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When and how to wean baby rabbits?
Weaning is the process of separating young rabbits (kits) from their mother (doe) and transitioning them from mother's milk to solid food. Doing this at the right time and in the right way is important for the health and growth of the kits and the recovery of the doe. Weaning too early or abruptly can cause stress and digestive upset in the kits.
📅 Created: 4/16/2025, 10:19:48 PM
- Wean at 5-8 Weeks of Age5
- Solution: Plan to wean kits when they are between 5 and 8 weeks old.
- Explanation: By 5 weeks, kits are typically eating solid food well (pellets and hay) alongside nursing. Leaving them until 6-8 weeks allows their digestive systems to mature further, often resulting in hardier weanlings. Earlier weaning (e.g., 4 weeks) is possible in intensive systems but carries higher risk.
- Notes: The exact timing can depend on your breeding schedule, doe's condition, and litter size.
📌 diy 🛠️ Calendar, observation skills4/16/2025, 10:19:48 PM
solution - Introduce Solid Food Before Weaning (Creep Feed)5
- Solution: Ensure kits have access to the doe's pellets and hay from about 3 weeks of age.
- Explanation: Kits will naturally start nibbling on solid food as they grow. Providing easy access ('creep feeding') helps their digestive systems adapt gradually before milk is removed entirely.
- Notes: Use feeders that kits can reach easily but that keep food clean.
📌 diy 🛠️ Low-profile feeder or allowing access to doe's feeder4/16/2025, 10:19:48 PM
solution - Weaning Method: Remove Doe5
- Solution: Wean by removing the doe from the litter's cage, leaving the kits in the familiar environment.
- Explanation: This method is often considered less stressful for the kits, as they remain in their known surroundings while only the mother is removed.
- Notes: Requires having a separate cage ready for the doe.
📌 diy 🛠️ Extra cage for the doe4/16/2025, 10:19:48 PM
solution - Weaning Method: Remove Kits4
- Solution: Wean by removing the kits from the doe's cage and placing them into a new grow-out cage.
- Explanation: This allows the doe to remain in her familiar cage, which can be beneficial if she is being rebred immediately or needs recovery time. Kits are moved together to their next stage housing.
- Notes: Ensure the new cage is clean and ready with appropriate food and water.
📌 diy 🛠️ Grow-out cage4/16/2025, 10:19:48 PM
solution - Monitor Kits Closely Post-Weaning5
- Solution: Observe weaned kits carefully for the first week or two after separation.
- Explanation: Weaning is a stressful period. Monitor for signs of digestive upset (diarrhea), dehydration, or failure to thrive. Ensure they are eating and drinking well.
- Notes: Providing hay and possibly a probiotic or supplement during this transition can sometimes help prevent digestive issues.
📌 diy 🛠️ Observation skills, potentially probiotics4/16/2025, 10:19:48 PM
solution - Wean onto Appropriate Feed5
- Solution: Ensure weaned kits have constant access to a high-quality grower pellet (typically 16-18% protein) and hay.
- Explanation: Their nutritional needs are high for rapid growth. Avoid sudden changes in the type or brand of feed if possible.
- Notes: Do not restrict feed for young, growing rabbits.
📌 commercial 🛠️ Grower rabbit pellets, hay, feeders, waterers4/16/2025, 10:19:48 PM
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