Lionhead Rabbits

On the night before December 17th, my 2 rabbits, a 6 month old lionhead doe, and a 5 year old mini lop buck, accidentaly got together. On the night before Monday, Janurary 16th she had 2 kits, one was still born and the other is alive and very active. I know their supposed to be born blind, hairless and deaf. The baby is about 3 days now but still doesnt seem to have any hair, is this normal? Also, my doe jumps into the nest whenever i enter the bunny house and im afraid shes going to step on the baby, is that a problem? have any other tips for the babys survivial? ANY tips or info you can give me helps!!!
Thanks!
Dear Brighter,
You are very much mistaken when calling me IRRESPONSABLE. Toby i didnt get till he was 4 years old wich is much to late to get him fixed in the first place and his last owners caused him many problems with GI stasis, of which he is still having trouble with so it wouldnt be safe for him to go through that surgery. Reba, i got when she was only a couple weeks old, she had a planned date with our vetranarian to get fixed but then she got pregnant right before that date. They live in seperate hutches so it shouldnt have happened. I show rabbits in 4h and have gotten Grand Champion so i think i know what im doing.

Yes, it is normal for 3 day old kits to have no fur. Their fur doesn’t just come overnight! It will come in a few weeks or so. Don’t worry. Just make sure that the kit doesn’t get too cold. Since it is winter, baby bunnies have a higher rate of dying. Monitor the baby, without touching it, regularly, checking to make sure that there are no injuries to the baby, or any other problems. If you suspect a problem, call a vet.

It’s normal for the mother doe to hop into her nest when someone approaches. This is because in the wild, rabbits are prey animals. Their natural instinct is to run away. The mother is probably very sensitive about her baby. She doesn’t want anyone to mess with her baby – much like human mothers are protective and sensitive towards their young. The mother knows where the baby is, unless she lost her scent, which is unlikely, unless you mess with the baby too much – which I recommend that you not do. But, since the doe is a very young mother (6 months of age is typically not recommended for rabbits to breed. I usually advise waiting for breeding until at least 9 months of age, if not a year, depending on the breed of rabbit.), there is a chance that an accident could happen. New rabbit mothers, just like many human mothers, are somewhat inexperienced at being a mother the first time around.

But, instead of worrying whether it is a problem if the mother steps on her baby, it is better to take precautions not to startle the mother in the first place. When you approach her cage/house, walk quietly and slowly, taking great care not to make sudden, loud sounds or movements. Talking to the doe softly and soothingly often helps. Do not try to mess with the baby unless you absolutely have to. Like I said, the mother is very protective and sensitive towards her baby, and she doesn’t want you to mess with the baby! Don’t mess with the doe more than needed, either. She just gave birth, for crying out loud. Would YOU want to be messed with?

Does feed their young during the night, for only a few minutes at a time. It’s very likely that you won’t even witness the doe feeding her baby at all. Does also need more feed during this time, because she is making milk to feed the baby. I typically advise people to install a J hopper feeder in the cage, and provide unlimited free-fed rabbit pellets at all times. The mother will eat what she needs to in order to nourish herself and the baby. These feeders only cost a few dollars at a farm supply store, or the pet store. (Actually, I use them full-time for three of my rabbits, and they work great.) Make sure the doe has plenty of water, too. And, as I said before, monitor the baby and its development, and watch the doe, too.

I hope this helps!