Recently, I went out to check on one of our does who was due to kindle (a term for giving birth to her babies). I was heartbroken to find 7 tiny kits (baby rabbits) frozen stiff on the cage floor. Kits are born almost bare-skinned and the mothers cover them up with fur that they pull from under their chins and bellies. I had given the doe the nesting box several days earlier and she had made a small nest there but she was a novice mother and just didn’t have it all figured out. I always feel so guilty when an animal or bird dies in my care. I ask myself, “Could I have done something to prevent it?” Coming into our warm farmhouse, I had a sinking feeling that I might lose the rest of the litters.
I told Jim, my husband, about the kits and we spent the rest of the morning digging out spare cages, cleaning litter pans and converting an area in our
basement into a makeshift maternity ward for the other three does scheduled to kindle in a few days.
We could have taken our chances with the other does. I’m glad we didn’t. A few of the runts (smallest baby rabbits) didn’t make it but we have 21 adorable kits alive and well. The kindle date is important to record, as most breeders and pet owners want to know how old the rabbit is that they are purchasing. I handle them every day contrary to the myth that if you get human scent on the kits that the mother will reject them. It’s important that you handle your rabbits as a calm, tame bunny is so much easier to work.
Rabbits are wonderful additions to any homestead and the only animal that is usually allowed in all urban areas. They can be a unique stress reliever as you really can’t help but relax when you are holding such a gentle creature.
If you decide that a rabbit might be for you, my local Buchheit store takes great care to bring an excellent variety of healthy rabbits to the farm department.
“Rabbits make wonderful pets, but they are a 10-year commitment. Like any other pet, they require attention.” –Lorraine Corriveau
Be blessed today! Annie
