Fuzzy-Rabbit.com

tinkerbell85 · Joined: 14 Mar 2010 Posts: 1

Hello,

I Have 7 rabbits and just over two weeks ago one gave birth, she has given birth before. The babies were about two weeks old, healthy. Today we introduced them to the other rabbits and when we returned we couldn't find the babies anywhere, would the other rabbits have eaten them without leaving any trace? Also the mother is now bleeding again, could she be giving birth again?

Thanking you in advance

nytquill17 · Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 3323 Location: Quebec, Canada

As far as I know rabbits don't eat their young, as they are obligate vegetarians. They can and do kill their young, both on purpose and by accident, but it has more to do with crushing or injuring them or leaving them exposed than actually eating them. On occasion a mother bun will accidentally chew off a baby's ear or leg through overzealous/misguided grooming.

Odds are they are somewhere around - though they may be in poor shape. The mother bun needs to see a vet as she should not still be bleeding. It's possible for her to be pregnant again already if she has been allowed in with males but it's equally possible that she has some kind of injury from the birth or a medical problem with her reproductive organs.

You don't say, and you don't have to say, but I hope you're not intentionally breeding your buns or if you are, I urge you to reconsider and have your buns spayed or neutered. Unspayed females run an 80% chance of uterine cancer and in general buns of both sexes are much happier once altered, not to mention the issue of overpopulation and abandonment/euthanasia in shelters due to lack of good homes for the already-too-many buns that are out there.

Also if you ever have baby buns again, please think twice before introducing them to the others at such a young age - they are much more likely to come to harm when they are small enough for an aggressive/jealous adult bunny to crush or smother - and especially before leaving them unsupervised with adult buns other than their mother. I'm sorry for your distress Sad

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Harrison · Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 119

Bindi · Joined: 05 Nov 2004 Posts: 5906 Location: South-east UK

I've only ever known rabbits to eat their young within the first few days of birth. I think two weeks old is pushing it a bit, I reckon there would be some evidence of an attack.
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ruecole · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2010 10:38 am Post subject:

From what I've read, it is VERY rare for domestic rabbits to eat their own young. And even rarer for them to intentionally kill them. They will eat any babies that have died as a means to clean up the nest. Some people think after they die, the mother thinks they're a placenta (which they also eat as a means to clean up the nest and replenish the mother's depleted resources) and that's why they eat them. Gross, I know. Shocked

Males will almost always kill young babies--even their own babies. Not sure if he'd eat them, though. Intact males should never be kept with intact females, anyway. Not only does this prevent unwanted to litters, but it also prevents any fighting. Females have been known to do damage to a male's, er, male parts. Rolling Eyes

Anyway, like Bindi, I think there'd be evidence of a struggle if the other rabbits ate the 2 week old babies. Perhaps they slipped through the bars of their enclosure? Or somesuch? Or maybe they're still there, just hidden somewhere?

I do think it's unwise to put 2 week old babies in unsupervised with other adult rabbits.

I also think, if the mother is bleeding, that she should see a vet. It's unlikely that she's pregnant and giving birth so soon (rabbit gestations are 31 days), but she could have some problems with her reproductive organs. Best to get that checked out!

Also, it's recommended that you spay and neuter your pets. They're healthier, live longer, and don't contribute to the unwanted pet population.

Hope that helps!

Rue
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nytquill17 · Joined: 12 Dec 2006 Posts: 3323 Location: Quebec, Canada

Ok I stand corrected on the eating thing - but it is unlikely for them to do it and even less likely that there would be no trace of them had the other rabbits attacked, injured or killed them.

It's possible for rabbits to carry two litters at once since their uterus sort of forks in two, but my understanding has always been that when that happens usually one or both of the litters fails to develop completely and is not viable. Odds are more in favor of an injury, tumor or stuck baby, but in all cases swift medical attention is your best bet.
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Thanks, Liv, it's lovely!

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DAISY_AND_PEACHES · Joined: 13 Jan 2007 Posts: 3589 Location: NJ

my roo loves chicken Wink

lol

update on the baby buns?
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Harrison · Joined: 06 Jan 2006 Posts: 119