Looking After a Rabbit That Has Given Birth

The pitter patter of tiny paws will soon be hopping through your home! Your beloved rabbit has given birth to a sweet litter of kits. What an exciting new chapter! However, raising these fragile little ones into healthy, thriving rabbits requires preparation and care. There’s so much to learn about protecting the new mom, establishing the nest, nurturing development milestones, and more. Join us as we explore the wonder of new life and discuss proper techniques to help you support mama bunny and give her babies the best possible start during these first magical weeks. With some planning and attention, you’ll have happy, bonded bunnies flourishing in no time!

Remove the Father Rabbit

The birth of a new litter of bunnies is an exciting time, but it requires some adjustments to ensure the health and safety of the mother and kits. One of the first things you'll want to do is separate the father rabbit from the mother's cage. This is important for a few reasons:

The mother may become territorial and aggressive toward the male during and after the birth. Rabbits in the wild do not stick together to raise young, so she will likely see him as an intruder who poses a threat to her new babies. Any fighting could potentially injure the kits.
The male rabbit may try to mate with the mother shortly after she gives birth. Back-to-back pregnancies are extremely taxing on rabbit does and should be avoided. Separating the male ensures the mother has time to recover and bond with the current litter before considering another.
The male may be curious about the new kits and unintentionally harm them if allowed access. Newborn bunnies are extremely fragile, so it's best to remove any risk of them being stepped on or injured. The mother will protect them ferociously, which could result in her attacking the father.
Removing the male rabbit reduces competition over resources like food, water, and nesting material in the cage. The mother needs ample access to these things to stay nourished for milk production and keep her babies warm. The male's presence could discourage her from properly caring for the litter.

Ideally, the male rabbit should be moved to his own cage or enclosure at least 1-2 days before the babies are due. This gives the pregnant doe time to adjust and begin nesting behaviors. Be sure to provide the male with his own food, water, litter box, and enrichment items since he will no longer be sharing.

The father rabbit can usually be safely reintroduced once the kits are weaned, around 8 weeks old. Monitor the first interactions closely for signs of aggression. Some female rabbits may never tolerate the male again after giving birth, so be prepared to house them separately if needed. Putting the mother's needs first helps set the litter up for healthy development.

Why Separation is Vital

Separating the mother rabbit from the father and rest of the litter after giving birth is critical for several important reasons:

Reduces Stress: Giving birth and caring for a litter is physically and emotionally taxing for new rabbit moms. Removing distractions and potential causes of stress allows her to focus on recovery and nourishing her babies.
Prevents Accidental Injury: Newborn rabbits are extremely fragile. Allowing unrestrained access to the father or other adult rabbits risks them accidentally stepping on or crushing the tiny kits.
Protects Babies: Rabbits are prey animals, so mothers can be very protective after giving birth. She may attack or act aggressively toward any perceived threat to her litter, including the father. Separating them removes this risky dynamic.
Limits Competition: A crowded environment means competition for nursing, food, warmth, and nest space. Isolating the new family ensures the kits' needs are put first and the mother has ample resources.
Allows Bonding: Early days and weeks are vital for the mother rabbit to recover from birth and bond with her babies through nursing and grooming. This helps the kits develop, thrive, and recognize her scent.
Prevents Overbreeding: Female rabbits can conceive again almost immediately after giving birth. Separating the father prevents this back-to-back pregnancy and gives the mother time to fully wean the current litter before breeding again.
Reduces Infanticide Risks: Occasionally, female rabbits may cannibalize or kill their young due to stress factors. This risk is reduced by eliminating disruptions and potential causes of maternal anxiety.

While the separation period can vary, a minimum of 4-5 weeks is recommended before slowly reintroducing the father or other rabbits. This allows the kits to grow stronger and progress through key developmental milestones first. Once the litter is weaned and maturing well, supervised introductions can begin again.

Make a Nest for the New Litter

Preparing a proper nesting area is one of the most important things you can do to get ready for your rabbit to give birth. Here are some tips:

Line a box or cage with plenty of soft, cozy bedding. Good options include straw, timothy hay, shredded paper, or natural fiber fabrics like fleece. Avoid wood shavings, which can irritate sensitive newborn skin.
Add extra fluffy materials like cotton, wool, or angora rabbit fur so the mother can insulate the nest and hide the babies.
Provide nesting boxes the mother can hop in and out of with low sides 3-4 inches high. Avoid deep boxes she could have trouble accessing.
Use a large box or joined boxes so the nest has plenty of room for the litter to grow. The mother will likely try to keep it very clean.
Place the nest box in a quiet, dim area of the cage away from high traffic. Provide privacy with barriers if needed.
Add edible nest material like hay and grass so the mother can snack during nursing sessions. Easy access to food and water is vital.
Avoid disturbing the nest as much as you can. Check briefly for any dead or orphaned kits who may need help. Then give mom her space.
Do not clean the nest until kits are 2-3 weeks old. This allows it to build up familiar scents and bacteria to help their gut flora develop.
Ensure the cage itself is disinfected and safe for kits. Remove hazards, particularly wire floors that small paws could slip through.

