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Oh-uh...

22 9:48:23

Question
Hi,
Our rabbits have just had babies 4 weeks ago Sunday, the doe dug a burrow in our back court yard. They have come out after 2 and half weeks after we saw the doe had a little blood spot and are all healthy and safe. We never saw the nest as it was to far in for us to see and we didn't want to upset things. We are now worried that no long after she gave birth to the 1st lot-our male impregnated her AGAIN as we never separated him as he was a kind father and mate!
She has shown tell-tale signs of pregnancy for the last couple of weeks.
Now, the problem is that we are moving houses and she has built another burrow and this morning and last night has had red/orange urine and was attacking the first lot of babies quite aggressively. Which see has never done before unless they went near the nest when she was busy making it and wouldn't even let the babies eat from the same bowl.
Her new burrow has a small hole and we don't know if she has had new babies yet or not. For her last kids she covered the burrow totally and would dig it out to enter and cover it again.
Thanks for your help on this, looking forward to your reply.
Kind Regards
Lilyk

Answer
Hi Lily,

If she is being aggressive to the other kits take them away and take her to them once a day to let them nurse.  If she continues to show aggression even when away from her other nest you have no choice but to wean them.  There is no way to tell if she has had babies without thoroughly examining the burrow.  If you are able to get to the babies take them out and put them in a small box about the size of a shoe box.  It is best to use a plastic box or a wooden box.  Make sure there are some small holes in the bottom for drainage.  Line the bottom with hay and gently scoop up the babies along with their nesting materials and keep them in the box.  Take the mother rabbit and put her in a cage or hutch in a quiet area.  An entire back yard is not suitable for a rabbit habitat,  unless it is completely predator proof and has a screen top to prevent predator birds from taking them.  They really need to be in a house or a hutch.  Until the babies are 8 weeks old she should be kept with them.  At the very least you need to get the buck neutered and when she is done with her litter have her spayed.  

Red urine is normal in rabbits.  It is caused by certain foods and it can be anywhere from light yellow to bright orange.  This doesn't mean she has had babies but if she was with a non neutered male there is a pretty good chance that if she hasn't had babies yet she will soon.

I am sorry for your issues.  I hope you are able to find the babies.

Pam