Sad News and Mastitis Question

[Heritage Homestead]

I went out to take care of the rabbits this morning and found the bunnies all mostly frozen. I brought them inside and started to warm them up. I was able to save 3, but I lost the other 6. I know that several of you take the nesting boxes inside in the evening, but I haven't. One reason being that I didn't want them missing a meal and I thought they would be fine. The other reason being that I really have no good place to put them inside since we have a lot of little kids and my 3 year old brother loves the rabbits and doesn't always listen very well when told no. I knew it was getting a little chilly in the evenings, but I thought the doe's fur would keep them warm enough. I should have kept an eye on how chilly it was. Needless to say I am beating myself upside the head for doing something so stupid! :wall:
I spent most of the morning crying. :cry_baby: I plan on bringing them in from now on. I can just bring them in after the kids are in bed for the night (why didn't I think of this sooner?). I am praying that the second years learning curve is not so painful.

Question:
I was talking with my Mom this morning and she brought up a concern. Now that Dough only has the 3 kits to feed instead of the original 9 she was making milk for will she be more likely to develop mastitis?
I would greatly appreciate any advice.
Thanks

 

[Piper]

Question:
I was talking with my Mom this morning and she brought up a concern. Now that Dough only has the 3 kits to feed instead of the original 9 she was making milk for will she be more likely to develop mastitis?
I would greatly appreciate any advice.
Thanks

I do not know about the mastitis, but if you have problems at weaning, it may be "weaning enteritis from gorging"
You may also have a problem, because they became chilled.'
http://www.nadis.org.uk/bulletins/small ... scour.aspx
Here is a thread, about that wet-bum-t9717.html

 

[MaggieJ]

Most likely all will be okay... but do monitor the situation and be vigilant for signs of problems. Usually the doe's milk supply will adjust fairly quickly to the demand - or lessening of demand.

I had a doe that kindled a normal litter but due to some disruptions in the colony only had one kit survive. She had no problems... but we soon found that the kit could only be left with her for a short time morning and evening. The little glutton would have killed himself.

The glutton is now our herd sire, Pudge, and is no longer Pudgy.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Oh no!!! I'm sorry, HH.

I don't bring mine in either, and haven't had any problems. It sounds like there is not enough bedding and fur in the nest. What type of nest is it? Can you either take pics of it, or describe it to us? I just can't imagine that it got that cold already... :?

 

[skysthelimit]

I do bring mines in, did from January to about mid April. It's only 58F right now in Cleveland and the low will be 45F. I have plastic nest tubs in the winter. At first, I was afraid that Phoenix (dog) would eat them. However, I just put them on a high shelf and they've been fine. I take them out in the morning and bring them back in before I leave work, then they go out when I do chores after work, and come back in all night long. I don't heat the whole house when I am here, and I never heat the house when I'm gone, but it's not as cold as the barn.

 

[Heritage Homestead]

Thank you all for your advice and sympathy.
Below is a picture of the nest.
Skysthelimit, our weather is about the same as yours.
[album]1181[/album]

It isn't the best picture, but it is all I have for now. I have a sleeping baby right now, so I can't take any new ones.
The fur was a little spread out when I got out there this morning and you could see some of the bunnies. I know one thing, it won't happen again if I can help it.
Thanks again.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

What was your low temp last night?

With all of that fur pulled, I find it hard to believe they got too cold. Maybe they overheated and spread out and then got chilled?

 

[luvabunny]

To me that nest looks to be just fine for even the coolest temps. I'm with MamaSheepdog in that they got too warm and spread out. Sometimes that flusters new Mama's and they stomp the babies in their useless efforts to round them all up again.

Don't forget, if you are bringing them into your nice, warm 75 degree house, to remove all that fluff, or you will do more damage taking them in and out than just leaving them out.

I don't imagine your doe will have any problems. The 3 remaining buns will probably get good and fat. Fat helps to create heat. Plus-es all around. Good luck, and don't beat yourself up. None of us get everything right the first time.

 

[Almazing rabbits]

can't get things right the first time or the second time or the therd time or the ||||||||||||||||||||||||| time.

 

[Heritage Homestead]

Okay, I finally found time to sit back down! I had to spend most of the morning working with the cow. AND... You all got me to get out the camera and I went a little crazy! I have a bunch of pictures of our adorable animals on the farm that I just took. As soon as I have time I plan to post some on here.
MSD, the lows were low 40s that night.

I had them in all night and made sure to take off some of that fur. This morning all was well. I took them out to Mama and she got right in there and let them eat. I went out a little bit later and she was still in there, but they were all nestled down sleeping (with nice full bellies!). A little bit later I found her still in there, but one of the little guys had decided to take advantage of it and was eating again! His belly was already nice and full, so I brought them all back inside for the day. Guess I'll have to keep doing that is they are going to be greedy.

One more question...
For those of you who bring in your nesting boxes (or anyone else for that matter), when do you think it would be safe to leave them out there during the night? Sooner or later they are going to be able to get out of whatever I put them in and I don't want stray rabbits all over the place (my sister would have my head! :bash: ). Of course they would have to learn not to be greedy first. Just confused on how I should work this. :?

 

[3mina]

When they've got fur is when I'd do it, so at about a week, maybe sooner?

 

[OneAcreFarm]

What I did when it was so hot was bring the nestboxes in and put them in the bathtub or closet and shut the door. After about a week, I would put the kits in a bucket with hay in the bottom and bring them in the house in the bucket. At two weeks, they stayed outside.

 

[skysthelimit]

One more question...
For those of you who bring in your nesting boxes (or anyone else for that matter), when do you think it would be safe to leave them out there during the night? Sooner or later they are going to be able to get out of whatever I put them in and I don't want stray rabbits all over the place (my sister would have my head! :bash: ). Of course they would have to learn not to be greedy first. Just confused on how I should work this. :?

Usually when they are old enough to climb out of the nestbox, and I can't safely keep them on a shelf, they go outside.

 

[Heritage Homestead]

Thanks ya all! This does give me a very good idea of how to play things. Hopefully these 3 will grow up to be nice healthy bunnies and a nice addition to the group.
Thanks again! I don't know what I would do without you all (I would probably give up in despair).

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

A little bit later I found her still in there,

that isnt normal.. She shouldnt still be in there. I think in this case you bring them in is saveing the rest of the litter. Do you have a board or something for her to get off the wire. ? Sounds like she likes to rest in the box. And the other frozen. Are you sure she isnt peeing in the box. With a nest like that and frozen babies. She is peeing in the box. Something isnt right here. It isnt your fault...<br /><br />__________ Fri Sep 21, 2012 2:02 pm __________<br /><br />

I have plastic nest tubs in the winter

Sky do you have pictures of these.

 

[Heritage Homestead]

Her sitting in them that long is not normal for her. She usally is in and out. There was no pee in there. I just thought it was because she was not used to the bunnies being gone that long and wanted to watch over them for awhile. This was only her 2nd litter and the 1st was always with her.
Glad I am doing thr right thing though!
Oh, and no, I don't have a board in there with her.