The more comfortable and secure the mother rabbit feels in the nest, the better care she can provide. Customizing it to her preferences will give the litter a healthy start. Be flexible and responsive to any changes she makes.

Nest Life

The first weeks of a rabbit kit's life are spent snuggled inside the warm, cozy nest their mother prepared for them. Here's what to expect as they develop during this special time:

Days 1-7 – Newborns: Kittens are born furless and with closed eyes after a 31 day gestation. They nurse frequently and pile together for warmth and comfort. The mother begins cleaning the nest of waste to protect them.
Days 8-14 – Fur and Eyes Develop: Their fur starts growing in at around day 7. Eyes begin opening between days 10-14. They become more alert and crawl around the nest. The mother continues diligent care and feeding.
Days 15-21 – Exploration: Once able to see and get around, the kits start cautiously hopping out of the nest for brief explorations under close supervision. They return frequently to nurse and will still spend most of their time in the nest.
Week 4-5 – Independence: By a month old, the kittens are fully furred, eating solid foods, using the litter box, and becoming quite adventurous! They play and bond as a litter while spending more time outside the nest.
Week 6-8 – Weaning: Nursing slows as they transition to solid foods. The mother begins actively discouraging nursing. By 8 weeks old, kits are usually completely independent and weaned.

While tempting, try not to handle the babies much during this period. This allows natural bonding and weaning. Only interfere if you notice any individual health concerns requiring attention. Overall, aim to provide a quiet, safe environment for the nest to facilitate healthy development.

Don’t Restrict the Mother’s Food or Water

When caring for a rabbit mom and new litter, it's important not to restrict the mother's access to ample food and clean water. Here's why this is vital:

Nursing Uses More Energy: Producing milk to feed a litter of bunnies requires significantly more calories and hydration. Restricting nourishing resources could cause the mother's health to decline.
Appetite Increases: In the days after giving birth, the doe's appetite will naturally increase to compensate for the demands of milk production. She needs to be able to eat and drink more.
Milk Supply Must Be Maintained: Limiting food and water risks decreasing the mother's milk supply. This could lead to malnourished, underweight kits who fail to thrive.
Hunger Can Stress the Mother: A hungry, thirsty mother rabbit may become anxious or irritated due to discomfort. This stress could cause her to neglect or even cannibalize the litter.
Food Supports Healing: The birthing process is taxing. Good nutrition provides energy for the mother's postpartum recovery and healing.
Electrolyte Balance is Important: Nesting mothers need ample fluids to avoid dehydration. Electrolyte supplementation can also be beneficial after labor and delivery.

Remember that the mother knows best what she needs to nourish her growing litter. Provide a variety of healthy foods like greens, vegetables, hay, and pellets. Refill water bottles frequently. Supportive care sets up both the doe and kits for success.

Is the Mother Lactating?

It's normal to be concerned about whether your rabbit mom is properly lactating and able to nourish her litter after birth. Here are some signs to check:

Plump Breasts: The mother's nipples and breast area will appear enlarged and full when producing milk. If they instead seem small or shriveled, lactation may be inadequate.
Nursing Activity: Kits eagerly nurse for long periods when getting sufficient milk. If they quickly lose interest or rarely nurse, low milk supply could be an issue.
Milk Letdown: Gentle mammary gland massage should result in drops of milk being expressed. Lack of leakage indicates problems.
Weight Gain: Kits should steadily gain about 10 grams daily in the first week. Inadequate weight often means inadequate milk.
Crybabies: Excessively vocal, constantly crying kits are often hungry and unsuccessfully attempting to stimulate milk flow.
Kittens Appear Hydrated: Well-nursed kits have round bellies and pink, plump skin. Dehydration signs like sunken eyes or wrinkled skin warrant concern.
Mother’s Diet: The rabbit doe needs excellent nutrition and hydration herself to produce a good supply. Support her needs.

If you have concerns about low lactation, consult an exotics veterinarian. Supplements, fluids, or even medical treatments may be given to improve production and support the litter. Keep a close eye on nursing and growth.