Why can a bunny scatter bunnies right after birth and what to do
Rabbit breeding has certain characteristics that are recommended for all beginners to take into account. Particular attention should be paid to the behavior of pets and take into account the maternal instinct of rabbits after birth. Inexperienced breeders often ask the question: why does the rabbit throw the rabbits right after the birth?
Why does the bunny throw bunnies out of the nest
Often a situation arises when, immediately after birth, the female begins to scatter her cubs. According to experts, it will be possible to eliminate this problem only after a clear definition of the provoking factors. Therefore, the breeder must analyze the observance of the rules of pet care and, if necessary, show the rabbit to the veterinarian.
Improper feeding
If the rabbit gave birth and scattered her cubs, one can suspect a violation in the diet. The lack of vitamins and minerals negatively affects the behavior of the female. This is especially true a few days after giving birth. An unbalanced diet makes the rabbit too fearful and excitable. In this case, she begins to equip the nest, and then ruins it. In this case, the female can throw out the rabbits.
If the female is thirsty during and after birth, she can eat the babies to replenish the lack of fluid.
Stress
A number of external factors affect the behavior of the female. These include repair noise, dog barking, engine operation, and rats entering the premises. This provokes an increase in the excitability of the rabbit and can cause scattering of cubs.
The reason that the female does not shelter and throws out the rabbits may be the increased attention of the owners. If babies are handled too often, they will lose their natural scent. As a result, the mother will not be able to identify them.
Sometimes the rabbit experiences stress that is not related to external factors. It can be caused by congenital mental disorders. This problem cannot be fixed. Such animals are not recommended to be allowed to mate.
Infections and other factors
If the female has thrown off the rabbits, she may be suspected of mastitis.This term is understood as an inflammatory lesion of the breast, which is accompanied by discomfort. In this case, the female may refuse to feed her cubs.
At an early stage in the development of mastitis, the affected nipples swell and become red. They can become coarser and denser. The sick animal loses its appetite and feels intense thirst. There is also a risk of increased body temperature. The behavior of the rabbit also changes - she can become lethargic or, conversely, too active.
The provoking factor of mastitis can be an infection. Milk stagnation, endocrine abnormalities, hypothermia also lead to the problem.
Violations of the conditions of keeping animals also become the cause of problems:
- lack of anterior wall in the mother liquor;
- insufficient amount of hay to equip the nest;
- too low temperature;
- violation of the structure of the mother liquor - through the damaged areas, feces and pollution enter it;
- intense heat and stuffiness.
What do we have to do?
If the rabbit does not show concern for her offspring, you need to take timely measures. In this case, you can try to awaken the maternal instinct in the rabbit or place the cubs with another female. There is also the option of feeding the rabbits yourself.
Awaken the maternal instinct
To do this, it is recommended to do the following:
- temporarily move the rabbit to another cage;
- collect rabbits using disposable gloves;
- take the female's fluff;
- wrap rabbits with them - this must be done from all sides;
- after half an hour, place the rabbit in the queen cell;
- holding the female on her side, attach the cubs to the nipples.
After removing the female from the cage, it is necessary to carefully examine the room for the presence of dead cubs - sometimes they remain in the hay. If the female has given birth for the first time, it may be necessary to stimulate lactation. To do this, gently massage the nipples until drops of milk appear.
Before applying the cubs to the mother, gently massage their abdomens with a damp cloth. It is recommended to do this in the direction of the excretory organs. Thanks to this, the feces will come out. You need to apply rabbits to the mother once a day. The duration of the procedure should be a quarter of an hour.
Add to another rabbit
If the instinct is not awakened, it is recommended to plant young animals with another female. It is recommended to take rabbits of the same age. In order for the female to be able to accept the cubs, she should be moved to another cage for a certain time.
Rabbits should be taken with clean hands. It is permissible to process the palms with wormwood. Then the cubs are recommended to be well cleaned of fluff and hay residues and put in the nest. It is advisable to place them in the center - between the native rabbits.
After 20 minutes, the female can be returned to the nest. During this period of time, other people's cubs have time to acquire the desired smell. As a result, the female will not be able to distinguish them from her own rabbits.
Feed yourself
In the absence of a suitable female, you can try to feed the cubs yourself. For this, it is permissible to use whole cow's milk. It can also be mixed with condensed milk. This should be done in a 3: 1 ratio.
It is recommended to feed the rabbits 4-6 times a day. This should be done with a pipette. After 20 days, they begin to drink from the nipple, and at 1 month - lap from the saucer.
The scattering of cubs after birth can be due to a variety of factors. The most common causes of problems are inappropriate conditions of detention or various diseases. To cope with this situation, it is necessary to establish the provoking factor and take measures to eliminate it.
