Ran over a nest of baby rabbits

Question
Hello,
Yesterday while mowing in the middle of my yard was a nest of baby rabbits. I have never noticed any rabbits in the 7 yrs of living here so never thought of looking for any before mowing.
Anyway when I ran over the nest I heard horrible screaching and stopped immediately and noticed the rabbits.  I did hit one that died about 5 minutes later even after put it into my incubator that I just took birds out of.:(  I did chase down the other 4 and placed them in my shirt while I tried to gather as much of the hair and grass that I could. I examined each of them to make sure they were not hurt and them seemed ok so I placed them back in the spot where they were and placed the mashed up hair and grass over it.  I also placed flour around it so if the mother came back I would see the foot prints.
As of this morning another baby has popped up and was laying as close to the nest as it could so I placed it inside also but the flour was not disturbed. I'm not sure if I should leave them or take them in and take care of them. I do foster for the city with puppies and I have all the milk heat and knowledge of makeing them potty after feeding.  If I do have to take them in I would like to release them back into the yard where they belong. If you could give me any info please let me know. Also since it is a holiday no vets are open and no wildlife. I do live in a very small town so I don't know where to find a wildlife place around here.
Thank You

Answer
Dear Patty,

If you placed the nest where it was, then mama should come back.  I'd suggest you place some long grass blades over the nest and see if they are disturbed.  That might tell you more than the flour.

If the babies are being fed, their tummies will be round, and they should be warm and not wrinkled.  If they start to wander from the nest, they are probably not being fed, and might need to be fostered.

I would wait until dusk to see, but if there is still no sign of mama, then it might be time to take over.  For temporary instructions, please see:

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/orphan.html

But their best chance of survival is with a licensed wildlife rehabilitator.  Just be sure to arrange with that person that you'd like them returned to your yard when they are old enough. You should be able to find a rehabber here:

http://www.wildliferehabber.org/

Note that you should disinfect your hands *very* well with hydrogen peroxide and strong disinfectant soap before handling them.  They are very susceptible to the E. coli we carry, and will get fatal diarrhea very quickly if they are overexposed to it.  If you do have to foster them and see any sign of diarrhea, please see:

http://www.bio.miami.edu/hare/squirts.pdf


Hope you don't need it.  Hope they will be fine.

Dana