Alright, new homesteaders! As an experienced rabbit breeder, I know that welcoming a litter of baby rabbits, or kits, as we affectionately call them, can be an exciting but daunting experience. It’s like waiting for a tennis ball to drop – you never know exactly when it’ll happen. Knowing when your rabbits’ eyes will open is just one of the important milestones in their journey from newborn to adult rabbits.
Understanding the Birth of Baby Rabbits
When a female rabbit, or doe, gives birth to her kits, you’re instantly struck by how helpless these little newborn baby rabbits look. As I remember when my first American rabbit breed doe gave birth, I was awed by the tiny, blind, and deaf kits in the nest box. I quickly learned that despite their lack of initial development, mother rabbit knows best and will provide the best care for them.
A Mother Rabbit’s Care
Rabbit mothers, contrary to popular belief, do not abandon their young. Instead, they visit the nest of baby bunnies a couple of times per day, usually under the cover of darkness, to feed their kits and keep them warm. As pet owners, our job is to provide a quiet place, ensure they have a warm nest, and monitor the progress of the newborn kits.
The First Few Days: Blind and Deaf
The early days of life for the newborn rabbits are fascinating. These small animals are born without the ability to see or hear. When I held my first kit, I was startled by its different colors and the softness of the rabbit fur. The babies’ eyes are sealed shut, and their ears are folded over.
Weeks of Age
Around the 10-12 days mark, you’ll start to see some magic happening. This is the time when most rabbit breeders and pet parents eagerly anticipate the opening of the rabbit’s eyes. This milestone usually occurs between the 10th and 12th day of life for most domestic rabbits, including the New Zealand rabbit breed.
Eyes and Ears Opening: An Important Milestone
One of my most memorable moments as a rabbit owner was seeing the eyes of my first litter of kits open. Seeing the world through open eyes for the first time, the kits start to explore their nest box with renewed curiosity. They are still sensitive to bright lights, so it’s a good idea to keep them in low light conditions to avoid startling them.
Ears Opening
Following shortly after their eyes, their ears begin to unfold and stand upright. When this happens, they are also beginning to develop their sense of hearing.
Weaning Period: A Major Change in Diet
Once the kits’ eyes are open, it’s time to think about introducing some solid food. Around the 3rd week, I start offering fresh hay and a little bit of oat hay to the kits. Always ensure they have clean water available as well.
Transition to Solid Food
The transition from mother’s milk to solid food needs to be gradual to prevent any health issues, particularly in the intestinal tract. The best thing to do is to introduce solid food in small amounts, increasing it slowly as they get more used to it.
Development Beyond Eyes and Ears: Other Physical Changes
As your baby rabbits continue to grow, you’ll notice they’re beginning to look like miniature versions of their parents. It’s a sight that never gets old! Depending on the breed of the rabbit, their adult colors and markings will start to come through.
Common Health Concerns in Baby Rabbits
Despite our best efforts, health issues can arise in baby rabbits. Regularly monitoring them for signs of illness, like lack of appetite or lethargy, is crucial to their survival.
High Risk
Newborn kits are at high risk for many complications. In my experience, the most common is gastrointestinal issues, typically caused by an improper diet or sudden changes in diet. For this reason, their diet must be carefully monitored.
The Role of the Homesteader: Care and Support
As rabbit owners, our role is crucial in ensuring the good health of our newborn kits. Special care should be given to ensure they have a safer place to grow up.
Human Intervention
Remember that despite your best intentions, most expert human care is no substitute for a rabbit mother’s care. As much as we may want to, constant handling should be kept to a minimum, especially in the first days of life.
Watching your pet rabbits grow from newborn kits to juvenile rabbits is truly a rewarding experience. So, whether you have a family group of domestic rabbits or you’re caring for a nest of wild rabbits, the journey of these adorable little creatures is nothing short of magical.
Just remember, patience is key. Those little eyes will open when they’re ready. And when they do, it’s a sight you’ll treasure forever. Good luck, new homesteaders!
Frequently Asked Questions
When can you touch baby rabbits?
It’s generally best to avoid handling baby rabbits for the first week of their lives. If you must, ensure your hands are clean and gently handle them for only short periods. From 8 days onward, you can handle them a bit more, but always ensure the mother rabbit is comfortable with it.
Do 2-week-old rabbits need water?
Yes, 2-week-old rabbits can start to drink water. Although their primary source of hydration and nutrition is still their mother’s milk, offering fresh, clean water in a shallow dish can help them transition to a more varied diet.
How can you tell how old a baby bunny is?
Determining a rabbit’s age can be tricky but look for key developmental signs. Newborn rabbits are hairless, and their eyes and ears are closed. By a week old, they’ll have fur. Around 10-12 days, their eyes will open, and their ears will stand up. By 3 weeks, they’ll start nibbling on solid food, and by 7 weeks, they should be fully weaned.
How long do baby bunnies keep their eyes closed?
Baby rabbits typically open their eyes between the 10th and 12th day after birth. However, the exact timing can vary slightly based on the breed and individual development.
Will a mother rabbit reject her babies if you touch them?
Contrary to popular belief, most mother rabbits will not reject their babies if a human touches them. However, it’s best to limit your interaction with the babies to reduce stress and avoid potential injury.
Do mother rabbits stay with their babies at night?
Mother rabbits typically don’t stay with their kits all day and night like some animals. They usually visit the nest to nurse their young once or twice a day, often early in the morning and then again at night. This behavior helps prevent drawing attention to the nest and keep the kits safe from predators.
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