One of our bunnies had a litter of five about a week ago. The kits are just starting to get their fur, and are SO CUTE! Today, my wife found that one of them had died, however, and another was pretty lethargic. There isn't anything visibly wrong with the others, but we're kind of worried that perhaps the mother isn't feeding them or something? The nest is nice and cozy, so they aren't getting cold. Any ideas? Is there anything that we can do to increase their chances for survival?

Thanks,

Chuck

-- chuck in md (woah@mission4me.com), December 18, 2001

Answers

Response to kits kicking the bucket

try feeding them with a kitten bottle

-- stan (sopal@net-port.com), December 18, 2001.

Chuck, do the babies have nice big bellies? If they look thin, they're not getting enough to eat. You might need to bring them in the house and hand feed them. If you need to do so, here is a recipe I found for rabbit milk replacer:

To a pint of whole milk, (preferably goat) add 1 egg, 1 T. honey or white corn syrup and 1/4 t. cod liver oil or infant vitamins. If possible mix in a blender to break up the chalaza in the egg. Feed at body temperature all they want twice a day.

Bunnies are only fed twice a day by their moms, so just space it out at 12 hour intervals. Best of luck to you! Please keep us posted on those little cuties.

-- Cheryl in KS (cherylmccoy@rocketmail.com), December 18, 2001.

I'd go with biologically dead stuff, rather than honey. Honey can inactivate bacteria, but leave them ready to explode when it's diluted. If you want to use honey, heat it in a container in a boiling-water bath first.

-- Don Armstrong (darmst@yahoo.com.au), December 18, 2001.

Bunnies feed flat on their back with feet in the air, unlike kittens or pups. If you nurse them you must feed them this way or they can aspirate and get milk in the lungs and die of pneumonia. karen

-- karen grandmaison (karengrandmaison@hotmail.com), December 18, 2001.

Hey Chuck, I have lost some babies because they attached themselves to the mother and don't want to let go when she is done and they are left out in the cold for a little while. I agree with if they are chunky they are being fed. Boy, you sure are having a time with these rabbits.

-- Dee (gdgtur@goes.com), December 19, 2001.

make sure the mother is not peeing in the box. If you have a really strong urine smell there may be just too much amonia and it is making them sick. My husband recommends you place a light over the box to make sure you have enough heat for the babies. He also said to increase the mothers food intake. She may not be making enought milk.

-- dee (tedanddee@msn.com), December 21, 2001.