Hand Feeding Kits
Hand feeding kits is a time consuming task and isn't always
successful - but if you're forced to do it, the below tips will
help. I've recieved a lot of e-mails regarding does that don't
"sit with their litter" or "ignore their
litter" - well guess what? Rabbits are not like dogs or cats.
They will not sit in the nest box with their young all day long. A
doe will visit her nest two, maybe three times a day to nurse.
Other than that - she'll leave them alone. A healthy kit will be
warm, active and have a nice full looking tummy. A kit that is
being neglected will be cold, sluggish, have wrinkly or baggy skin
and a small tummy. So please, before you decide to take over the
position as "mother" - make for certain that the doe is
not caring for her litter. It's best if they stay with the doe if
she is properly caring for them. Okay, with that said - on with
the instructions...
First of all, you want to get the kits to have some of the
colostrum, the mother's first milk, because it is full of
essential bacteria, vitamins and nutrients for the newborns. Take
the doe, flip her on her back and let each kit suckle until their
belly is quite firm and full. This will take some time. If this method seems to be
working for you and your doe - then stick with it. Mother's milk
is best. You'll need to do this at least twice, maybe three times
a day.
Hand feeding the litter is another option, but as stated
before, isn't always successful and can be a lot of hard work.
If you choose to use a bottle, you should use a pet bottle made for kittens, this size will
work well. I personally prefer to use a small syringe with out the
needle as I have had more success this way - and they tend to
suckle better.
Also you'll need to get some milk replacer. There are three
suggestions below, but I've found that the canned kitten milk
replacer has proved to be most successful.
- Suggestion #1
canned or powdered milk replacer for kittens
- Suggestion #2
Fresh, straight goat's milk
- Suggestion #2
1/2 C. evaporated milk
1/2 C. water
1 egg yolk
1 T. Corn syrup
Making the hole in the bottle is a little tricky: if it is too
small, the babies do not have the power to suck the milk out of
the bottle; if it is too large, the milk may come out so fast that
it may choke the babies.
Test the suitability by using very hot water. If hot water
streams from the hole, it is too big, the rubber nipple is
ruined; if it needs assistance to squeeze to release the hot
water, it is too small, try again; if the hot water drips from the
hole, it is just right. It is a trial-and-error process, the hole
that works well is a small cross cut with a toenail clipper.
You need to feed the kits approximately every 6 hours for the
first 2 weeks, then every 8 hours the 3rd week, then every 12
hours the 4th week.
After feedings each baby is stimulated to urinate by gently
stroking from its middle to its genitals with a warm rag. You will
need to do this every time you feed until the kits are at least
one week old. But make sure you're outside and the kit is pointing
away from you - those little guys are pretty powerful!
One of the biggest problems with hand-feeding is aspiration
pneumonia. Aspiration pneumonia occurs when milk gets on the
lungs. You can tell if there is milk in the lungs by a
"clicking" sound as the wet lungs stick together. After
each feeding we listen carefully for this clicking. Anyone found
"clicking" gets turned upside down and gets a back
massage. Once the babies are older and have learned the art of
bottle feeding, the problem lessens.
Babies are ready to test solid foods at about two weeks old.
Pellets, oatmeal and hay are good choices for first foods, and
make sure that water is available at all times. Do not - and
I stress this strongly - feed them any veggies, fruits or other
goodies that you think * might * be good for them. A young kit has
a very sensitive digestive system - and introducing garbage into
their diet can cause them to have diarrhea or even muccoid
enteritis and could even kill them.
Article written by Mindy Borer
Rabbit Registrar #RR473
www.TranquilAcresRabbitry.com
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