23/07/2022
Interesting experience here recently:
Had a litter of six Holland Lop tricolors born June 1. All healthy and happy.
Had a second (and will be the final litter here!) born June 19. By day three post-delivery, was apparent that mama wasn't doing well; did all I could, but she died on day five, leaving four orphans.
Within two days, two of the four also died. None were interested in eating/nursing anything I offered, and each morning, I expected to find the remaining two dead, as well. I sort of force-fed them some JumpStart paste I keep on hand for puppies and foals, but barely was able to get any of that into them.
Every day, I was surprised to find the two still alive. On their tenth day, eyes open and they kept insisting on escaping the nest box...and I'd find one or both in the adjacent cage with the June 1 litter - MUCH bigger bunnies in that bunch. The two June 19 bunnies were getting through the 1x2-inch wire separating the two cages and really seemed intent on continuing...
So, on the third day, I decided to leave them with their much bigger half-siblings, crossing my fingers once more.
Well, these two tiny young ones are still here! Of course, being rabbits, their new mama and adopted litter mates didn't object at all. While they may (or may not) have been stunted by their rough beginning in this world - they are ridiculously smaller than the older bunnies still, they understand all about eating and, in fact, are the first to meet me when I'm feeding everybody.
Here's one of each litter...photo doesn't give a true idea of the size difference, either.
Questions welcome on all...June 1 litter of four boys and two girls will be eight weeks old July 26.
