Satin Baby rabbits first milk

by Majestic Dragon Ranch
(Missouri)

Hi, I posted a question in the pregnant doe section about my Satin doe. Well my other satin doe just kindled 5 kits, one died. I even got to see the birth! But she's not nursed the kits at all. Do they need to eat right off? Or are they okay until night?


She didn't have a nest built and had them on the floor of her cage which I luckily hadn't raised off the ground yet. This is her first litter. She was also stepping on them, which is what I think killed the one that didn't make it. I brought mama and the litter inside and made her a nice nest, I'm keeping an eye on her.

I did handle the little ones as I had no other choice and people are telling me that's why she's not nursing. I figure I'll check them tomorrow and see how their tummies look. If she's not nursing them and my other doe won't accept them, what should I do? I know bottle fed rabbits have a largely decreased chance of living, would goats milk work for bunnies?

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Apr 21, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Re: kits
by: Anonymous

I can tell she's nursed the babies and shes helping them go to the bathroom, I think once I get her nest ready she'll get the Idea. I was gone for a few hours today and all the kits were fine, just chilly. I pulled some fur, but mama wasn't happy about it, so I'll try grooming her. give her a little break for feed and alone time while I make sure the kits stay warm then I'll pull out some sort of comb. thanks for all your help.
Apr 21, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		RE Pulling Fur
by: Moderator

Well, the fur *does* loosen when the doe kindles, but, when a couple of my does scrimped on the fur-pulling, I've had trouble getting enough fur from the doe by trying to pull it.

Here's what I've done: I use a grooming tool, which for me is a short saw blade, and I groom that doe for as long as it takes, 15-30 minutes or more.

By saving all the loose fur that you groom off the doe, you'll most likely get enough fur to keep those kits plenty warm. And while you're at it, feel free to stuff a little bit more straw or hay into the nest box, for extra insulation, if needed.
Apr 20, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		Re: Kits
by: Anonymous

How do I pull fur from mama? she still hasn't pulled any and the kits are a little chilly, not too bad, but I need some of mamas fur. Do I have to pull it out, or is it loosened when they have kits?
Apr 20, 2011
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starstarstarstarstar 		RE the first kit nursing
by: Moderator

In the wild, the babies can go up to 48 hours with no milk. This is an important survival tool, since as prey animals, rabbits have few other animal friends. If the doe feels threatened, she'll flee, drawing the predator with her, and will only return to her nest once she feels the danger is gone.

So yeah, your kits will be fine for a day, until the doe nurses her babies. If you've done your homework on Raising-Rabbits, you know the doe only feeds the babies for a few minutes every 24 hours. So not to worry if you don't see her constantly attending to the kits.

I'm a little concerned about the doe's mothering instincts... I guess you'll know soon enough if she's going to be an airheaded first-time mom.

Lastly, yes, goat's milk and KMR will work in case you have to feed the kits by hand. Click on Feeding Rabbits, and then on Feeding Wild Rabbits for more help. You'll greatly improve the kits' chances of survival if you can feed them benebac or healthy rabbit cecotropes just before introducing solid feed.

Good luck!
Karen

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