Hi; I thought that I would share my recent attempt to save a litter after one of my does died. I had a doe that had a litter of 4, that was also nursing 2 orphans.She died while the babies were only 2 weeks old. I had another doe that was still partially nursing a 7 week old litter. I removed the 7 week old litter and gave her the six orphans.She sniffed them and pulled them under her chin.I watched her for a long time and she was never nasty to them.I have never seen her nurse them, but it has been 4 days and they are growing. regards Ourfarm

-- Ourfarm (Ourfarm@noaddr.com), January 07, 2002

Answers

Response to Saving a litter

I'm assuming this is a rabbit? Nice job! Hope they thrive for you.

-- Shannon at Grateful Acres Animal Sanctuary (gratacres@aol.com), January 07, 2002.

Response to Saving a litter

oh my when you said doe the first thing that came to mind were my goats!! i though 6 kids on a doe oh my gosh!! :-D good luck with your rabbits! lol

-- marie (jolly_old_goat@hotmail.com), January 07, 2002.

If they are growing, sounds like they are getting mild from the doe. Often does are so quick at feeding you never see them nurse. Good Luck with the babies. Denise

-- Denise K. (Rabbitmom2@webbworks.com), January 09, 2002.

Thanks for the replies.I thought that other rabbit raisers might have been interested in a mother that just finished weanining a litter could help save another one.I have read so many stories of people trying to feed orphaned litters that did not have happy endings,besides we did not want to handfeed the babies that will eventually be supper.Maybe others may also try this in a pinch. regards ourfarm

-- ourfarm (Ourfarm@noaddr.com), January 09, 2002.