Newborn rabbits

Question
I have a young female (bought a month ago)who gave birth in the last week to five babies.  She had eaten three before I realized she had given birth. I took the last two out of the cage this morning and have had one die on me today. I still have one left and am trying to figure out how to care for it.  I would like to give it to someone who knows what to do to keep it alive.  Can you help me?  I live in Winder, GA.

Answer
Dear Amanda,

I'm sorry for the traumatic loss of the babies.  This is not unusual if the mother is too young to have proper instincts, or is stressed by the birth.  She didn't kill them out of viciousness, but out of overgrooming them because of stress.

To care for the surviving baby, please use the instructions here:

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

I'm not sure there's anyone close to you who can take the baby, but you can try to find a local rabbit rescue chapter here:

www.rabbit.org/chapters

Once mama has recovered from this, she should be spayed for her safety and health, as unspayed, unbred female rabbits have a very high risk of uterine cancer.  I hope the baby and mother will be fine.

Take care,
Dana