Two of my does had litters just over 2 weeks ago. Early last week, during severe heat, all the bunnies died, except for 1 in each litter. I put the two babies together with one doe, and rebred the other doe a few days later. The two babies were doing super great - growing very well. Then this morning when I checked on them, they were both dead. It hasn't been exceptionally hot here for the past week, so I'm confused as to what has happened. Any ideas???

-- David (fiosacademy@yahoo.com), August 30, 2001

Answers

Bunnies are always very fragile. Maybe they were dehydrated.

-- Rick#7 (rick7@postmark.net), August 30, 2001.

I don't know what happened, but let me suggest something. What we do during extreme heat, especially with pregnant does or does who have new babies, is put a frozen soda-pop bottle filled with water(ice) in their cage. They lick it, lay on top of it, etc. and it helps them stay cool. You may or may not already do this, but I thought I would suggest it. Hope it goes better for the new babies.

-- Tracey (trjlanier@cs.com), August 30, 2001.

It could be the heat or any number of things. Sometimes bunnies just die. better luck with the next batch! I have to keep a box fan on in my little bunny barn every day during the summer and each bunny receives his or her own icey bottle on hot days. that helps some

-- Suzy in Bama (slgt@yahoo.com), August 30, 2001.

The best thing to do is to not breed in the middle of summer. Rabbits can take cold much better then heat.You may lose 2 [or where i live 3] months but the rabbits will be healthier in the long run if they dont have to kindle in 90 degree or hotter heat. Just my 2 cents.

-- kathy h (ckhart55@earthlink.net), August 30, 2001.

Rabbits are real sensitive to the heat. Here in Eastern Washington we are routinely up to 100-105 and higher during the summer. Our rabbits have fans and frozen 2 liter bottles to lay against. If I do breed does in the summer, I will take the nest box with the kits into the laundry room in the house whenever it goes over 85 degrees. So the kits do not overheat. I also take out all but a minimum of fur and straw (some moms make to big of a nest for the summer!) This allows mom to rest and not be bothered during the hot part of the day. When it cools in the evening I take them back to the does. Most does only nurse 1-3 times a day and the night time is plenty for the kits. My does each have there name on their nestbox so I can return them to the right doe. I have never lost a kit doing this but did lose some when I didn't bring them in. Also the kits that died later still may have been stressed and just didn't recover from the hot spell. Or possibly with only 2 kits the doe may have overfed them (it is possible to lose them from too much milk) If I can answer other questions please let me know. Good Luck with the next bunch. Denise

-- Denise (Rabbitmom2@webbworks.com), September 01, 2001.

Do you have flies. We had some and the flies litterally ate them alive. Horrible sight

-- Tom Calloway (Calfarm@msn.com), September 02, 2001.

I think they were overfed. The babies were absolutely huge for their age, so I think that's probably what happened.

Thanks everybody for the information! I truly appreciate you all!

-- David (fiosacademy@yahoo.com), September 02, 2001.