PART 3: Raising baby rabbits - feeding, weaning, & rebreeding the doe

Welcome back! I breed Silver Fox and Creme d'Argent rabbits for meat, breeding stock, and show. In Part One of my rabbit breeding series, we discussed how to tell the difference between bucks and does as well as how to breed rabbits. In Part Two, we discussed the pregnancy of the doe and the birth (or “kindling”) of her kits. Today in Part Three, we are going to go over a few different topics all revolving around baby bunnies. Questions related to weather, what to feed the babies, how I like to wean them, and when I rebreed the doe. Please bear in mind that there are many different ays of doing things, and this is just the way that I prefer to raise my rabbits.
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[@apsinthosarts2707]

it's official i have a case of cuteness overload.

[@TealStoneHomestead]

I was waiting for this comment from you 😂

[@vickiemillikan8563]

Definitely cuteness overload ☺️

[@hippyhop3913]

Till she kills them to sell for meat

[@erenawismer4009]

I just became a bunny farmer. I thought taking care of dogs was fun but rabbits bring something else to the game

[@TealStoneHomestead]

They are so much fun! 😊

[@vickiemillikan8563]

I would totally be in the cage with the babies as much as possible, lol they may be mischievous, but they're so adorable that I wouldn't mind a little nibble here and there. 😁 after all, they're just curious lil babies, and it's just too cute to watch them explore their surroundings. I love your videos. Very informative, thank you ☺️

[@TealStoneHomestead]

I love hanging out with them! :)

[@mariesmith3666]

@@TealStoneHomestead I’m laughing my butt off at the babies shenanigans

[@GodswayZoe7]

​@@TealStoneHomestead Hello. I'm Zoe from Accra Ghana. It has been inspiring watching your videos. I'm a beginner in rabbit Farming. I would like to get in touch with your to learn more. Can I have your contact details please. Thank you

[@josephbaraco7731]

Tiffany is definitely a Rabbit Guru and a joy to listen to. Her videos are so very instructive, detailed and entertaining. She is most assuredly, the Matron of the Rabbit world. I have learned so much enlightening information about bunnies and rabbits, since I've been following most of her videos. There's other Rabbit KZbinrs out there but none as detailed and down to earth as Tiffany is. She's just country all the way and that's a big plus for the way that she explains things. So keep up the good work Tiff and yes, Teal Homestead Rabbitry is totally cool.

[@TealStoneHomestead]

Thank you so much for your support. This comment literally made my day 🧡

[@reneebrown2968]

My Ziva only had 2 kits so i shelfed her kits because they were born during the polar vortex attack. Boy am i glad i did. They both lived and are fat and healthy.

[@ScoutSarge]

I love the back-bunny! My Silver Fox always like to climb onto my shoulders and sit there. Even the adults!

[@lloydcoleman5469]

Thanks for sharing the outtakes, very cute!

[@loganwells9417]

Loving this series!! Can't wait for future videos!

[@rachellsranch8096]

Very excited to start my rabbit tree. Thank you so much for this series of videos, loved every minute of it

[@antonhuman8446]

What a professional series. Thank you kindly!

[@lyndas1842]

Ur videos are so wonderfully helpful. Thank you for ur time and effort making them!

[@elizabethstephens6471]

Thank you for sharing and playing with your little bun buns! Good information with explanations.

[@teresascholl4656]

Thank you for the great information. I just started raising rabbits so your site has been so helpful.

[@kelsielee6222]

Your videos help me alot my doe just got pregnant and it was an accident her due date is around July 23 I'm scared because we are keeping a secret from my dad

[@WindyMapleHH]

I loved this video... there seems to be a few difficulties there with baby bun bun overload LOL I love the baby bunny vids 💕 Your videos are so professionally done and edited and a joy to watch! I love the intros and really looking forward to the next video on assessing a litter 🥰 Great content again! 👌

[@TealStoneHomestead]

Thank you so much! ❤️ they are all troublemakers but they’re so much fun to hang out with 😂🥰 i’m so glad you’re enjoying the videos 😊

[@JosephANagyJr]

Thank you for your videos. I just found you today as I begin to prepare to get into meat rabbits and your videos have been awesome.

