This may sound unusual but, here goes. I don't have a fenced in yard so, I clip 2 leases together & loop one end over the door knob, to let my dogs go potty. We are renting so don't want to put up a fence. This gives the dogs a small potty area (but convenient for cleaning). To keep them form bringing in too much mud, I bought a bale of straw (half of which is still beside the back door). Two days ago one of my dogs was making a fuss to go out but wasn't acting like she needed to potty. I looked out the door & saw an adult rabbit just scratching, licking, & preaning itself. (no porch just 2 steps) I knock on the door, it ignores me. I beat on the door like a drum, it finely looks up & slowly hops away toward the back. It was in no way afraid. Today when I went to use part of the straw to plant a potato in a half barrel pot, I saw a pile of grey fur between the house & the bale. It's the rabbits nest & has at least 2 maybe more babies hat seem to have all their fur. They are half the size of an adults small fist if that. The main problem is that ever since the dogs saw mama, now they won't stay away from the bale. I'm afraid the dogs will eventually get the babies.

How big does a wild rabbit need to be before it can survive without mama? Aside from putting up a barrier for the dogs, is there anything that can be done to remove the rabbits without killing them? Any ideas?

Thanks

animalfarms (IN)

-- animalfarms (jwlewis@indy.net), May 02, 2001

Answers

Being an animal nut, I am always excited about the prospect of helping out some animal, but you've done the wise thing about not picking them up yet. Keep them protected from the dogs anyway you can, bec a dog will be a dog and follow his instincts. You can do several things. First, watch out for the mama. How long has it been since you saw her? If she is coming back and forth, them leave the babies alone till you can do something with the whole family (if possible!). Call a local vet or humane society and find a wildlife rehabilitator and if none, do they know of anyone who can relocate or care for the rabbits. If the mama has left them alone then you need to do the previous step even faster. You can feed the babies if need be, kitten milk replacer or better, goats milk with little bottles I think even Wal-Mart carries in the pet section. Alot is up to you as to how much you are willing to put into this timewise. Feel free to email me if you'd like. If they are totally furred out, what do their eyes look like, open or closed?

-- Sonya (clb@watervalley.net), May 02, 2001.

I think the eyes were open but couldn't say for sure as I didn't want to disturb the nest any more then I already did.

The only time I ever saw mama was 2 days ago. Except for that & finding the nest today, I had no idea they were there. I figure (mostly because of the dogs) mama would come & go late at night & early morning. Unless I see them out the glass in the door, I won't be able to sneek a peek (noisy door catches at bottom). I won't care for (feed) the babies unless they are eating solid food (grass, hay, etc...).

I like the idea that humane society (or Fish & Game) might move them for me. This sub-division seems to have a few loose dogs (always the same ones, & never together, so far all friendly but won't chance a dog fight especially with my kids around). Several farms around here also (houseing buying up farms). My neighbor yesterday, had to call the humane society to come get a dog from his back yard. It had been shot in the back leg or hip. It's one thing to shoot a stray dog for any reason (no one likes to lose stock), but I wish those that do would make sure they kill it (no offence intended). My kids (boys 2 & 4 years) could have been hurt. My neighbor & I are in a double, so back yards are small but joined.

Thanks

animalfarms

-- animalfarms (jwlewis@indy.net), May 03, 2001.

Animalfarm, sounds like this might be a domestice bunny if your noise didnt scare it, what did it look like?

-- kathy h (ckhart55@earthlink.net), May 03, 2001.

No, it was definatly wild. I might never have been hunting (yet), but I've seen too many rabbits (both domestic & wild) to make that mistake. Wild rabbits that live in sub-divisions quickly lose their fear of man, learn the limits of dogs (fences, chains, etc...), & soon learn how to raid peoples gardens. I've put a couple of buckets in front of the bale for now (I trained my dogs well on respecting barriors & fences. (I could take some 2x4's, make a square by laying them on the ground, & tell the dogs they had to stay in it. And they would, even if a bird was to land close, they wouldn't chase it if they had to leave the square without permission.) At most, if I moved the nest for any reason, it would only be for 2-3 feet, to get it out of reach of the dogs.

Still, my main question is, how old does a rabbit need to be before it no longer needs mama? And would it matter if I moved both the bale & nest over?

animalfarms

-- animalfarms (jwlewis@indy.net), May 04, 2001.

Rabbits can be very sneaky about feeding their babies. They usually don't feed them but once a day so you may miss it when she comes to feed them. That's why so many people often think baby bunnies have been deserted when in actuality the mama is caring for them.

If they have their eyes open there is a chance you could feed them kitten milk with a small bottle. I have successfully raised one wild rabbit that way and then turn him loose in the woods. But I was not successful in raising two other tame babies even tho they lived with me feeding them for two weeks.

Do everything you can to keep the dog away from them. Can you tie the dog somewhere else for a few days??? good luck and let us know what happens.

-- Suzy in Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), May 04, 2001.

baby bunnies will not open their eyes for 2 weeks. They are mother dependant until about 4 weeks min.

I had to litters born last night. I go into the nesting box and handle each baby, removing any dead kits and soiled nesting material. Never had any ill effects or rejection from handeling any of the litters even from new mothers.

My take on this...taking your dog potty routine into consideration.

Trap the mother, move the babies into a small box/cage with as much of the straw/fur as you can get. Place mother in with them. Provide food and water. If you want the mother to run free, let her out in a day or two. Mother bunnies usually feed once or twice a day and then for only about 5-10 minutes each time.

If you have a garden it is not a good idea to encourage bunnies running free.

-- westbrook (westbrook@qnet.com), May 16, 2001.