =) Babies are always fun. Who knew the weather would be this crazy - I planned litters for the end of (Normally) mild March and... freezing, then 60s, then sub zero, then rain... WEIRD year.

 

[HoppyMeal]

Update,
I added lint to Silver's nest box. The next morning all 9 were cold because the mother uncovered them and left them exposed to the elements. I was able to revive 3. The others died. I now am bringing the nest boxes in the house.

Last week I had a rabbit that was pregnant unbeknownst to me and came home from church and had 10 dead kits on the wire. this bun got pregnant at 14 1/2 weeks by her sibling. So in the last 7 days I have lost 19 kits.

On a happier note I had a new mom give birth to 10 kits with 1 dead. So tonight I will bring in 3 nest boxes.