[@duriandesperate8530]

I really love your channel, my grandma used to keep rabbits, and watching your videos reminds me of her and my old home and my childhood!

[@jo-AnnCB]

This was so good. Thanks for this great information!!! The rabbits are beautiful, what an amazing job you do !!

[@christiancrandall6811]

Your bunnies are to die for. 😍

[@justinetull572]

Loved the video! Separated my kits out two weeks ago, and just rebred my does today. Can't wait to see your eval video!

[@reginapatterson873]

I went out a couple days ago and there were babies i didn't even know she was pregnant i am up at 230 in the morning because im panicking over the cold weather i have went out and checked the box every couple hours, your videos have made me worry somewhat less, i cant wait to see daylight and sun, Thank you for the videos

[@tommassie2772]

This is some wonderful information and very helpful thank you for putting it together 😊

[@BoolaHoola]

So excited to watch it😃

[@dannyendel5247]

Your so real, thanks

[@shawnacypowell8818]

Your videos have been full of information. Thank you, I’ll be getting my first rabbits at the end of may

[@TealStoneHomestead]

That’s so exciting! Good luck to you! 😊

[@kimibrown1578]

Your eyes are stunning! Thank you for your content. It's really helpful!

[@TealStoneHomestead]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@sherrynansubuga2291]

I love your videos so educative im planning to start off

[@ronrapsing2038]

All the way from the Philippines☺️ I alway's love watching your videos everytime you upload☺️

[@TealStoneHomestead]

Thank you so much!

[@marlenehook4475]

I like the tractor, cute babies too

[@melodyniday9036]

Ah so cute! That clip of the baby jumping into the nest box made me laugh a little too hard. Such a little one making such a big jump! Lol Oh they are so ornery and fun!

[@jemmodc.nipesjr.1628]

Hey, I love your channel. It's very calming

[@TealStoneHomestead]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@alyzavictoria6342]

😊great video. Thank you !!!!! My momma Lola just had babies ❤

[@timsmith7039]

All your video very educational thanks

[@charliew1758]

Another great video😁😁 Your baby buns are looking great, I’ve got 3 does due in the next week!😁🐇🐰

[@TealStoneHomestead]

Very cool! I’ll be having 3 litters at the end of April 😊

[@lisypabon7430]

Thanks for your videos they’re very informative 🙂

[@bobruediger7468]

Great stuff. From Bucks PA

[@Caz-5021]

thank you for these videos my two bunnies were misgendered and one gave birth the day after we found out about us having a buck and doe and shes had 4 healthy babies and these videos are so helpful to help my care for them they are actually less than 24 hours old rn and its so nice to know how to help them and the doe

[@opengatefarmstead3609]

this gives me such nice spring vibes:)

[@TealStoneHomestead]

So ready for it!! ❤️

[@hauoleguyify]

I’m really liking the silver Fox breed. I raised Dutch rabbits as a kid. Ill be retiring next year and plan to start raising rabbits again (and chickens). Thank you for sharing all your information.

[@TealStoneHomestead]

Silver foxes are the best! I also raised Dutch as a kid. They are a wonderful breed as well 😊

[@gbC4mpos]

So much great info, thank you!

[@sisonlibangan7043]

Really cute bunnies. Hope to adopt one of your line. From here in the Philippines

[@jnf2211]

Very helpful video! Thank you!

[@Alexis_9339]

Thanks for the great video. Loved them trying to get a nibble throughout the video! They are just beautiful! I just got all my noncage items delivered from KW cages, super excited about that. I had emailed you back with a few questions a few days back, not sure if you missed or were thinking it over. No rush, just wanted to mention in case it slipped by.I frequently get texts when I’m busy that I don’t reply to until the next time I go to message that person. 😂

[@TealStoneHomestead]

They’re so funny! Yes I got that email, so sorry!! I will respond ASAP 😊

[@teachersikhumbuzomoyo5419]

This is a real life indeed I enjoy

[@luneshramdhani5180]

Great video, ive really learnt alot

[@burnt_0range319]

I’m only ever going to breed rabbits to sell as pets and **maybe** for show if I get some really pretty ones out of the bunch. I definitely understand breeding them for meat but I don’t think I could do it myself, lol. I’d get too attached to have them butchered.

