Care of Orphaned Bunnies

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Trying to raise orphaned wild rabbit species (cottontails,

hares, etc.) is rarely a rewarding venture.  Bunnies are often

orphaned when people unknowingly disrupt a nest.  Lactating does

(females) nurse their young for only 3-5 minutes in the early

morning hours of each day, giving the uninformed observer the

impression that the new mother is neglecting her litter or that

she has abandoned it altogether.  This is how people mistakenly

make orphans out of bunnies that are, in fact, being well and

properly cared for by their mothers.  Causes for abandonment of

the nest include agalactia (doe with no milk), mastitis (doe

with infection of the mammary glands), hypothermia (chilling) of

the young, and physical disturbance of the nest itself.



Whenever possible, orphaned bunnies should be placed with a doe

nursing her own litter.  Success is most likely if the orphans

are less than 2 weeks of age and within 2 days of the age of the

litter belonging to the foster doe.  A drop of perfume or a pine

oil-type scent applied to the nose of the foster doe helps to

prevent rejection of the orphaned bunnies.  Orphaned bunnies

under 3 weeks of age can be fed warmed, supplemented, Esbilac

(Borden).  Two alternative formulas are included in the Appendix.

Substitute milk formula should be given slowly 2-3 times daily.

Up to 5 cc (1 teaspoon) can be given the first few days.  The

volume is increased slowly to 15 cc (1 tablespoon) the second

week, and to 25 cc (nearly 1 ounce) by the third week.  The anal

area should be gently swabbed with a warm water-soaked cottonball

to stimulate defecation and urination.  Aspiration pneumonia,

hypothermia and diarrhea are frequent consequences of

hand-feeding orphaned bunnies.