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help coordinating care for a pregnant doe with a 2 week old litter

22 9:50:13

Question
I recently acquired 2 pairs of 'brothers' (each pair at 8 - 10 weeks of age) which I intend to keep as pets in a large (three level) outdoor hutch and run (13 x 16 feet).  All went well until I realized that I had a doe, and she arrived "preloaded" - she delivered a litter of 8 about 2 weeks after she arrived, 5 survived, and these kits are now 2 weeks old, and warm, plump, and healthy.

The Big Problem: by the time I realized that I had a litter (probably about a half a day after delivery, on the top level of the hutch where I wasn't looking) and then realized what "induced ovulators" are (probably another day or two after that), I was probably too late to prevent another pregnancy. I haven't confirmed but am assuming it to be so.

Please note:
1. FOR THE MOMENT all the bunnies are housed in the same hutch.  none of the bucks are fighting or attempting to mount the doe.  The sibling pairs are very content together and with the other pair, and they are all behaving like I'd think safe, secure, unstressed bunnies would. they spend the better part of the day in the run, and I check in with them a couple times a day.  They are all very comfortable with me - the doe trots over to say hello whenever I join them. I secure them all in the hutch at night, and in spite of all they've been through in the last month it's pretty darn happy in there.
2. I think I have to get the doe and the litter out of there within a week or so, as the kits are starting to move about and may hop out of the box.
3. I did not mean to be this irresponsible - I learned everything I could about proper rabbit nutrition & housing before getting these guys, but I skipped over the parts about how prolific they were because I thought that I'd have only bucks.  I've since learned that sexing young rabbits is unreliable.  I mean to spay this doe as soon as feasible.  I would be hard-pressed financially to neuter all three bucks as well.
4. The Big Questions: Now what do I do?  Based on two weeks of research, here's my working plan, and I'd welcome your feedback/analysis of it: I figure to keep this first litter with the doe (and all of them away from the bucks) until she starts to behave like the next litter is imminent.  The first litter would be (ideally) 4 weeks old, at which time I'd relocate them to my house, then bottle-feed them and "grow them up" to about 8 - 10 weeks before selling them.  The doe and the second litter (assuming any of them survive, doe included) would stay separated from the bucks until the kits approach weaning, then they'd go the way of the first litter.  
I'd like to give this doe a break before she has the added trauma of surgery!  She's holding up well at present, but she has a hard road ahead over the next couple months. If she's housed in her own private space inside the run (i.e. within sight/smell of the the bucks), would she drive the bucks crazy, stressing every one of them?
Is this a manageable approach?  Am I overlooking something critical?
Thanks in advance for your response.  I do appreciate the time you volunteer to help!

Answer
Dear Nancy,

Well, if she is already pregnant again, there's not much to be done about this.  But it is *extremely* important to have all the bunnies spayed/neutered, or at least get some type of agreement from adopters that they will have it done when the bunnies are old enough.  For help with the bottle feeding, please see:

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

Note that the four week old babies will be at a really critical stage of development of their GI flora, and they may need their mother's antibodies as much or more than the newborns.  You might consider allowing the older litter to nurse once a day, and then supplement with bottle feedings, just so they can get the protection they need as they start to wean and eat solid food.

Depending on how many new babies she has, that might mean that you will *also* need to supplement the new babies with formula.  A lot of work, but it could prevent heartbreak.

If you would like an adoption contract to use to help screen potential adopters, please write to me at dana@miami.edu and I'll be happy to share one with you.

I hope this helps.

Dana