Another litter expected too soon

[mamabun]

Kits are now 4 weeks old and eating pellets and lettuce. Matilda is fat and behaving like she is going to deliver another batch today or within the next 2 days. Yesterday I removed the kits from her and she became aggressive and the kits tried any way to get back into the cage to be with her. I gave in and put the kits back in the cage with Matilda but my concern is that new kits will arrive and these kits can't be in the same cage when the new ones come. Should I proceed with removing the kits outside the cage so she can prepare for the new litter in peace? She doesn't seem interested in feeding the kits anymore so weaning milk supply isn't the issue just weanng from mother contact is an issue. Please help I am stumped what to do.

 

[Latestarter]

@Bunnylady @DutchBunny03 @samssimonsays @promiseacres @Pastor Dave

 

[promiseacres]

When is she due? I start removing the kits 8 hours a day as my does all seem to need a break at around 6 weeks. Maybe you could start that and hope she has the new litter while they aren't with her. Then just keep them separately after.

 

[mamabun]

When is she due? I start removing the kits 8 hours a day as my does all seem to need a break at around 6 weeks. Maybe you could start that and hope she has the new litter while they aren't with her. Then just keep them separately after.

Thank you.

 

[Pastor Dave]

4 weeks is early, but in the wild it is when it happens.
I do 5 weeks to give them and the doe that extra week.
I even give her a few days after before breeding her again.

If you have a doe ready to kindle in two days, the 4 week old kits have to be moved. I believe she would definitely kill them if she felt they threatened the new litter. If they tried to nurse and there is new ones, I think there would be hell to pay.

I haven't had this problem before because my breeding is all managed and controlled. The big industrial rabbitries will breed the doe as soon as she kindle to keep up productivity and have that next litter as soon as current one is 4 weeks. This hurts the doe's health and shortens her life. She will be very productive for a short couple years, but will die much sooner.

I had to repost this because my phone evidently didn't post it yesterday. I had to edit it too because it dropped the last parts off the draft copy. Hope this helps.

 

[mamabun]

4 weeks is early, but in the wild it is when it happens.
I do 5 weeks to give them and the doe that extra week.
I even give her a few days after before breeding her again.

If you have a doe ready to kindle in two days, the 4 week old kits have to be moved. I believe she would definitely kill them if she felt they threatened the new litter. If they tried to nurse and there is new ones, I think there would be hell to pay.

I haven't had this problem before because my breeding is all managed and controlled. The big industrial rabbitries will breed the doe as soon as she kindle to keep up productivity and have that next litter as soon as current one is 4 weeks. This hurts the doe's health and shortens her life. She will be very productive for a short couple years, but will die much sooner.

I had to repost this because my phone evidently didn't post it yesterday. I had to edit it too because it dropped the last parts off the draft copy. Hope this helps.

I haven't received a lot of feedback so I went with my gutfeeling and removed the kits last night. This was my fear that she would protect a new litter by killing these kits. I am a new bunny owner and am still learning. My female jumped the divider I have separating him and her as this was unexpected I surely didn't want her bred only a day after giving birth, so this was indeed an unplanned pregnancy.
Thank you Pastor Dave, this was helpful as you confirmed my feelings of what should be done.

 

[mamabun]

When is she due? I start removing the kits 8 hours a day as my does all seem to need a break at around 6 weeks. Maybe you could start that and hope she has the new litter while they aren't with her. Then just keep them separately after.

I believe she will be due either tonight or tomorrow. I removed the kts last night and they are all doing very well this morning; eating and playing. Thank you for your help Promiseacres.

 

[Pastor Dave]

@mamabun
The litter will do fine. Both of them
If you have more questions, there are plenty of knowledgeable rabbit folks on here. So, don't hesitate to ask.
Are you doing pets, meat, fur, or fiber?
Good luck in your endeavors!

 

[DutchBunny03]

Good thinking. The kits are physically ready to eat exclusively solid food, just do not give them any greens until they are at least 5 months old. In the future, try to give the kits at least 6 weeks with the dam, and wait as long as possible before rebreeding. This gives the dam a longer breeding span, and improves her overall health. Hope your new kits are great!

 

[DutchBunny03]

@Pastor Dave , 5 weeks isn't long enough with the dam under normal conditions. Though the kits may technically be weaned by then, some of them might not be. The dam also still has a milk supply longer than that, so taking them out suddenly or too early isn't good for her, either. I'm not trying to tell you what to do with your rabbits, just trying to give you a couple tips.