[@amandareyneke5596]

I have a problem giving sway or selling them as well. Just could not get myself to do it, especially as by day 10 they all develop their own personality. I will never be able to sleep worrying if they are taken well cared off and loved

[@burnt_0range319]

@@amandareyneke5596 It turns out, I wasn't cut out for it either! It wasn't any fun for me, and I didn't make much money either. I'll get rabbits again, but only two as pets. They're much happier that way, and as a result I am too.

[@singingwindrider9881]

Y'all must be kids? Farming is hard work and requires tough decisions at times. Try again later though as it can be very rewarding. But if you're just not cut out for it, don't bash those that can. 🕊

[@annsander]

great share and video ..a big thumbs up and a happy weekend

[@skee6706]

Since we have the Silver Foxes we would like to see you show body types for them. Love how you just climb in the cage with them How fun. Thank you

[@danamakabane8051]

quite informative

[@angparks5424]

Adorable 🥰

[@kadogshowtv7222]

Love Love Love!

[@Legend0222]

Great info!

[@michaelmello9510]

Great job

[@theimonnongkynrih7424]

They are so cute

[@reneebrown2968]

I had to turn my nestbox on it's side so that momma could still get her fresh veggies away from the babies. I took the box out when i saw a baby jump up onto the box with momma. They love love love carrot tops.

[@sardee1315]

Thanks for answering our questions! We did take the nest box out and clean it out several times. I'm still amazed at the amount of fur Momma pulled! They are now 4 weeks old and we are going to pull the nest box and give them a hide box. Then, I think we will build new nest boxes with the small hole wire bottom. With a litter of 10 kits it was just too nasty too quickly with the wood bottom!

[@TealStoneHomestead]

Oh yeah, litters of 10 can get gross! If you’re looking for nest box building inspiration, I recently made a 1-minute video in my Instagram and Facebook about how I build my nest boxes 😊 sounds like you have a good momma! 😊

[@sardee1315]

@@TealStoneHomestead I don't have Instagram or Facebook (I have enough trouble keeping myself in check with just KZbin as inspiration/time waster!) will you post it here on KZbin? Or on your blog?

[@TealStoneHomestead]

@@sardee1315 I just put it up on my blog! In Part 2 under the nest box dimensions 😊

[@sardee1315]

@@TealStoneHomestead Thank you so much! My son watched it with me and went to make a couple. We removed the old one with the wood bottom the other day and it was just gross. We usually just spray them liberally with bleach and then scrub and leave in the sun to dry completely but having a mess bottom will make it much nicer.

[@TealStoneHomestead]

@@sardee1315 you’re welcome! I was meaning to put that on the blog so thanks for asking 😊 it definitely is easier! It’s better especially in the summer. The babies don’t get so hot ☀️

[@islandgirl5205]

Very helpful!

[@singingwindrider9881]

Good video 👍

[@damzycarter1]

I love this Video ❤😘

[@henrykinyua9020]

Awesome video

[@christinathompson3498]

Hi im new here im from maine love bunnies

[@edwardsaucedo9223]

Cheers, My buck is jealous of the new rabbits, he's waiting to be in same cage.

[@user-lk1sz8km8j]

Настоящая женщина молодец, удаче Вам

[@jasminmocindi6682]

hope to have a rabbit like yours, they're so cute, hoping and praying someone could give from another country

[@jeannetteamaya7447]

❤️ Good video. I have an above ground cage for my rabbits and a 6” 2ft long at a slant that go down, with little 2 inch slats going across for leverage so they can climb up into the top-tier and in the nesting area. I have screen for the floor and I use burlap for the mama rabbit to give birth to her babies and so with her hair & burlap it can breathe and there legs don’t go through…plus when it gets dirty all I do is pick up the piece of burlap and lay another piece down. The screen floor allows for the rabbit droppings to go through but in the winter it’s almost like insulation. I’ve never had a problem with my rabbits that is the mama rabbit and the daddy rabbit gets sick. But now that there’s babies kits the daddy stays on the bottom and the mama stays on top with her kits. I feed Mama also alfalfa especially immediately after giving birth so they get the nutrition they need.

