not feeding babies

Question
dear sarah,

I have 5 baby bunnies at home and I do not think the mother is feeding her young what type of milk can I feed them with.

                  jennifer

Answer
Mother rabbits only feed their litters once or twice a day, so it is not uncommon for people to think the babies are not being fed. Usually they are being fed, but the owner just does not witness the feeding. Rabbits tend to feed their young at the quietest time of the day (which is night in most households), too.

If it has been more than a day, and the babies are not looking sunken and acting weak, then she is feeding them.

If they are showing signs of starvation, you can follow this formula and instructions:

1/2 Cup evaperated milk
1/2 Cup water
1 egg yolk
1 Tablespoon Corn syrup

FEEDING INSTRUCTIONS

Kits should be fed every 6 hours for the first 2 weeks, then every eight hours the third week, and every 12 hours on the fourth week. After that the kits should be eating a good amount of solid food, and they should be drinking water. If they seem to be doing well on pelleted food, discontinue the formula. Otherwise, feed once a day until they are six weeks old, or until they to well on solid food. Feed a good quality grass hay starting at four weeks, and do not feed any moist foods such as fruits or veggies.

The kits should be fed in an upright position using an eye dropper or a syringe (no needle) to prevent them from choking on the formula. It will take a few days for the kits and for your self to get used to the process, but since kits cannot go even a day without food, no matter how difficult it is for you, they must get fed. Slow down the feeding if the kit starts sneezing, coughing, or choking.

After the kits are fed, rub each kit's belly after it is fed to stimulate them to urinate. Using a cotton ball that is damp with warm water works best.

Offer pelleted food to kits when they are two weeks old, as they will start nibbling on it. Offer grass hay at 3 weeks.