What am I doing wrong? Mystery illness killing baby rabbits.

[Mini Lop Mama]

I have a lot of chickens, snakes, some eagles, pigeons, my rabbits, my cat and my two dogs.

But does anyone around you have cows, goats, pigs, ect?

 

[Cosima]

on the other islands yes. me and my family are the only people on the island I live on.

 

[Mini Lop Mama]

on the other islands yes. me and my family are the only people on the island I live on.

Is it similar to the others? So this might mean they have access to hay and such.

This sounds like a made up story So neat!

 

[Cosima]

It’s not made up.

 

[Mini Lop Mama]

It’s not made up.

Oh, I believe you. So towards South America?

 

[Cosima]

Indonesia.

 

[Mini Lop Mama]

Indonesia.

WOW! That is awesome! How many rabbits do you have?

 

[Cosima]

5 and 4 babies.

 

[Mini Lop Mama]

5 and 4 babies.

Aw. Well good luck, grass should be the most natural thing to feed them. I am sure their bodies will adjust over time and adapt to their surroundings, especially after multiple generations.

 

[Cosima]

i have no idea how long my rabbits have been bred here that’s why they’re not permanent heat sterile.

 

[Cosima]

I’m doing a few things so even if it shows that I’m not online I am.

 

[jaxmarblebuns]

Lack of nutrition is my best guess. Just because their bellies are not bloated doesn’t mean it can’t be a dietary problem.

Identify what you are feeding your animals is very important. Not only should you know to make sure it is safe, but also to make sure they are getting all the nutrients they need. I suggest that be your top priority right now.

I saw that you said you cannot grow grass/don’t have grass. However, if you cannot/choose not to feed pellets grass/hay is almost always a must to ensure they are getting the proper nutrients they need. Have you looked into a fodder system? If you do those right you should only have to buy the seeds once, (I assume getting delivered can be a bit of hassle where you are.)

 

[Cosima]

They are not bloated. I am considering getting pellets so they can get all the nutrition they need.

 

[ThunderHill]

Hi! I put pictures of your plants into my plant ID app, and the one on the right came back as possibly being White Snakeroot, Ageratina altissima, which is highly toxic. Of course those apps aren't always right, especially when it's not a great picture, but I wanted to let you know just in case!

 

[Cosima]

yikes, I will stop feeding that leaf to my rabbits. The only thing is that apparently the White snakeroot grows in woody areas and the island I live on is sandy and not woody.

 

[Cosima]

If you want to put these two pictures through your pant id app it would be nice.

 

[Cosima]

Could the White snakeroot be the thing killing my baby rabbits?

 

[RabbitsOfTheCreek]

You dont have grass? Then what do you have? Is it just dirt?

 

[Buknee]

If you have wheat berries, start growing fodder for them since grass is not readily available. You could also grow a rabbit garden. Kale, Swiss Chard, parsley, carrots, alfalfa, etc... (Give them the carrot greens. Carrot pieces sparingly as a treat.)
It sounds like they are not getting near enough nutrition. Old fashioned oats and BOSS can also help supplement but don't give them too much.
I do feed my rabbits pellets, but they also get all of the above.

 

[Buknee]

Could the White snakeroot be the thing killing my baby rabbits?

Oh goodness! Yes. Stop feeding it to them immediately.
"White snakeroot. All parts are poisonous, especially to dogs, horses, rabbits. Wild and domestic cherry. Leaves and stems are highly toxic."