[@ariseshine3449]

Sorry if someone already asked this, I have 2 pregnant does (first timers) so I'm very happy to find your channel. ☺ You were saying hay is good to start the babies out with. My question is, does that include Timothy hay or just do regular hay at first? I will appreciate your input on this. Also, your hutch and tractor are SO CUTE!

[@TACLife]

Thanks for another great video! Did you do a video on your tractor? I may have missed it.. just was curious about how you set up the little enclosure side. Let me know if you covered it in another video and I'll go check it out! Thanks as always!!

[@TealStoneHomestead]

I did not! I sort of talked about them my Creme d’Argent babies video. I might be building another this year, and I’ll film it if I do 😊

[@gerryoreilly1]

My bunny just gave birth I don't know what to do

[@ampoffgridaz8057]

Really enjoying your videos. Planning on beginning rabbity (and chickens) as early Spring as possible. Watching your videos is making me more antsy. 🥴

[@patienceseyramakakpo3220]

Love this video, can you please show the drinking through.thanks

[@MFCBermondsey]

Greetings Tiffany from Central London

[@HeavenlyHarvestmn22]

I take box out and put fresh bedding and take some old hair in it and flip the box on the side. Works great for us.

[@liangyanzhang7379]

the tan colored one is just like one of my toys1

[@jessicapabon2105]

Oh my goodness this was so stinking adorable! I was just telling my niece's a few days ago that I'm preparing for the garage area for either future Quail or a future pair of rabbits but unfortunately I cannot get Quail or rabbits unless I go to the pet store for the rabbits and I don't want the tiny little rabbits I want the big rabbits like you have. But I'd like to get it Young. Been watching your videos and I'm totally in love with the rabbits and I started getting the books on the maintenance and care of rabbits. Plus I'm setting up my Gardens and their future droppings and the hay will come in handy for the garden. One question? The hay that you give your rabbit is that Timothy Hay?

[@rachiesithole5203]

So cutie

[@emilyhofmeyer]

I love your channel! I have one question what do you do with the mom's fur when you clean out the nesting box do you want to keep it or will they replace it with new fur?

[@FunnyFarmHomestead]

Great video thx 🐰

[@ChandraPivo]

Your rabbits are adorable! Really enjoying your channel. Maybe you have a video on it already but I was curious as to how you tell the males from the females. I read once that it's around six weeks that you can tell? Also I am raising American blue meat rabbits. I have two babies right now and another doe expecting in about 10 days.

[@mohammedchekhar1268]

Hello

[@reneebrown2968]

The babies are really cute and easy to fall in love with. Right now i have 2 experienced breeders and 2 first timers. So i figure I'll breed them one experienced to a newbee. Hoping for 2 large litters before the summer heat stops my breeding. I won't be breeding in the heat of summer. Too hard on the does and kits.

[@TealStoneHomestead]

One of the main reasons that I remodeled my rabbit hutch last year is to put it in deep shade and have more ventilation. We breed year-round, and my hutch is built to hold box fans on the side! Good luck with your litters! 😊

[@reneebrown2968]

@@TealStoneHomestead right now my rabbits are under my back porch but they still get direct morning sun. And late afternoon sun as well. I've got box fans for all but still need to grow or build a shade on each side of the porch

[@josephgwamfa9032]

Oh beautiful presentation. What is the best diet for rabbits that just gave birth.

