Is it possible to feed rabbits without a rabbit?

Rabbit breeders are interested in the question: "How to feed rabbits without a rabbit?" Indeed, when breeding offspring, they are often faced with the fact that for some reason the female either refuses the offspring or cannot provide him with adequate nutrition. To feed the rabbits on your own without a rabbit is a rather difficult task in this case.

Babies without mother's milk are doomed from the first days of life. But do not despair, proper care and artificial nutrition will help put them on their feet. As a result, the strengthened, healthy rabbits will answer you with their gratitude - a beautiful appearance.

Read also the article: what to feed the rabbits?

Rabbits: care in the first days of life

Babies are born completely naked and blind, a small fluff begins to cover the body only after 5 days, the eyes open only on the 10th day of life. The weight of newborn animals is only 90 grams, but after a week with proper care and feeding, they begin to grow in size and gain weight. Therefore, the mother's refusal from the offspring can lead to irreparable consequences - the death of the offspring.

How to feed the rabbits in this case for their full and timely development? One individual, depending on age, drinks 5-10 ml of the mixture per day. After a while, the portion is increased to 20 ml. Newborns need to be fed up to 4 times a day, since they do not yet have eating skills.

Artificial feeding of rabbits: how to replace the female's milk?

If newborn babies are not able to receive breast milk, then there are several other options you can try:

1. Natural fresh goat milk, similar in composition to rabbit milk, but slightly inferior in fat content.
2. Artificial mixtures for feeding animals contain all the necessary nutrients and vitamins.
3. You can also use the formula for babies, presented in a wide range in the network of pharmacies.

Caring for babies after birth

A syringe or pipette is perfect for feeding. Leading rabbit breeders recommend feeding rabbits with a 20-gram syringe equipped with a rubber pipette tip with small holes at the end. Caring for rabbits in the first days of life should be constant. It is better if the orphaned babies are in a warm, cozy room.

When feeding the rabbit, they carefully take it in their hands and, placing a syringe in the mouth, slowly inject the mixture or milk, preheated to 37 degrees, so that it does not choke. Nothing will happen if the first try doesn't work out the way you would like it to.

Cubs first get used to receiving food in such an unusual way. Do not give more than 1 ml of food at a time, the newborn's tummy should not overflow. If the attempt is unsuccessful, repeat all over again, and soon the young individuals will learn to eat right. And the question: "How to feed rabbits without a rabbit?", You will no longer be interested.

Before you start feeding, treat the tummies of your wards with a soft material soaked in warm water, but in no case pressing on it. You need to start from the navel with a smooth transition to the hind legs.This is done in order to cleanse the rabbits of feces, because they themselves cannot lick themselves, the female does all this for them.

Artificial feeding of rabbits requires a special approach. It is necessary to prepare the mixture in clean dishes. After finishing feeding the muzzle, do not forget to wipe it with a soft cloth.

If the abandoned rabbits are 20 days old, then you shouldn't even think about feeding them, because from this age they already feed on their own. As a top dressing, you can use hay, feed in granules, carrot... But milk should not be excluded from the diet, it should be present until the end of the first month of an individual's life.

What are the rabbits fed with and the frequency of feeding depending on age

As the individual grows up, the amount of bait and its volume change:

1. In the first 7 days of life - 2 ml for feeding. It is worth giving the recommended dose several times a day. If the pet eats much less, then the required amount of milk should be fed 3-4 times.
2. At the age of 7-14 days: 5-7 ml several times a day. Before and after feeding, a gentle tummy massage is done for better assimilation of food.
3. For 2-3 weeks of life, 7-13 ml of the mixture 2 times a day. But now you can gradually introduce solid food - hay in the form of granules and solder it with plain water.
4. Rabbits are 20 days old, what to feed now? All with the same milk, but increasing the portion to 13-15 ml.
5. At 6 weeks, the individual is weaned from the nipple. The animal begins to gradually move to a complete diet. At this time, you should monitor how the pet perceives this or that food, while not forgetting about its digestion.

How to feed the rabbits per month?

The pet has grown, got stronger and gained strength, now we refuse milk or a mixture and move on to solid, complete food - granules, green baits, oatmeal in the form of flakes, hay, which should always be dry and fresh, without fungi such as mold and rot ... The kid should always have access to clean water.

How to feed rabbits without a rabbit? Be patient, as caring for babies takes a lot of time and knowledge.

How to feed rabbits correctly - video

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Part 2