c - Agriculture Research Extension Network (ARENET)

warm. Cotton wool could be added to supplement fUr if necessary. The
keeper must keep on checking in cbe some of the youn er off and
miss suckling, which will result into death.
The doe will suckle her young once or twice a day.
7.4.7 Fostering
This means gettint 3 a doc e to acci ept rabbits from another doe and have it
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suckle them. This may be nec ;essary where one doe does not have
uficient milk. Fostering is carric :d out as follows:
Mate does on the same day
Litters should be born not mo re than : 3-4 days apart if fostering is to be
possible
Only foster rabbits, which are 5 days old
Remove both the foster and donor doe from their hutches
Carefilly remove the rabbits to be fostered without touching them
directly. Do not disturb those not fostered.
Rub a cloth in dump litter of the foster doe's hutch and wipe each
rabbit to be fostered with the cloth
Introduce the rabbits to be fostered, without disturbing the foster nest.
Leave the newly introduced rabbits for a few hours so that they take on
the smell of the hutch evenly.
Return the foster doe into the hutch ar y her with good food.
7.4.8 Kindling to weaning
The young rabbits must be allowed to suckle colostrum, which is the
concentrated first milk from the doe. Colostrum will enable young rabbits
withstand health problems. Young rabbits should be leR to suckle for at
least 30 days but most preferably 40 days.
7.8.9 Artificial feeding of rabbits
This is possible after 1-2 weeks and is done by us ing a sy: ringe. Cows milk
mixed .with egg york can be used as milk substil Lute. A : little of this milk
can be dropped into the rabbit's mouth. Great care must of course be taken
to avoid milk getting into the young rabbit's lungs, which could cause
pneumonia.
The first two weeks after kindling are critical and therefore good food
must be provided to the doe to ensure sufficient supply of milk. Plenty of
water must also be made available. Concentrate foods must be given at.
this time.