[@marlenewebster7095]

I can’t get over how pretty she is

[@bugs825]

Solstice or Tiffany? 😂😂😂

[@marlenewebster7095]

@@bugs825 The human 😝

[@oluwatojubaimisioluwa9764]

Love your videos ma🥰🥰🥰♥️😍

[@tar5933]

Hi Tiffany, Thanks for such an informative video. I took a lot of notes because... I am a beginner rabbit breeder. Just ordered 3 cages from KW Cages (from your navigation). I see that all your cages have trays. I am very interested of how to clean trays easier. If you have a video on this topic, please indicate it. Thank you!☺

[@outdoorinwithzach]

West meadow rabbits on KZbin has a guide on how to clean I think!

[@reneebrown2968]

I'm breeding both my does tomorrow. That will be a little early for my momma doe but I'm planning on only doing this once. That way both does will kindle together incase I need to have one adopt some kits.

[@TealStoneHomestead]

That is always a good plan! 😊❤️

[@xneovy5037]

i love your channel i followed your breeding process and i’ll let you know if it was a successful breeding

[@aubree3002]

was it successful?!?!

[@paulgarcia497]

Love 💕

[@sherrynansubuga2291]

This is prety good

[@madelinepark7944]

Cant wait to get silver fox one day. So beautiful! How do you get past the need to keep some? I have been preparing for YEARS now for this moment. Mine will be ready April 4th. I have 5 babies but 2-3 of them have wonderful personalities. My one friend may buy 1-2 of them but the last one will be tough to let go. I know I will follow through with it for sure. Its just tough!

[@TealStoneHomestead]

Congrats!! 😊 Honestly, it’s almost always tough. There are some litters where you’ll wonder if you’re making the right decisions, and others where the decisions are clear. Personality, type, and fur are my main concerns. Right now I am trying to select rabbits with more depth and width to improve my herd’s body type down the line. I like to see how everyone looks between 10-12 weeks old before making any major decisions.

[@because_helives]

SO FUN

[@antoniovazquez8934]

Beautiful video! Please what are the dimensions for the nesting box, thank you

[@edwardsaucedo9223]

Cheers, I shared

[@abosedeonipede4317]

I really like silver fox breed I raise flourish giant

[@stefanierichards852]

You are cute! Good to know- I’ll wear old, yard clothes- they are so cute!! Thank you- I’m at pregnancy day 6 on my first batch- do I have to have a lid on my nest box-? Mom is an outside free bunny in my back yard(no holes, way to escape or anything getting in).But I will bring her in a cage here in the house that day 25, keep her in for the birthing and the first few weeks, then hope to have them in a controlled environment outside.

[@TealStoneHomestead]

It’s not totally necessary to have a lid, but I think it makes them feel safer when they are nursing. My rabbits like sitting on top of the box.

[@schammond8993]

This is a very late question but I just recently found you channel. What type of hay do you recommend for your bunnies? Timothy, alfalfa, etc?

[@TealStoneHomestead]

I usually do mix hays. Timothy, clover, and grass are all good options. A little bit of alfalfa is okay, but don’t feed adults straight alfalfa 😊

[@melindawolfUS]

I also feed fresh to my adults, it cuts down my feed costs using greens from my garden that I don't love as much like carrot tops and I always have plenty of sweet potato greens. They love the fresh and I do feel like it helps their health to have seasonal variety. I'm starting to grow my own timothy grass so I can guarantee it has no chemicals since I use bunny poop as my #1 fertilizer and the weed killers can transfer through and hurt plant development. It can also last for years, so contaminated animal poop can be dangerous to gardens in a way that is difficult to reverse. Anyways, the fewer people I rely on for my farm to work, the less expensive it is generally and the more eco-friendly (less fuel in travel).

[@rockymountainhomesteadangela]

Hey! QUESTION I hope you see this and can answer. We are about to get meat rabbits for the first time. We have a very large kennel at the end of our chicken run that is separated from the run. We bought a seperate coop to keep just the rabbits in. The coop would be in the kennel. I had a 24x24 cage for the buck to keep seperate from does. My thought was to have the does live together not caged in the coop. is that possible or do they HAVE to be in a cage? If they have to be in a cage then I may have to stop the coop mid delivery. We live in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado. We have tons of bears and mountain lions which is why we were going to go the route with the coop inside of the kennels. Electric fencing all along outside of the kennels for complete protection. Please let me know if the coop thing would work and not having to cage the does inside of it. Thank you!!

