Well, that didn't go as planned...

The_Dutchess · May 31, 2014

This afternoon the babies were really hot and one was showing definate signs of heat distress. So I took them inside for a bit but after they were cool I put them back with a couple ziploc baggies of ice. Well, ice doesn't really cool them off unless they lay next to it, and they never stay still, so that didn't do much good. And we had to go away. So I put them in the wire part of the cage to get better ventilation and I gave them the nestbox and cardboard to go on since they don't like walking on the wire. But some of the babies wouldn't stay in the wire part and I didn't want to block the wood part because if I did then Lovey would definately in some way hurt the kits whether by accident or on purpose, because she does NOT like the kits out of the nestbox let alone on "her" territory. They were trying to nurse but she wouldn't let them. If they keep trying and she won't let them will they stop nursing when they need to? And will the babies that won't stay on the wire die of heat stroke? I am gone right now and I can't tend to them and I am worried sick about them. Will it be okay?

Miss M · Jun 1, 2014

Okay, so they're 11 days old now and keep leaving the nestbox. I had to go find how old they were again.

I've never actually seen a baby in heat distress, despite being in southern Louisiana. What were you seeing?

But about the babies and Lovey --

What you are seeing is normal. The kits will get out of the box, and they're everywhere but where the doe wants them to be. They'll try to sneak snacks in between meals, and as soon as they find a nipple, the doe will jump away. She'll act like, "GAH! I liked them better in the nestbox! Make them stay in the nestbox!" But she'll just have to get used to them being underfoot and trying to steal snacks.

She will decide when it's feeding time, and when it is, they'll be right there fighting for places at the dinner table.

I've seen a couple of does get absolutely desperate at this stage, when the doe doesn't have a moment's peace. But it won't be long before they'll be starting to nibble her food and hay, and they'll have something else to do besides pester her all day.

As far as the heat goes, you can remove most of the nest material from the box, maybe just leaving a pad of it in the back. Then you can try putting them in the nest box again. It's possible it may take them a couple of days to figure a way out again, but I wouldn't hold my breath. You'll just need to watch for full tummies, to make sure that nobunny is missing feeding time too many times.

The_Dutchess · Jun 1, 2014

Ok. They are 13 days old actually. They are trying to eat grass because sometimes I'll take them out and play with them on the grass. Is this ok for them at this age? Will it mess up their stomachs?

Miss M · Jun 1, 2014

Baby bunnies on the grass... what could be more adorable?

I would think it's okay, because they're so young, actually. I think it was Maggie who recently explained that if they start nibbling when they're just a couple of weeks old, their bodies will have a chance to adjust, because they won't be able to eat very much. If they started eating grass in another week or two, they might down too much of it at once, and end up with tummy troubles.

So I would think as long as it's something you are doing regularly, it should be okay.

Terrible, huh? I'm encouraging you to play with baby bunnies on the grass. :lol: <br /><br /> -- Sun Jun 01, 2014 11:27 am -- <br /><br /> By the way, pictures of that would be too adorable for words. Hint, hint.

The_Dutchess · Jun 1, 2014

Ok I've been doing it every day for 3 days and plan to keep doing it every day. And thanks for encouraging me to play with baby bunnies on the grass, because now I can tell my parents someone recommended for me to regularly let them out to graze.

And I will get you guys pictures or maybe a video of them scampering around on the grass. But today I'm busy. And I have band camp and work and school all next week but I'll get you pictures as soon as I can.