Birth of baby rabbits

Question
Hi Dave,
About four days ago, my rabbit gave birth to 4 kits. The morning that we discovered the babies we thought there were only 3 but then discovered one that was tossed off to the side. We put it back with the others and then the next day we noticed that it's back legs were covered with her mother's fur and some gunk. I carefully washed the legs and carefully removed the debris. The legs seemed to move ok once they were cleaned. He was never wrinkly, or weak; it just never seemed to grow like the others (remained hairless and much smaller). I didn't want to interfere too much so I left him with the mother and other kits. The next morning, I found him off by itself and dead. What did I do wrong? Did he starve to death?  Please make suggestions for next time. I feel really bad about the whole thing.

Thank you,
Elaine

Answer
Hello Elaine !
Well I  an sorry for your loss it is hard to loose a small helpless baby even when you try so hard to help.
You did exactly the right thing.
it sounds like the mother was not taking care of that baby, the mother rabbit usually cleans up the babies back side so they do not get all gunked up , maybe the mother could not keep up with this one  or it was the runt and she knew that, it is a part of nature.
In the future you can do the same thing using warm water. and drying it up before you put the baby back in the nest.
You can rub a little of vicks vapor rub on the mothers nose ( just a very little dap) this will mask your scent when she goes to inspect the babies after you check them.
Well good luck ...
Dan Vallo