yikes! 11 day old kits out of the nestbox!

[faiththequeen]

I walked in tonight to check on the babies and all 4 almost 12 day old kits were out of the nestbox trying to eat hay!!! :shock: Um, what? Isn't it quite early for this? I put them all back in and built the nest up a bit more with hay. Hopefully this helps. Only 2 have their eyes open, so it was quite a surprise. Although, I have to say, it was ADORABLE! Had I not been totally panicked, I would've taken a picture!

 

[MamaMandy]

Does seem a bit early...have they all even opened their eyes yet?

 

[ZRabbits]

Have to say Luna's kits were venturing out of the box at that age. And were in her food bowl, along with nibbling hay. I did the same thing you did, lol. Panicked and put them all back into the box. All but one had their eyes open at that time. But the next day, especially after Luna fed them (must be an energy boost) they all came out again. I just watched as they practiced getting in and out of the box. And then they settled back down in their box. Just so funny. This became their pattern every night. And each day they explored more and more of the crate. It was amazing to watch.

Karen

 

[faiththequeen]

Well, I ran in there to peek this morning (BEFORE my coffee!!!) And everyone looked snuggled down in the nest. Ill be getting them out and checking more thoroughly after my coffee!

 

[luvabunny]

They are fine. Bunnies come out of the nestbox when they are ready. As long as you make sure they are all tucked back in at night for a few days, don't worry, they are just developing.

I've had lots that came out well before their eyes were fully open. Snuggled up to Mama in a big bunny furpile and were completely content.

If they seem to be coming out way too early, first clean your nestbox. Kits will often vacate if its unclean. Then, when you refill, put in way less hay to make it harder to get out. If the floor is lower they may not bounce out quite so quickly. This will slow them down for a day or two, but generally, once they start coming out, there's no stopping them.

This is my favorite age. So bouncy! Watch to make sure they don't land in the water bowl. I usually use a very shallow dish at this point and refill often as needed. If they are outside and it's cold, a bottle may be best for a couple of days.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Make sure they have a way to get back into the nest. MaggieJ puts a brick in front of the box to act as a step. If only one or two kits gets out they can get chilled even being in the house. I put plastic cat litter jugs in the cages with hay or shavings in it so they have a warm place to snuggle off of the wire.

Have fun with them! They are so cute at that age.

 

[Lost Creek]

I just LOVE this forum!

I have a litter of 10 NZW kits, and caught them doing the exact same thing just yesterday, and yes...I panicked and put the 5 of them who were out, right back in the nest box. The litter was born 11/14/12, so they were just 8 days old. none of them have their eyes open yet, but they're getting close. When is the norm for eyes opening, anyway?

My thanks to each of you!

 

[Miss M]

When I find them out of the nest before 10 days, or before their eyes open, whichever is later, I rearrange the nest so there is very little material in front of the low part. This usually keeps them in for a few more days.

I just did this a few days ago with Yuki's kits. I found two of them huddled in a corner at a week of age. Now all their eyes are open, and they're about to be constantly underfoot. For Yuki, anyway.

I still make sure they're all in the box at night until they're 2 weeks old. I'm a worry-wart.

 

[ZRabbits]

I just LOVE this forum!

I have a litter of 10 NZW kits, and caught them doing the exact same thing just yesterday, and yes...I panicked and put the 5 of them who were out, right back in the nest box. The litter was born 11/14/12, so they were just 8 days old. none of them have their eyes open yet, but they're getting close. When is the norm for eyes opening, anyway?

My thanks to each of you!

Congratulations on your 10 NZW kits. When I had my first litter, MamaSheepdog gave me some information on when their eyes should be open, which normally is 10-12 days. I did read other articles that said it could be as late as 14 days. Mamasheepdog also informed me what to do if they don't. Warm water on a sterile towel wiped lightly over the eye to soften helped one of my kits. Skysthelimit suggested a q-tip, but I'm not good with stick-like objects. Being this was my first litter and was nervous, didn't want to poke the kit in the eye. So I used a sterile washrag. Worked well.

Let us know when they have opened their eyes. It's just neat to see!

Karen

 

[faiththequeen]

Thanks so much, guys! They are 2 weeks old today (I will be posting pictures today) They are hopping in and out of the nestbox pretty easily as of last night. Its ADORABLE!! When I went in to check on them this morning, one hopped right out and up to the door to greet me :lol:

My littlest one still didn't have her eyes open this morning. Because of the previous post, I cleaned them with a warm washcloth and they opened right up. Still not as wide eyed as everyone else, but I think she'll be okay.

 

[Secuono]

Mine seem to be staying in the nest an extra week, because it's so cold? Last litter didn't actually leave the nest for more than a second until 3wks, actually out and ok with it when they turned 4wks. Current litter is 3wks and no signs of them wanting to even look out the nest.
I wouldn't be happy if any kits were out at 12days here, way too cold for them and possibly dangerous.

 

[faiththequeen]

Mine seem to be staying in the nest an extra week, because it's so cold? Last litter didn't actually leave the nest for more than a second until 3wks, actually out and ok with it when they turned 4wks. Current litter is 3wks and no signs of them wanting to even look out the nest.
I wouldn't be happy if any kits were out at 12days here, way too cold for them and possibly dangerous.

Our buns are in the house, so it's nice and warm

 

[Miss M]

They are hopping in and out of the nestbox pretty easily as of last night. Its ADORABLE!! When I went in to check on them this morning, one hopped right out and up to the door to greet me :lol:

That is the cutest thing! You see this little fuzzy head and ears pop up over the edge and look around curiously, and then *pop* the baby springs out of the box! :lol: