Raising Rabbits: Caring for Mommas and Babies

[@edenmccarthy9884]

Four days ago my rabbit had babies - i had her for not even two weeks and she had them, I put her on a diet after I was told she was spayed. Have had rabbits for years but they've always been neutered so I've been totally out of my depth. She's been a great mama! Thanks so much for making this, it's been so helpful.

[@TheGatortooth]

I wish I would’ve done things right when I built my hutches. Building a nesting box in with the hutch is an excellent idea. Totally agree on the fact rabbits need greens while nursing. Mine absolutely crave them after giving birth. As always...enjoy your videos sir!

[@gianniedgar8940]

You prolly dont care at all but does anybody know a trick to log back into an instagram account? I stupidly forgot my password. I would appreciate any assistance you can give me

[@julioreginald3836]

@Gianni Edgar Instablaster :)

[@gianniedgar8940]

@Julio Reginald Thanks so much for your reply. I got to the site through google and im waiting for the hacking stuff now. I see it takes a while so I will reply here later when my account password hopefully is recovered.

[@brendadoherty3060]

Well finally I have found someone who knows how to build a cage for bunnies 🐰 Ok l can’t spell lol but your rabbits have a place to hide,clean cages and you are kind. Love your videos.

[@dawnfarris3751]

So grateful to you sharing! I’m brand new to the rabbit world. Your videos give me the confidence to care for them properly

[@marthashipman5979]

love your videos. live out where I can't get on line so when i visit family I try to watch everything i've missed!

[@2409forus]

Hey John, doing great there!LOVE your solar fan rig-up! they need a breeze. I used to stock up on frozen literbottles of water for the summertime. The grown rabbits will just lounge and sprawl alongside them when it gets hot. I'd leave a 5 gallon bucket of slightly bleachy water to rinse them off with before tossing them back in the freezer! We chose to NOT breed during July-Sept, and Dec-Feb for the heat/cold stress, but you are right, dead babies are a fate yet to be determined by circumstances out of (usually) our control...but it's hard.

[@rittaslusher2369]

my friend has rabbits and she grows fodder in the winter for them and they love it just a thought love how well you treat you bunnys you are wonderful never heard of giving them tums but it makes sence thank you for sharing

[@jcharlescon1]

Wow! My own parents didn't treat me as nice as you treat your animals.

[@Mike-hk7uh]

john charles irk he looks like the toughest guy and calls them "sweeties" 😆

[@kameron.w4089]

Did they read this comment? 😂

[@kathleenzimmer3524]

Clover has estrogen in it, dandelion greens are a naturaldiueritic. Nice video. Good tips. Thanks!

[@floot6799]

JNull, a belated thankyou for your video clips. I was rewatching this one and remembered a foolproof way my granddad mothered up calves and sheep. It is all about smell and mothers' instincts. I did this as a kid, I lost a doe thru a hardware disease, I was a kid and built an inherently dangerous cage. Anyway, my mum showed me how to put a tiniest bit of vicks vaporub on the other does nose and back feet. She then got my hands vapo-rubbed with no excess. I moved the babies over and the new doe took to them immediately. I have done this ever since to a number of different species and it always works. ... Cheers... and ps... I hope mr Vicks doesnt sue my for misuse of a wonderful product... floot

[@amydelaserna]

thanks for the frozen tile tip, my buck is happily laid on one right now after not being very interested in the frozen water bottle!

[@NiftyEquityTrader]

Hey jnull0.. thanks a lot. you have given me an excellent idea on building the nest boxes.

[@Heather-xm9ul]

For the first time, I should have a doe kindling in about two weeks. This is helpful!

[@The_Devil_Nside]

killer video yet another one. I like the rabbitologist lol

[@1994abbygirl]

Wow, seems like you had a heap of snow just a few video's ago and now its gone and your in a short sleeve shirt! Very informative video!

[@That_dude_who_knows_some_stuff]

I do the tums trick as well. Works like a charm

[@ShortAcres]

Thanks. This is a good overall plan for my son who are new in 4-H and we enjoy meat rabbits. It helps to have someone other than parents to give tips and advice. Now they might complain less about harvesting dandelions from our hay field and making fresh clover bunny bundles.

