Weaning can be broken down into two separate topics, small litters and large litters.
Small litters (3 or less) can be weaned all at once. The kits should be removed to another cage (or cages). They should be given unlimited pellets and hay. The doe should be cut back to half of a single rabbit ration of pellets but remain on unlimited hay. The decrease in pelleted ration helps by reducing her milk production.
Larger litter need to be weaned off gradually, only removing 2 or 3 kits from the cage per day. This way the milk production decreases normally. Once the last few kits are removed, the doe should be cut back to half of a single rabbit ration of pellets but remain on unlimited hay, just as with weaning a small litter.
Sometimes it helps to give all involved rabbits some kind of treat at weaning time so there is less stress. |
