Baby Rabbits: When to Wean?

Question
How long does a mother rabbit normally take to ween the babies off her nipples?
My bunnies eyes are open and they are pretty big in size.  What should I do?

Answer
Dear Vince,

Don't remove the babies until they are a full eight weeks of age.  This is not only the *legal* weaning age in most states, but it is essential that the babies have access to their mother's milk that long, especially as they start to eat solid food.  They are being exposed to lots of potentially dangerous bacteria at this age, and they need the antibodies in their mother's milk to protect them.  Please read:

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

Babies weaned younger than 8 weeks have a much higher risk of death from intestinal infections than those who are allowed to wean naturally.

Just provide mama with lots of space where she can get away from her babies when she wants to (maybe a spot where she can jump up to escape them if they are too insistent on being fed).  

I hope you're able to find good, loving homes for all the babies, and maybe let one stay with mama for a permanent companion.  Please read:

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

I hope this helps.

Dana