[@angelaguevin5680]

Do you have a video for identifying bucks and does. Thank you

[@ronniescooking8785]

Thanks heaps for this series of vids :) A noob question. Is there any chance that the doe might reject the kits if you handle them too soon ? TIA

[@TealStoneHomestead]

No, it’s perfectly fine. Just throw her a treat to distract her while you look at the babies.

[@Kingase-nd2ru]

6:51 Just wanted to point out that an air temperature of 95 degrees Fahrenheit (35 degrees Celsius) combined with a relative humidity of almost 100% would cause the Wet Bulb Temperature (WBT) to also be 35 degrees Celsius. A WBT of 35 degrees Celsius is extremely rare and has only been reached in 10 cities, these cities are in Australia, India, Mexico, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, and based on your accent and environment, you don't seem to reside anywhere near those countries. But regardless of the WBT, an air temperature of 35 degrees Celsius combined with a relative humidity of 100% has never been recorded anywhere in the world, the highest temperature with 100% relative humidity is 34 degrees, in the city of Jask in Iran (21 July 2012). If the relative humidity really would be 100% while the air temperature is 35 degrees Celsius, then the Heat Index (otherwise known as "RealFeel" or "FeelsLike-Temperature") would've been about 72 degrees Celsius. The highest Heat Index ever recorded is 81 degrees Celsius in the city of Dhahran in Saudi Arabi- sometime during 2003. There isn't much information available about Heat Index records, but I am pretty sure that the record in Dhahran is followed by a Heat Index of 74 degrees Celsius reached in the city of Bandar Manshahr in Iran sometime during 2015. I believe these records are followed by some record far below 70 degrees Celsius, or possibly even below 60 degrees Celsius. The most heat adapted and healthy adult people wouldn't survive long when the WBT is 35 degrees or more, in fact, even 30 or more can be fatal, but 35 is regarded as the human survival limit WITH an unlimited supply of water. It would be absolutely deadly, and life-threatening. I mean, just imagine, a Heat Index, or "Feels-Like temperature" of 72 degrees Celsius (161.6 degrees Fahrenheit). I am pretty sure you must have misunderstood something, and the humidity in fact wasn't near 100%, you might be talking about the relative humidity at night, when the air temwprature is much cooler, that's just how weather works, humidity levels dip during the day, when it's hotter. I find it hard to believe that the relative humidity was even higher than 50% during the hottest hour of the day (50% would still be extremely high for that specific temperature, and would still feel like literal hell). This comment was likely useless, and nobody will likely read it, but I have a deep interest in meteorology, and spend a lot of my free time reading up on it, I just find it interesting, and I couldn't help myself but to correct you, and I mean no offence by doing so, just though I'd use my knowledge about this specific subject to educate people. I hope this helped. In short, 35 degrees Celsius along with a relative humidity of 100% has never happened in the world, and would be deadly and life threatening to human life, and most likely any life, it would feel like 72 degrees Celsius, which has almost never happened before in the world. Also, a WBT of more than 35 degrees Celsius is extremely rare, and only occurs in the most hot and humid places in the world. Hope you learnt something new, whoever's reading, just wanted to point it out. Thanks for reading. Edit: spelling

[@Abears_]

No clue where you get your info cause we have 90+% humidity like 8 months out of the year and temperatures get close to and over 100°F. It’s practically winter time and next week we’re looking at 85% humidity. You must not be from the states

[@MatthewUnverferth]

Is there a temperature that the doe and kits should be kept inside the house for during the winter?

[@corinnemcleod6604]

Hey thank you so much for your videos, so cute!! 🩷 My doe had two kits about four days ago, but i’m slightly worried she isn’t feeding them… they’re skinny and wrinkly and very lethargic. What should I do??