Weening off baby rabbits

Question

Walle and Eva   QUESTION: I have a male rabbit and a female rabbit. The male rabbit was fixed about a month ago and my female rabbit HAS had babies before (that is why I had the male fixed). I have scheduled for later this week to get the female fixed but I think she is experiencing a false pregnancy. For the past day or two she has been pulling hair from her body and making a nest just as she did when she was pregnant. My question is, do rabbits look bloated while they are having a false pregnancy? Because she now has a bigger belly on her. Thank you for your time

ANSWER: Dear F.P.,

Uh oh.  No, a bunny should not have a larger belly with a false pregnancy.  And if the vet didn't tell you that the male can impregnate his mate (1) immediately after she has babies and (2) for up to four weeks after being neutered, then I'd find another rabbit vet.  :(

I apologize for the delay.  Unexpectedly, a middle school ecology outreach program I was running went crazy at the end, and I'm just now getting my life back.  Sorry!  But I fear by now you have discovered whether this is a false pregnancy or not, since gestation is 28-31 days long.

If you're already experienced with this, you might not need it, but here you go:

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

Good luck,

Dana

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: It has been about 2 weeks since my female has had her second liter and I was wondering if it is normal for her to eat constantly? Thank you for your time.

ANSWER: Dear FP,

Yes, it's normal.  Give her unlimited food now, rich in calcium.  She needs all the calories she can have now, to be raising two litters.

If you'd like an adoption form to use to screen potential adopters of the babies, please write to me at dana@miami.edu and I'll be happy to send you one.  :)

Good luck!

Dana
P.S. - Note that babies should be with mama until they are *at least* eight weeks old.  No younger.  Please see:

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

for why.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hello,
My baby rabbits are 7 weeks old. When will I be able to start weening them off to other families that want to raise them? And what will happen to my mother rabbit? Every morning she runs into their pin to feed them. Once she realizes that they are no longer there anymore, how will she be able to release her milk? Is there anything that I need to do? Thank you for your time!

Blair Armstrong

Answer
Dear Blair,

This is a hard time.  The babies should be *at least* eight weeks of age before they are weaned, and usually mama will wean them herself.  If she is very attached to them, then I would *strongly* urge you to keep at least one of the babies so she can have a permanent companion.  Otherwise, she may grieve terribly.  And two bonded rabbits are always more fun, and happier and healthier than just one lonely rabbit.

If possible, adopt out the babies in pairs, as well.  They will all have to be spayed/neutered when they are old enough, so *be sure* the people know this, and give them a printout of this article:

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

and this:

www.rabbit.org/health/spay.html

before they adopt.  If you would like a copy of an adoption agreement we use to screen potential caregivers, please write to me at dana@miami.edu and I'll be glad to share.  

Also direct the adopters to:

www.rabbit.org/

for all the right information about rabbit health and care.

Good luck!

Dana