[@WillowsGarden]

You always take good care of your animals, good video John, :)

[@ellenclayton5955]

I love your videos. It is very helpful for those of us considering meat rabbits.

[@Takasnooze]

Very interesting video. Enjoyed hearing about the rabbits!

[@maryguillen9335]

I like how you showing us, how you doing things.

[@aubreymarshall5535]

Yes I love this advice I had a doe that wouldn't feed and I had another doe that had kits, she fostered them just like her own

[@charlenepym5250]

This video is very helpful and encouraging.

[@ncbully7630]

same with dogs, TUMS or vanilla ice cream. helps w pushing/contractions

[@littlefarmer6949]

Love your cages we have rabbits too but our cages are different we have new Zealand's , cinnamon, mini rex love my rabbits

[@chevyforddodge4x4]

Nice looking babies keep up the great work john take care and have a great day God bless!

[@bomastewart7215]

Thanks so much for this information as my rabbits just had kits the are 2 days old

[@kaymorgan5328]

I'm learning gradually about my doe she had two litters and I lost both because I'm thinking that she doesn't know how to at this point so I've been watching a few videos to learn how to help her to nurse or to it myself it that doesn't work because I have no doe to foster them to. Now she is pregnant and I'm braising myself to take on this challenged. Bought two droppers already and will be buying milk replacer tomorrow

[@MrCrf450rider]

Rabbits make wicked pets.plan on getting another one myself.as you can tell on my profile pic.awesome animal to have,especially housebroken.

[@saltlifegull4091]

Outstanding video! You really know what you're doing. Answered so many questions I had. I've been feeding my mama rabbit cabbage leaves, is that okay? Is the hay from Tractor Supply the right kind to feed rabbits? Thanks so much...you're the man! Wow, Tums, what an idea. Awesome!

[@hannahmcintosh5343]

We are looking into getting rabbits because we like the meat, want to save money, and want an alternative to factory farmed meats. Your videos are fantastic! So informative. I was wondering, after you wean the kits at 8 weeks, do you grow them out or harvest straight away? This is something I have to figure out before I build cages obviously. What are the pros and cons of growing on vs. harvesting at 8 weeks? Thanks so much for all the great info!

[@THEPRECIOUSLILY]

Thank you for this!!!!!!!❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤❤ this helped me I thought I was doing things wrong...❤👍❤👍❤❤

[@MaruAdventurer]

Good bunny serries. Keep it coming...

[@shawhit3462]

Thanks John, great video.

[@bolletjebruin7678]

"I will never, ever , force my rabbits , to live on a gaze, metal dread wire floor..."

[@saltlifegull4091]

Question: What is the best breed to start with for selling baby rabbits, i.e. miniature, Rex, NZ, etc?

[@scottschwieger6434]

Great video. Thank you and keep up the good work.

[@Brad1237202]

Love your videos Brother!! God Bless!!!

[@southpawbushcraft7522]

Great informative video. I want a baby LOL. Thanks for sharing!

[@pirateotter]

Aww your tri colors are so cute :D

[@amberrivers81]

Grate video never knew you could give a preganat rabbit tums thanks for that tip and grate job on rasing your rabbits

[@myhappyplacehomestead8727]

Thank you for the tums advise, I will have to try it!

[@cindyoquinn7924]

Great info, thanks

[@muhamedfaour3710]

Great video , god bless you brother

[@horseypeeps5382]

Gotta say jnull0, your vid's have been great. Keep up the fight.

[@sssshhhh101]

Is keeping rabbits warm in the winter difficult? I live in Michigan. Thanks for the video Peace

[@jnull0]

sssshhhh101 It takes a little more attention, but I would not consider it very difficult. A little extra insulation usually does the trick..ie, straw, hay, dryer lint. Good luck, I am sure you will do well..............................J

[@sssshhhh101]

Thanks for the info. I'm considering raising meat rabbits. It's seems like a great idea! Thanks again Peace

[@2409forus]

sssshhhh101 Just keep them out of the wind and keep them dry. Common sense, think of them as children...just tastier!

