my rabbit is not lactating

Question
hi
my rabbit had a litter of 5 6days ago, but she did not fed
them and i found them scattered all over the cage and not in
the litter box. the babies were really thin and were
constantly crying by day 2. my doe had unlimited food and
water as well as hay. i tried turning her over on her back
and allowed the babies to feed but they were not getting any
milk from her. i an now feeding the babies kitten milk
replacer but unfortunately 3of them have died 2day....the
other 2 are doing extremely well, they are eating and going
to the bathroom regularly.
however, i was not at home 2days ago, and my mom noticed the
mother rabbit jumping on the babies and growling so she took
the doe out and put her back in the cage,my mom didnt notice
that the divider was not up in the cage (my 2 rabbits have a
3story cage and we divide it when we dont want them to
breed.
im sure she is pregnant again, and i was wondering if you
could please tell me why she did not lactate this time and
if it will happen again? and please could you tell me what
could have made her act this way towards her babies??
thanx

Answer
Dear Riefqa

A new mother may not lactate for many reasons.  Her hormone levels may not have been appropriate, whether due to stress, being too young, etc. is hard to say.  In some cases, a vet can give an injection of oxytocin, which will help the milk drop, and possibly prolactin, which can help stimulate milk production.  Once that begins, she will feed the babies.  But please read this:

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

for more complete information on how to prepare for an imminent birth.

For more help with the babies, please see:

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

But the MOST important thing for you to read is this:

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

You can find a good rabbit vet to help you here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Don't try putting the babies back with the mother.  She has apparently already rejected them, and she might do them very serious harm if they are in her vicinity.  You will have to raise them separate from her for their safety.

I hope this helps.

Dana