looking after newborn rabbits

Question
hello again when will she feed them and how

thank you nicola
-------------------------

Followup To

Question -
hello i hope u can help my rabbits just had 5 babys they are 2 days old i doint no if they need vitimins or the mam needs them .if they are not feeding how will i no and if they are not what do i feed them .i doint want them to die this is my first time i didnt even no she was pregnant if u can help it would be great

thank you nicola

Answer -
Nicola, the newborns should be fed by their Mother - they do not need any special extra food.  You can tell if they are being fed well by looking at their tummys right after the doe feeds them - the tummys should be round round white with milk and they should sleep a lot.  You can help the mother have more milk by giving her 1/4 cup of rolled oats in the evening ( not instant - the kind you have to cook ).

Sheila

Answer
Rabbits normally only feed once a day - if the Doe is a very good Mother she might feed twice a day - in the early morning and in the evening.  She will get into the nest with the kits and stand over them in a semi crouched position, the kits jump up to grab a teat and suckle until full - the whole thing takes maybe 3 minutes.  If you blink the doe is out of the net already, but the kits will have round full bellies.

Sheila