Rabbit Kittens

Question
Hello
                My dwarf lop had her first litter two weeks ago, she had six and they are all doing well and she is a model mother however now they seem to be more active and are coming out of the nest which I didnt think they did until three weeks old. The main problem is that she has a hutch with two levels and this morning two of the kitten's had fallen down the ladder. I phoned the vet and she said to leave them there which I would have done but the temprature was below freezing and they almost would have certanley died. I read in a book to rub your hands in the does litter corner and then handle them which is what I did and I put them back in the nest. Now I'm worried that she will disown them or even kill them. Also there seems to be a diffrence of opinion about when you can touch them some say two weeks and others three.Thank you for your time and effort in answering my questions.
                RICHARD  

Answer
The way I handle all of my kits is as follows...
Wash hands with a mild or non-scented soap and dry with a paper towel.  Rub hands all over doe to aquire her scent, then handle the kits.

Usually after a couple of weeks the doe knows who is her's and who isn't and is not likely to reject them.  The vet was wrong to advise you to leave the kit there because rabbits are not like dogs and cats -- they do not move their babies around.  The kit would have died had you not intervened.

Kits must be fed by the doe at least once a day (usually in the evening) to survive.  If the one you rescued is alive now I am sure it will be fine.

brenda