Two popples not thriving...

[Maxine]

Hello. Well, Licorice had 8 instead of 6 this kindle. She has two real tiny runts. Literally, half the size of the other 6. They look unfed. I took the big ones out and brought them in the house. I put her over the skinny 2 and she nursed but they don't look like they were getting milk. Should I just keep these 6 in the house all day and see if she will nurse those 2? Or do you think I should switch 2 of Ginger's(my other doe) fatties with Licorice's two skinny ones and see if Ginger can feed them better? She seems to have plenty of milk to go around for all her babies. I hate to lose any. Sad.

 

[MaggieJ]

No way that I know of to be sure what will work. You could try them with Ginger if they aren't fed by tonight. Nothing to lose by trying.

 

[AnnClaire]

If Ginger's group is plump and growing well, it won't hurt them to miss a meal to give the littlest ones a chance at a full belly. Once they are full, pull them and put Ginger's back in and she will feed them too.

Also, is Ginger feeding 2x per day? If so, put the littlest ones in with hers the morning feeding and back with mother for the evening feeding ... once they get a full belly, they will have energy to fight for their place at the milk bar, so you might not need to do this at all.

I find that if a kit is going to be pushed out, it will happen in the first 2 days, so getting them a full belly for a couple of days gives the runts plenty of energy!

 

[Maxine]

I'll try the ol' switcheroo. See what happens.

Thanks guys.

 

[coffeenutdesigns]

I've been swapping small ones for bigger ones among my litters. It seems to be working.

 

[Maxine]

Well that is encouraging. I'm worried that I noticed too soon. I wasn't feeling good yesterday so I didn't bring the popples in the house and check on them. Just scanned them from the hutch. One looks soooo bad. Moving around good and when I put mama over it, it rooted around and appeared to latch on. We'll see I guess. Hope for the best.

 

[ladysown]

what kind of bunnies are they? the little ones aren't peanuts are they?

 

[Maxine]

They are Cali mix. By peanut you mean the mini's?

 

[Dood]

Peanut = rabbit with two dwarf genes.

Dwarf= rabbit with one dwarf gene

False dwarf= rabbit with no dwarf gene but came from a dwarf breed ie holland lop, fuzzy lop, jersey wooly, polish, Netherland dwarf, lionhead etc... NOT Mini Lops

 

[Maxine]

Well that is encouraging. I'm worried that I noticed too soon. I wasn't feeling good yesterday so I didn't bring the popples in the house and check on them. Just scanned them from the hutch. One looks soooo bad. Moving around good and when I put mama over it, it rooted around and appeared to latch on. We'll see I guess. Hope for the best.

By notice too soon I actually meant noticed too late. :/

__________ Mon Mar 04, 2013 8:33 am __________

Oh and no dwarf genes that I know of....they have the sunken body look of an unfed popple. Off to go check on them now.<br /><br />__________ Mon Mar 04, 2013 8:43 am __________<br /><br />Yippee, they are fed and popping around!!

 

[MaggieJ]

That's great!

 

[Maxine]

Well, I brought Licorice's brood in this morning and the two I put in with hers from Ginger's seem so much smaller than Licorice's 6. What is the deal? Is it possible that Licorice only has milk in 6 nipples? I can't imagine them not fighting for the nipple. I guess I'll switch out two more. Crazy wabbits!

 

[AnnClaire]

Since they got a good meal from Licorice, maybe put them back in with Ginger?

 

[Maxine]

Today all 16 popples are well-fed. A few runts between both litters now. They are fed, so I am happy.