Bunny Watch Question!! If i pick up the bunnies will the mom eat them or is it safe to pick them up?
If i pick up the bunnies will the mom eat them or is it safe to pick them up?
In response to Lindsays question on the post Baby Rabbits First Feed From Thier Mother
Hi Lindsey
Congratulations on the bunnies!
Due to the way in which we found our bunnies we didn’t really have the chance to think about this, we had to hold them because there mother wasn’t around. If the mother is with the bunnies (and from what I’ve read she does not pay ‘too’ much attention to them because this would draw attention to them in the wild.) But if she is near them and looks like as though she might be mothering them, like having made a fluffy nest for them I think I’d be tempted to say that although you might reeeally want to hold them, I wouldn’t do so yet.
I’ve read on websites, and I emailed the House Rabbit Society the same question you asked when I wanted to re-unite the babies with their mother, they say that its ok and the scent of humans on the bunnies shouldn’t make too much of a difference – but our rabbit trampled on the bunnies and bit one of them when we put them back together – this may have been nothing to do with the transfer of human scent but you never know.
Keep an eye on them, and I’d say after a week or two, perhaps start with lil stokes while they’re still in their nest, making sure to stroke mom bunny first so she knows you’re friendly and not going to harm them.
I hope your mom rabbit takes care of the bunnies, this is the healthiest and best start they can have. The mother’s milk is perfectly formed to help their immune system and growth – you wont need to bother with all the expensive mixtures and supplements that we had to! But I’m glad to say that we’ve still got three beautiful strong bunny boys, that are as cute and fluffy as ever.
Good luck, and thanks for your question – sorry it’s a bit drawn out! Feel free to email me again if you have any other questions or anything.
Sara (‘mother’ of the rabbits on Bens Camera T Blog)
We will try and answer anmore questions that we can so feel free to post if you have something to ask about raising new born bunnies
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