Normal vs peanut
- Thread starter Tiny Buns
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They're so cute!
You have full sized babies, it just seems the two bottom ones need a bit of dinner. Are there only 3 in the litter? You could try to hold mom and let the littles go for dinner underneath on a towel or you could flip her and let them nurse (much easier to do with 2 people).
Or you could take the nest box out tonight, return it tomorrow morning with just the skinnies in it, and then when they're finished put Piglet in with them to wait for the night feeding.
You have full sized babies, it just seems the two bottom ones need a bit of dinner. Are there only 3 in the litter? You could try to hold mom and let the littles go for dinner underneath on a towel or you could flip her and let them nurse (much easier to do with 2 people).
Or you could take the nest box out tonight, return it tomorrow morning with just the skinnies in it, and then when they're finished put Piglet in with them to wait for the night feeding.
It's not time to panic yet, they're only a day old. Mark Fatty with permanent marker and if he's fat and the others are not tomorrow, then you could do the above suggestions. Those three are going to need each other for warmth, so I wouldn't go splitting up the trio--if anything, if the other doe has plenty o kits then you could foster one or two to this doe.
Ok. Be sure to give your doe that no longer has kits some mint to help dry her up. I learned here on RT that to expect first time litters to fail. The mothers usually do a crackin' job on their subsequent ones. Are you going to rebreed that doe?
Keep an eye on the threesome but no need to panic yet. Just mark Fatty to be sure it's siblings are eating also the next couple days. The fact that you have a Fatty means the doe is producing milk, which is good.
Keep an eye on the threesome but no need to panic yet. Just mark Fatty to be sure it's siblings are eating also the next couple days. The fact that you have a Fatty means the doe is producing milk, which is good.
You don't want to reduce the litter any more than it is. You will have trouble with temperature regulation and the does can dry up with only 1 kit. The kits might not be giving enough stimulation for milk as is. Depends on the breed and the individual rabbit. The one at the bottom will probably survive fine if the doe keeps producing milk but the one in the middle is in danger if it doesn't get a feeding in the next day. In 2 days you will have trouble getting it to nurse from lack of strength. If the doe is tame I would try turning her over between my knees and putting the kits on her. You can help the kits find the nipples that are the fullest and keep each one in place. This can be dangerous though because if the doe decides to try to flip or get loose the kits could be crushed or the toenails are often sharp enough to slice into them. I had a kit die because the doe panicked while I was trying to help hold her over the kits in the box and sliced it's throat with a back claw. Nervous rabbits make these things difficult.
The doe who is the mom is a crazy loon who is leaving my rabbitry as soon as possible. I have no hope of holding her down and assisting with anything, she would fight. She hates being picked up. We've had her since June, got her as senior with kits and 'Crazy Alice' is not settling into the routine of our rabbitry.
The doe who had the one DOA kit is my son's fav and it was her first litter, so we'll breed her again. She absolutely would allow an assisted lap feeding, she's a sweetie. Maybe I should foster all the babies to her because she has none and is gentle as a lamb?
The doe who had the one DOA kit is my son's fav and it was her first litter, so we'll breed her again. She absolutely would allow an assisted lap feeding, she's a sweetie. Maybe I should foster all the babies to her because she has none and is gentle as a lamb?
It might work to just give her all of them. Put the box with the kits at the front in the cage and just set her over it. If they squeak and squirm it's probably going right and make sure to hold onto her. Her first litter lost she hasn't gotten to feed any kits and it might be a surprise. After they settle down for a few minutes you can gently let them go so they either sit there or leave calmly. Check how much the kits got fed and if the small one didn't get anything you might have to flip the doe. Otherwise wait until tomorrow to see if she feeds them again on her own or if you have to try holding her over the box again.
Left all the kits with their mom. This morning found 2 cold and dead--fatty was one of them. No obvious marks. Both well fed, round tummies.
That leaves me with one of the skinnies. Not sure what to do with this little guy to help him survive as a singleton
That leaves me with one of the skinnies. Not sure what to do with this little guy to help him survive as a singleton
Bring him and the nest box inside and make sure he is staying warm. A warm water bottle or a rolled heating pad, just make sure he can get away swirm away from the heat if he gets to hot. Take him out twice a day for feedings.