[@sssshhhh101]

I'm kinda unsure if that was sarcasm or not. Either way it's pretty funny :) Peace

[@2409forus]

No, just simple thinking the way I am. Although I HAVE nibbled on my childrens and grandchildrens toes after a bath! What a blessing!

[@charlenepym5250]

Thank you for this video. My doe had 11 litter they all ended up dying. :(

[@pheobe8265]

Leslie Ann aww I’m so sorry :(

[@W_I_I_N]

Can I leave the nesting boxes in the cage? I made my own cage and each are H 36 x W 30 x L 33. The nesting boxes are L24xH15xW12 with the hardware cloth bottom same you build, I'm totally stealing the design lol. I believe I have enough space in there or is there some other specific reason why cant leave the box in there?

[@cherylbarron1560]

Can you share with us what you feed your bunnies? We are trying to get our cost down.

[@buzzsah]

Nice to hear you are selling as pets.

[@SiobhdhraMc]

Hiya thanks so much for the vid .so we got a bunny approx 31-33 days ago the pet shop told us she was 10wks old. 3 days ago she started taking her hay and stuffing it into her hidy house we taught she was getting her hormones and going through a phantom pregnancy then yestetday she went nuts pulling her fur out and stuffing it in also we went out then when we came home I was cleaning her cage/pen and discovered something moving in her hidy house. Yes it appears she has had kits!! we can't believe it as she is not much past a baby herself we don't yet know how many as I didn't want to disturb the nest since she must have only had them. there of course was no evidence of her given birth as I know they clean it all up. heres my questions since she is still on alfalfa pellets and hay no greens will she still produce milk? also the hidy house is a trixy natural wood house with bed on top it's not very high can she actually feed her babies inside as she can't really stand up inside fully with the amount of hay she has stuffed it with. should I put the nest into a box for her with no top so she can comfortably feed them. should I start feeding her greens etc slowly from now as I was told to wait until she was 6mths. but maybe she needs them to feed kits? last night we let her run around our living room as usually but she was very overenergised and was biting us for no reason at times is this hormonal or could she be in pain?? other times she just wants the rubs like always. her pen is in the living room with us but we havnt seen her go in yet to the kits maybe she does it when we're not there. how soon can I check the kits as we don't know how many there are if there ok etc. I cant believe she had a litter so young.poor baby😢I believe the day we bought her she was transported with other bunnys to the pet shop that may have been when the deed occured or in the half hour she was in the pet shop caged with a lion head before we collected her. isn't 14and very young to parent??

[@jessicadivi-divi1555]

Rabbits can comfortably have kits at 8 weeks old, at 12 weeks (most) breeders begin getting kits out of them. She hit a happy medium, so don't worry about her being too young. Unfortunately I'm a bit late with my answer, but you should never suddenly change a rabbit's diet.

[@SiobhdhraMc]

Jessica Divi-divi hiya thanks for your reply. She did a fantastic job a raised 3 healthy boys and one girl. We just rehomed the boys yesterday they would have been 10wks on tue coming. Unfortunately they were trying to get at their sister (Which we kept to give mammy company)so now I'll have an agonising few weeks hoping they were not successful with either mammy or sis.As i couldnt supervise them all the time and didnt realise they would be mature enough at this age to father. Really don't want to go through all of that stress again. Thanks again.

[@MaeBunny-td4pl]

How old are the babies at the beginning? Plz reply! Thx ;)

[@akinolaolorunleke476]

Hi very nice video! How do I get large litter sizes, my doe just had 2 babies

[@LeeRalph100]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge!!

[@frozentootsiepop]

Hey John! What's your amazon link? I'm placing a pretty big order and I thought I remembered you had a link and I'd like to order through it.

[@jnull0]

frozentootsiepop I really appreciate you thinking of me, but alas I do not have an amazon link...sorry....................J

[@jnull0]

The Cosmic Rabbit Federation Maybe next year, we just got a new black otter buck that has a good pedigree, so maybe next year we will try...........................J

[@donneobispo10]

just subscribed. may i know the dimensions of your cage? and does it have a poop trey?

