rabbits eating their babies

Question
We just got a dutch dwarf rabbit, she gave birth this past saturday to 3 babies, then today on Tues. morning 2 are missing I have looked for them and now I feel she ate them. What would cause her to do this and why do they do it, will she take care of the one that is left ? or will she also try to kill/eat it? My rabbit(Sammy) is right at 5 months old and from what I have read I know this is young to even be giving birth. I am just puzzeled why she waited a couple of days before doing this, I mean killing them? Thanks, Kelly

Answer
Dear Kelly,

If she's only 5 months old, she is indeed very young to give birth.  Inexperienced mothers sometimes will be overly stressed, and can groom they babies so fiercely that they mutilate them.  She does not mean to kill them, and she is not being "mean."  She is just inexperienced, and not quite up to the task of motherhood.

If you think the remaining baby is in danger, you could try to remove it and raise it yourself, or keep it away from her at times other than when she's nursing it.  Just bring the baby to her twice a day (close to dawn and dusk) so she can feed it, and then keep it away from her so she can't accidentally harm it.

If you try to raise it yourself, there are instructions here that might help:

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

Please get Sammy spayed as soon as possible.  It's best for her health and longevity.  Please see:

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

and

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

I hope this helps. Please write back if you have any other questions.

Dana