I hope he makes it.
I hope he makes it.
macksmom98
Well-known member
Kind of hard to tell at first, when I was researching I found a lot of info that said true peanuts will be somewhat deformed as well. Maybe not to the point of looking totally different, but that there are some traits that peanuts usually have that point to their condition. Is this little guy looking (other than being smaller) any different from the rest? Kind of hard to see in this pic.
That looks like a runt, not a peanut. I had a runt who ended up being the biggest doe of the litter. I supplemented feeding Hungry for three days before she got the strength to elbow in with her sibs.
Honestly, Runty pants looks pretty much like everyone else just super tiny. Back legs look normal, just skiiiiiiiiiinny. I have only had 5 litters so far and no peanuts yet, so I'm not 100% sure what they look like.
So should I just try to supplement this the little weenie one? Do I use Oxbow critical care or the kitten formula?
So should I just try to supplement this the little weenie one? Do I use Oxbow critical care or the kitten formula?
macksmom98
Well-known member
There is a recipe on here for a good mixture. I think you use goats milk but diluted or something but don't hold me to that, see if anyone more experienced comes on to give you the exact suggestions of what to do with supplementing. I always find it's actually easier to use your Doe tho, if she's producing enough. I bring mine in with the runt only and either towel feed or flop her over on her back and let the kit nurse. Look for milk reside in the corners of the baby's mouth and on the teats, and you will know the baby is getting some. Be careful tho because if for any reason your doe decides to flip back over the baby can go flying!
macksmom98
Well-known member
Normal feeding time are early morning and before sundown here, so when I had this issue I did it a little before then. Around 7pm as sundown is around 8, to ensure the smaller one gets the first opportunity without it's siblings taking all the food
. I would start this evening just to make sure "runty" doesn't fall behind, but some other would wait and see if it will even be an issue. He may pick it up all on his own and be fine. Kind of depends on how much you want to intervene. Also keep in mind it takes time for moms milk to come in, and not knowing exactly when that will be, tonight may be too early for that. It should happen in the first 48 hrs sometime. So don't be discouraged if you don't see milk or it doesn't seem like it's working. It's normal for the babies not to eat much for the first day or so.
. I would start this evening just to make sure "runty" doesn't fall behind, but some other would wait and see if it will even be an issue. He may pick it up all on his own and be fine. Kind of depends on how much you want to intervene. Also keep in mind it takes time for moms milk to come in, and not knowing exactly when that will be, tonight may be too early for that. It should happen in the first 48 hrs sometime. So don't be discouraged if you don't see milk or it doesn't seem like it's working. It's normal for the babies not to eat much for the first day or so.
Start supplemental feedings whenever you like, but I started when I noticed the runt pushed to the bottom of the nest the second day. She didn't take very much at first with the dropper, so I did multiple feedings during the day. Make sure the formula is warm, almost hot!!
1/2 cup canned evaporated goat's milk (I made do with regular goat's milk)
1/2 teaspoon light corn syrup (Karo)
1 egg yolk
This recipe is good for 4-5 feedings. Feed until slightly rounded belly, but not too taut. Put the dropper between the lips but not the teeth! There may be times baby will choke cause too much went down the wrong pipe. Give it a swing downward to help clear it's throat.
Freeze the rest of the goat's milk in an ice cube tray--no waste and you'll have plenty for another time.
1/2 cup canned evaporated goat's milk (I made do with regular goat's milk)
1/2 teaspoon light corn syrup (Karo)
1 egg yolk
This recipe is good for 4-5 feedings. Feed until slightly rounded belly, but not too taut. Put the dropper between the lips but not the teeth! There may be times baby will choke cause too much went down the wrong pipe. Give it a swing downward to help clear it's throat.
Freeze the rest of the goat's milk in an ice cube tray--no waste and you'll have plenty for another time.
macksmom98
Well-known member
English Spot-when you sub real goats milk for the evaporated do you still use the 1/2 cup? Or does the measurement change? Then all of this just gets blended together right? I am saving this and checking for the ingredients locally so that if I ever do need it I won't have to hunt. Thanks for sharing!