[@ForeverYoungTattooCo]

my doe is pregnant for the first time. she just gave 3 stillborn over the course of 2 days. she hadn't built a nest. when this happened. afterwards she made a nest. is there a chance she may give some live births or is that an indication that all will be stillborn?

[@myyoutube5422]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and videos. I just have one question, I had 2 pairs of rabbits, I think my dad said they were Indian rabbits (if there is such thing), then I fed them A LOT of horseradish leaves, and they all died the following day. Why? Is that plant leaves toxic?

[@burntchickennugget3120]

I know im late but i think it might be because their digestive system is very weak and if theres something different sometimes they will have an upset stomach or gas

[@burntchickennugget3120]

Also how old were they?

[@JoshuaSmithHomesteader]

Thanks for the info, great video. Cheers!!

[@ahtzirimanzanares8399]

What if the mother harms one of the kits? how do you raise the kits w out the mother?

[@imtethered1]

How often do you breed your does and do you breed into the winter or just the summer months.

[@2409forus]

Mary Ann North Wind Acres Mann For the mom's health, we usually skipped a cycle. Breed whenever you have at least 5-6 weeks straight without excessive heat or cold!

[@TheYoungerSemiOldMan]

Rabbits aren't like most animals and are cycling throughout the whole season. A good point by Mary Ann was your seasons. Everyone is different and contain them in different areas based on temps. For us in Los Angeles, times of the year don't matter.

[@dijiola7127]

Thanks Sir very help infos

[@joshuamayberry4301]

WHat makes the mommy eat the babies? Thanks!!

[@babyboy8597]

Hi,is it ok to feed a rabbit silage?.

[@slugganuggasmith6586]

I'm just getting in to this we will be getting a set up of cages that another rabbit guys used to hold 106 rabbits ......I was told that when a momma doe has her kits that you can turn around and rebreed her again for a second litter is this true?......

[@xXKimmyChanXx]

Yes they can but is it best?. No a mother rabbit that has just had kits and is nursing them needs time until there weaned away and time to put her weight back on other wise you'll have a very skinny sick doe...

[@sherylnapier6020]

great video. thanks!

[@vicphilip952]

that buzz buzz made me subscribe

[@awelschmeyer2281]

How long do you keep the baby bunnies in a grow out pen? And if you dont sell them all. Do you just separate them into new separate pens?

[@SeeShmemilyPlay]

They need to be with momma for two months, and you separate the boys and girls if you can't sell them all.

[@idiotwilson1474]

They need to be with mom for at least 6 weeks. I had to wean some at 4 weeks once. it was an emergency. The doe had accidentally gotten pregnate again. It was a huge mess, but all made it. the two litters I am talking about were my first two.

[@thepeppermintmom]

I have kits that are about six weeks old. and I have them in a grow out cage. What should I feed them and will they find the water bottle on their own. I am a first time bunny mommy. I just put them in the grow out cage today.

[@jnull0]

+Cordy Borrego We just feed ours regular food like the rest of the rabbits, and they always find the water as well. It just like a normal cage, just with more rabbits. Sounds like you are doing a fine job.......................J

[@thepeppermintmom]

+jnull0 thank you so much. I feel better...whew!!! They are doing very well so far. Thanks for responding.....love, love, love your videos!!!! Take care :).......cordy

[@BillyBranchHomesteadBlessings]

Good information and ty

[@davidwaytwolong5369]

thanks

[@minahumphries3768]

How common is it that babies die? Is it more common for first time moms?

[@homesteaderwant2b]

John , last week I had 3 Moms have there bunny's. At 4 days old I had one that was very thin and 3 runts. I changed the buns around by size . Now the litters are small medium , and large baby's and all are doing great.

[@CiaofCleburne]

Wow! Now I'm confused! This is exactly the opposite of what another KZbin'r says about the feeding of mother rabbits. He says NOT to feed dandelion greens to nursing does as this stops the milk production. I'm so confused...I guess I need to check out some books at the library because I like watching both of your channels but I just found baby kits in my doe's hutch and I want to do my best to help her milk production.

