My bunny just had a litter of babies and I want to know how old they should be before you can pick them up?

Question
I have a New Zealand rabbit and she just had babies, and I want to pick them up so bad!!! She had them on September 2nd and she had between 11-12 babies and she isn't even a year old!!!How much longer until they will open their eyes and how much longer until I can hold them? Thank you very much.
                      Hannah  

Answer
Hi,

Every other day or so you should check on the litter and check for any that have died.  To do this wash your hands very well and dry with a paper towel, then rub your hands all over the mother before you reach into the nest.  Do not take the kits out of the nest, just reach in and feel around.  Any cold, still bodies are not alive and should be removed.  You should not even consider holding the kits until they are at least 3 weeks old or when they start leaveing the nest on thier own.  Their eyes will open in about 2 weeks.  Don't worry about the mother not being in the nest all the time - she will probably not feed the babies more than once or twice a day and that is usually  in the late night or early morning hours when you are alseep.

Congratulations.

Brenda