Question for those who have taken care of babies & mom

[Hedi]

Our shelter mommy Carmella should be due any time. I didnt go in today so they very well could have already made their grand entrance. I have plenty of alfalfa hay, timothy hay and even alfalfa pellets for mom.

My question-can I continue to supplement her diet with veggies and a little fruit? I dont really know the protocol and I never really found this info online (or I missed it).

I did leave very detailed directions (and laminated them) for the other shelter workers regarding her feedings, and her nesting box but I was giving her the normal veggies and a little fruit prior to delivering and wanted to make sure I could/should continue this?

[osprey]

Veggies and fruit are fine (he says with confidence, never having dealt with newborns.)  Mom will need loads of calories for lactation, so it is excellent that you managed to scare up some alfalfa for her.  The babies will start to nibble on it too once their eyes open.  Good luck with them!

 

[Flo]

I am definetly no expert but my limited experience was that Flo was famished whilst pregnant and feeding bunnies and loved all food of all kinds and lots of it. And double the amount of water!

Perhaps someone may be able to help me Flo is still feeding her babies and whilst pregnant and during feeding she has become a very messy rabbit leaving runny poop every where through her cage.  She was eating it back up but isnt any longer.  She is now only on unlimited Hay and balanced rabbit food as any vege or treats exasperate this.  Any thoughts on this.

[BinkyBunny]

When it comes to this subject, I am too still learning. I do know that the mother should have unlimited pellets. I do have a section in my links area that is dedicated to pregnant and nursing rabbits.

https://binkybunny.com/Default.aspx?tabid=67   (scroll down to "Uh oh, Suprise Litter?"

I pasted this next factoid from one of the articles by Dana Krempels, Ph.D.

Make sure mama has a varied bounty of unlimited food and water.  

• Feed mama unlimited pellets, leafy green vegetables and grass hay, and be sure she always has a plentiful supply of clean, fresh water.
• The babies will begin to nibble at solid food as early as two weeks of age. However, they must not be weaned for a FULL EIGHT WEEKS AFTER BIRTH!

And if you find any great sites or links regardindg this subject while you are asking around, let me know, and I’ll add them to the links.

[Hedi]

I will store this away for another day when we do have babies.

Read my post in the Rescue bunny under "shes pregnant." Long story she wasnt but had an enlarged uterus.

[Author]

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