Please help with baby bunnies!

[Darcy]

Hello all, I’m glad I found what appears to be a great active rabbit forum!  With that said, I have an indoor rabbit, but she usually stays in a giant dog kennel (let out daily to roam in the house).  I actually use a giant comforter on the bottom of her cage, (roll it up and shake outside, and then wash to clean it).  Anyway, to my surprise, I woke up to a pile of her fur this morning.  Upon investigating more, I found 4 babies that she kind of has tucked under the comforter.  My question is – Can I move them?  I can put a box in there with straw or a smaller blanket too?  Or should I leave them be?

Also, FWIW, we have another rabbit, and they are let out in the house sometimes together….  (thus her pregnancy).  We’ve only had them since last August, so new to owning rabbits!

Any help would be appreciated with the babies.  Thank you!

[Mikey]

Intentional breeding isnt allowed on this website, and to be honest, letting out a male and female on purpose together counts as an intentional pregnancy. A better place to take this to would be http://www.rabbitsonline.net/

To answer your question on moving the nest, you can but you shouldnt. The nest seems like its in a secure place where mommy bun can easily access it. Obviously, just dont clean it for the next month to avoid harm to the babies.

[Bam]

Here are a few links from our Resources-page with info about new babies:

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/surpriselitter.html
http://www.rabbit.org/care/babies.html
http://www.rabbit.org/care/newborn.html
http://www.mybunny.org/info/caring-for-newborn-baby-rabbits/

If mama bun has made a nice nest and the buns can’t crawl or fall out of it and get cold, you can probably leave it as it is. Mama buns feed their kits once or twice per 24 hours and do not lie with their kits like cats and dogs do. You can check the kits after feeding to see so their tummies are nice and round. Feeding is quick, so you might miss it.

If your bun regularly meets the other rabbit she might already be preganant again, which obviously would be bad for all the babies, because two litters is quite a handful and the second litter might not survive.

Please note that the subject of intentional breeding is prohibited on the Binky Bunny forums. This also means we have few members that have experience with new mothers and kits. There is another active rabbit forum, Rabbits Online, that has a section dedicated to breeding and showing rabbits, the Rabbitry and Showroom. Here’s a link to that section: http://www.rabbitsonline.net/forumdisplay.php?f=20

[jerseygirl]

Unfortunately, a lot of people get caught out when they’re new to rabbits. Either they thought their rabbits were same gender, or were not aware of the age they can become sexually mature. Or not aware that litter mates can procreate. With a rabbit only building a nest close to when they are going to birth the kits, often that’s the only clue people get ahead of time.

Can you see if she has been feeding all the babies?

[Darcy]

Appreciate the help everyone. Yes, when we got our rabbits we were told they were males. Obviously, not the case! Thanks again.

[Darcy]

So much information, thank you!  Yes, will definitely keep them apart from here on out.

[Author]

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