newborn mini rex bunnie(s)

Question
QUESTION: Hello, I have 2 rex rabbits. I didnt know they were 2 different sexes, although the female (which is the one we thought to orginally be female along with the male) was getting bigger.  We moved into a place with a nice backyard, and everyday I let the bunnies out of the cage to roam the backyard and get exercise, In the evening I put them back in the cages in the house for the night cause I am not sure if it is to cold for them to stay out. (the cage is kept in a shaded, cool area on the patio during the day so they can get food, water as needed.

I noticed by our fence they were digging a hole, and the female was shedding, I think she was the one digging the hole.

Last night we put both the bunnies back in the cage and brought them in for the night. About 10-15 mins later, I went to go check on the food and water like I do every night, she had a baby in the cage, along with a little blood.  I took the male out of the cage and put him in a different area.  All night she kept trying to get out of the cage.  I am afraid that she might have actually started to have the babie(s) outside somewhere, but when we caught her to go back in for the night she was just running around as normal.
I did however look around out side last night and today, but I couldnt find anything, but it is a big back yard.
I let him out today as usual, and he is running around, but more staying in a general area.  I let her out as well, and she is also staying in that same general area, but I also notice she keeps going down the tunnel.  When she is down there she acts like she is cold-shivering, and then backs up out of it and goes back to the same area of bushes.  When I tried to check the tunnel, it is to deep, and she comes up to me trying to nudge me away and making noises.  I am afraid she might have more babies down there. I put the baby she had in the cage (there was no nesting made for it there as I have read about)in a small bax with alot of bedding to keep it warm, and I put the cage outside with the food and water, also hoping she will put he other babies in it(if she has more then 1).

Please advise on what I can do? Should I leave her out there? SHould she be in the cage with the baby she had in the cage?  Should I put the baby in the cage outside and see if she moves it to the tunel? SHould I leave her out all night so she can take care of those babies if she has any in the tunnel? Please advise, I am really concerned about if she has more babies, and about the 1 she had in the cage.

Thank you very much for your time and help.
Shalyn

ANSWER: It does sound like she may have had babies down in her burrow.  What I suggest is taking the top off of the tunnel until you can get your hand down into the "bed" part to check for babies.  This is fairly easy to do if you go slowly and carefully.  In taking just the top off, you have less risk of hurting any babies or it collapsing in on them. I do suggest you cage both of them during this.  Once you have checked fill in the tunnel completely and make sure you keep her in her cage until the kits are probably about 3-4 wks old. This will lessen the risk of her being injuring while out playing or bringing in parasites or picking up a virus to pass to the babies.

Also do not let the male around her or the babies until after he is neutered.  And from what you wrote it sounds like you have let them out together and so expect in another 30 days that you will have another litter of babies to deal with.

Check out this website for more information on rabbit breeding and taking care of baby rabbits.
http://www.welshrabbitry.com/lionheadrabbitcare.html

Good Luck
Amy

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

QUESTION: Thank you so much for the advise.  There is no way to take the top off the burrow, but however, I did go outside to keep checking on them and I checked the spot they both keep going to a couple of times.  I saw something under her about 2 hours ago, and when I moved her both bunnies were being very protective.  I found 3 babies under her (outside) dirty, but very warm, and they seem healthy. I had checked in that same area a couple of times already, but I think they might have been covered up. One of the babies was dead though.  He was cold and limp, and would not move at all.  I brought the other 2 babies inside and placed them in the cage with the other baby and they have since nested together, and all seem to be moving around. Is it OK, that I have placed all the babies together and removed the ones from the nesting area?  Will she be OK, with them in the cage with the other baby?  Is there anything I should watch for?  Again, thank you.
Shalyn

Answer
She should be fine with the babies being moved.  Rabbits are moms like dogs or cats and foster other litters onto a rabbit is actually quiet common place in the breeder world.

As far as her being in there with her babies she should be fine.  Most breeders are kept caged together with their kits until the kits are about 6 weeks old. I do suggest that in about 4 weeks you take the babies out, so that she can have her second litter without the first one in there. The older babies should do fine although 4 wks is a bit early for weaning but it is more important that they not be in the cage with momma when she delivers again.

I also can't stress enough to check out the website
http://www.welshrabbitry.com/lionheadrabbitcare.html

It will really help answers some questions and give you details about what to watch for in a rabbit mom.

Good Luck
Amy