Woke up to this

Despite all the problems we’ve been having with these two litters, I still have yet to lose a single kit after the one runt passed a couple of days after kindling. The kits are now just about two weeks old, and although smaller than usual, they all seem to be doing fine. Eyes are opening without issues and today, Rosalind’s kits decided it was time to leave the nest. Most of them anyway.

I don’t normally see such small kits out of the nest on their own, unless by accident. But today more than half the kits were snuggled together out on the wire. I made the decision to remove the box and line the cage with hay. I’m sure it will be easier for Ros to nurse this way anyway, and it’s very warm out so I’m not too concerned. These kits are real troopers!

All the info I’ve read says to remove kits when a doe has mastitis. I could have done that, but I’m pretty sure I would have lost them all since they’re not really even eating solid foods yet. She only has one infected teat, and although it doesn’t look any better today, she seems to be active and comfortable. I doubt the kits are able to even access this nipple and she seems to be feeding them decently otherwise. Time will tell I guess. I continue to add apple cider vinegar to her water, provide plenty of hay and see how it goes. I may not continue the camphor rub treatments as I noticed she immediately went to work licking it off and I don’t think it’s meant to be taken internally.

Ironically, the more-developed kits in Tuna’s cage (which are actually a mix of her and Ros’ kits) are still snugly in their nest. She’s feeding them very well and I think the hand-feeding they received when very small has made them much friendlier. They don’t freak out when I put my hand in the nest like most young kits, these ones like to snuggle into my hand and enjoy tiny ear rubs. Ok, so just the Rex kits are acting this friendly. Are Rex bunnies more affectionate in general? More research is needed but so far the difference has been quite noticeable.