New born babies!

Question
I just received a Netherland Dwarf bunny as a gift 1 week ago for Christmas.  I came home to her & 2 live babies in her cage today.  What do I do?  Can I pick them up?  Will she be over protective of them?  Do I need to take any special care of them of will my doe do all the mommy work?   I have no clue what I can and can't do..... Please help!  

Answer
Dear Kim,

Ummmmm...congratulations?  (Wow, a three-for-one present! Greeeaaat...)

Don't panic. Together, you and mama can get through this.  Here's some information I hope will be helpful in setting up the new family so she'll feed and care for her babies:

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

Please let me know if you have any other questions after you've read the article.

Rabbits love to live with others of their kind, so if you can keep the babies, that would be great for mama and much less work for you, since rabbits entertain each other while you're away.  The babies need their mother's milk for a full 8 weeks before they can be weaned, so be sure not to remove them too soon, if at all.

Please also see:

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

and find a good rabbit vet here:

www.rabbit.org/vets

Good luck, and Happy New Year!  (Maybe your bunny just wanted to have her own party?)

Dana