How to Raise Newborn Rabbit Kits

1 Eight Key Points

1. Colostrum early: rich milk with antibodies; ensure nursing within 6 hours of birth.

2. Foster or hand-feed: foster surplus kits to a doe with few kits and plenty of milk; rub the foster doe’s milk on the kits so she accepts them. If no foster and low milk, hand-feed: under 5 days use 200 ml fresh milk + 3 ml cod-liver oil + 2 g salt + 1 egg; after 5 days use cow, goat or soy milk; around 10 days use 50 ml condensed milk + 50 ml water + a spoon of corn syrup + 1 yolk; temperature 37 to 38°C, fed slowly by syringe with a short rubber tube.

3. Assist nursing: timid first-time does may refuse; hold and calm the doe, put kits at the nipple, 1 to 2 times daily for 3 to 4 days until she cooperates.

4. Early supplements: at 17 days start small amounts of nutritious easily-digested feed (soy milk, rice water, tender greens), increasing gradually to train the gut; wean at 30 to 40 days.

5. Timed weaning: at 30 to 40 days, move the doe to another cage and leave kits in the original to reduce stress; after a week, group them.

6. Prevent ‘dragged’ kits: low milk or fright can make a doe carry a kit out of the cage; return it at once to avoid freezing or starving.

7. Warmth: in winter, early spring and late autumn, keep warm with ventilation and light.

8. Disinfect the doe’s gland often, to stop staph infection and the yellow urine disease kits get from the milk.