[@kc9388]

That’s what I have read online too. That they dry up the mothers milk. This man seems to know his stuff though. Top video

[@georgeshassoun2691]

Thank U

[@TheCosmicRabbit]

jnull0 has the best rabbits

[@survivalsiblings1622]

what about unexpected litters

[@seacookie4125]

did he say tums tablet ?

[@ncbully7630]

yup, he knows what he's talking abt

[@roberthamm2023]

Hey man would you be able to house male and female rabbits together? Would they continue to breed? I'd like to breed them but not having litters every other month.

[@rvenable8958]

robert hamm Bad idea. Male will never leave female alone and it's not a safe situation once the babies are born.

[@SeeShmemilyPlay]

They'll always breed. They can get pregnant a day after giving birth, and you don't want momma to get pregnant again while she's weaning her babies, which takes two months.

[@idiotwilson1474]

robert hamm bad bad baaaaad idea

[@globalninja4794]

what do you do after you've weened them?

[@jnull0]

Global Ninja We will move them to a grow out pen for a couple of weeks, or until they are sold.....................J

[@dispensationaldude8558]

How can you tell when a doe is in heat?

[@jcorle00]

From what I know (so far), they can pretty much get pregnant at anytime if the doe cooperates.

[@xXSlaughter3dXx]

How can you tell if a female is pregnant, i got a large californian, her son, and hwr daughter (all adult and weened) off of a girl and the eldest rabbit (the only one of the three who is a parent) has a fairly hard stomach and looks like a thanksgiving turkey, she also has a huuuge chin fat floof

[@SeeShmemilyPlay]

There are no physical signs of pregnancy. An experienced rabbit breeder/vet can palpate the doe before she's two weeks along, but afterwards only an x-ray can safely tell if she's pregnant.

[@idiotwilson1474]

SeeShmemilyPlay my doe usually acts weird when she's pregnant but you are correct. it's impossible to know 100% if she's pregnate just by looking at her.

[@TheCompound01]

When do you know when to breed your rabbits.

[@jnull0]

+Charles Houser We don't have a set time we breed, we will put the doe in with the buck and let them do their thing, and them do it again the next morning, that will usually do the trick. Hope this helps...............J

[@TheCompound01]

+jnull0 Thank you for replying. My wife and I enjoy your videos.. Have leaned a lot.. Have you ever had a doe that squeal the whole time.. She was being breed.. This happen just this past weekend.. I hoping she was old enough to breed. And didn't mess up her reproductive system..

[@dougwallace2210]

+Charles Houser female rabbits come in heat cycle every 3 days - could be she wasn't "ready" to breed -

[@brightspark8900]

great vid thanks!!

[@rvenable8958]

If you have a momma that doesn't take care of her babies, do you stop breeding her? Also, how much do you increase food after babies are born?

[@idiotwilson1474]

R Venable if it's her first litter try breeding a few more times. she'll learn.

[@-Zima-]

Прикольный дядька!:))

[@woodkoval1293]

ну да

[@LLC1970]

how much you selling female rabbit

[@allanclose9684]

Rabbits need salt and minerals.Get them at feed store, and wire it up head high so they don't pee on it. Oh yes, you have white chicken legs. ha ha ha I would put up a multi wire electric fence outside for critters and snakes [ for outside rabbits],'' not kidding.''

[@danielgutierrez6911]

Our mommy bunny wont feed them and they are dying can u help plz

[@idiotwilson1474]

Daniel GUTIERREZ I know it's too late now, but if it happens again goat milk

[@samanthablake5482]

Yes. Goat milk, or kitten formula we used and they all grew strong and healthy.

[@khloeowensby3027]

Bunnies belong inside, not in a cage, using water bowls, and non wired bottom flooring.

[@izziebee100]

What do you do with them all , do you breed them to eat

[@StBernardAcres]

Hey! Check your inbox and let me know if a message came through!

[@edor5021]

I like this guy. .......gist

[@willdwyer6782]

Tums and dryer lint? Don't listen to this guy. He doesn't know what he's talking about.

[@elliebellie1127]

ew keeping rabbits who love running miles daily in a tiny cage.. no