Im not sure if this is the right section to post in (please move if not)
I have a litter of 4 in the nest at the moment. They are now 6 days old.
I have 2 questions...First- At what time are the babies 'safe' from being attacked/killed by mum?
Second- When can I clean out the whole cage including the nest?
I know it wont be for a while but cant seem to find any posts relating to it
Thanks x
I do not think that they are ever 100% safe from being attacked, but once they leave the nest they will have less chance of intentionally being killed.
It's 4-5 weeks they leave the nest at, to explore and feed on mum's pellets etc. Ours were coming out at 3 1/2 weeks! I have photos of them sitting next to a minute food bowl I put on for them, but it looked HUGE complare to them :lol::lol:
You can clean the nest out a this point. You can clean the cage out around the nest - just don't spray any petsprays etc. Leave the nest until they move out of it though.
Once they are confident in moving out of the nest, you can start handling them and pop them in a wicker laundry basket with the top covered or similar, in a safe place (away from cats) whilst you clean out the nest.
One thing to remember though is that kits can wiggle out of the nest and fall down ladders, etc before their eyes open. If you find a kit out of the nest, rub your hands in the rabbits dirty bedding, pick the kit up, warm him (as they freeze to death!) using a luke warm covered hot water bottle (or pop him inside your top) then place him back with the others in the nest.
Mum moves poorly kits out of the nest, so if you find the same one is out of the nest a lot this could be why.
Awww I miss having baby buns.. ours grew up into marauding monsters! :lol::lol: They are delightful!
BTW: APH I looked at your site, and am fascinated! I was curious as to why they don't eat slugs etc as they do in the wild in the UK? What do they natively eat in Africa?
:wave: