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Urgent advice please - re newborn rabbits
lexuslass
Forumite 2.3K Posts
Hi
My Netherland Dwarf had six babies today... three of them had already died when I found them
I have pretty much left her alone today as I didn't want to freak her out, but I've been up to give her fresh food and water and peeked in at them.. the three babies left seem to be scattered around the bedding part of the hutch... I have kept rabbits ever since I was little but haven't had baby ones for years - from what I can remember, until they start making their own way around, the babies were huddled up together (in a nest).
These just seem to be in different places and there's no nest - although each of them are covered in hay.
I don't want to move them or interfere or distress her in anyway but am a little concerned she is going to neglect them (or even worse attack them!!).
Can anyone advise me (if anything!!) what to do?
Thanks in advance!
My Netherland Dwarf had six babies today... three of them had already died when I found them
I have pretty much left her alone today as I didn't want to freak her out, but I've been up to give her fresh food and water and peeked in at them.. the three babies left seem to be scattered around the bedding part of the hutch... I have kept rabbits ever since I was little but haven't had baby ones for years - from what I can remember, until they start making their own way around, the babies were huddled up together (in a nest).
These just seem to be in different places and there's no nest - although each of them are covered in hay.
I don't want to move them or interfere or distress her in anyway but am a little concerned she is going to neglect them (or even worse attack them!!).
Can anyone advise me (if anything!!) what to do?
Thanks in advance!
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Sorry no useful advice as I've never kept rabbits - apart from to try ringing the RSPCA or another organisation to see if they can help.
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Try the rabbits united forum: http://forums.rabbitrehome.org.uk/
You could call the emergency vet too, I'm pretty sure you're doing the right thing by leaving them alone though, mum might decide to destroy the babies if they are handled by humans too soon.
Yes, I did know she was pregnant, I went up the garden to see to her this morning and things were fine.. came back from shopping about 2pm and they were all there! three dead ones
The problem will be that if you touch them, she might attack or reject them as they will smell different. Have you seen her do anything motherly towards them? Are they calling for her?
she is a little protective... when I go to the cage, she goes in front of them... she lets me stroke her at the front of the cage!
Apparently rabbits feed at night when it's calm, so I have left her and pray that she does exactly that!!
I haven't touched them...... but am still worried they are all scattered... is there a chance she may move them and make a nest? I don't hear them calling for her.. but have heard squeaks when she has stepped on them
2016 Sell: £125/£250
£1,000 Emergency Fund Challenge #78 £3.96 / £1,000
Debt free & determined to stay that way!
Thank you for asking... I went up a while ago and the three babies have all died!!!
I'm wondering if there was something wrong with them - sometimes animals can tell if there is and the babies won't survive and they don't nurture them properly as a result.
2016 Sell: £125/£250
£1,000 Emergency Fund Challenge #78 £3.96 / £1,000
Debt free & determined to stay that way!
I'm very sorry to hear that. Maybe the best thing now would be to get mum neutered or not allow her to get pregnant again.