2nd litter update

The 2nd litter will be 2 weeks old tomorrow! They are sooo much bigger than the others were at this point. There is one that looks like a wild rabbit that is absolutely adorable...I fear if it is a boy he will be joining Smoky and the Bandit as permanent family members! We let them out of the cage today to play while my family was here and they hopped around and stretched like they were big, it's hilarious to watch. They are even getting interested in Oreo's food which is about a week earlier than the first litter.

More Surprises!

Yesterday morning we went out to check on the rabbits and found several clumps of hair in the cage. My first thought, again, was that someone was hurt but after doing a quick "ear" count everyone seemed fine. I went back in the house to clean the kitchen and the guys were working in the yard. Within minutes, I heard a high pitched squealing and ran out to see what was going on. Oreo had the solid white baby in her mouth and was slinging it from side to side. They were out in the part of the cage that we can't reach so I was fussing at her and hitting the side of the cage with a dishtowel, Jacob was screaming and Shannon was desperately trying to reach through the door and get the baby. She finally dropped her and came out to where I could reach her...I held her while Shannon went to get the cage that Butterscotch had been living in. I knew she was just trying to wean them but seeing her with a mouthful of the baby's hair really upset me. We decided to seperate them since the babies are eating so well on their own.

This morning, Jacob and I went out to check and see how they did on their first night alone to find Oreo with a cage full of her own hair. She had pulled out massive amounts and tucked it all in her litter box. I commented to Jacob that I didn't understand why she had pulled it out when I saw the hair moving. Shocked beyond belief I realized that there were babies in the litterbox under the hair! I gently pulled back the hair and could see 2 brand new babies. Keep in mind that Oreo and Butterscotch have not been in a cage together since the day the first litter was born on August 7th, 32 days ago. Pregnancy for a rabbit lasts roughly 30 days. I was in shock the entire day and Jacob thinks it is fantastic that we have more babies. I understand now why she was getting so rough with the litter yesterday...she was trying to prepare for a whole new litter.

Tonight when we get home we immediately go to check on everyone...after gently looking through the litterbox I find 4 babies. The best I can tell is that 2 will be spotted like Oreo and 2 are black. One of the black ones might have a white belly. Shortly after getting home the guy that we gave Butterscotch to called and asked if I was ready for him to pick up everyone else. He was shocked that we had newborns too. He came on by and Jacob said he could take all of the first litter until I had them boxed and then he started crying. I, of course, caved and we kept Smokey (solid black) and the Bandit. Here are some final pictures of the first litter and one of the new litter. Oh, and can I just say how tired I am of surprises?

Baby Rabbits, Day 25

Butterscotch went on to his new home tonight. We knew the young man would be coming soon but we weren't sure exactly when until he called around 5pm tonight. Jacob immediately got sad...I did too until I went to get Butterscotch from his cage and he fought me like a bear. Okay, maybe not a bear but he fought like a much bigger rabbit than he is. Jacob's tears dried up a little too when I walked back into the house dripping blood from both hands. You would think with this many rabbits I would have learned how to pick up the bigger rabbits by now. Butterscotch's new owner gave me a quick lesson when he showed up as I was washing my cuts out...I just can't stand the thought of picking up one of them by the scruff of the neck though. They look so pitiful hanging in midair. Butterscotch's new owner was a talker so 2 hours later when he finally leaves I look over at Jacob who is struggling not to cry. In a moment of weakness, I tell my baby that he can keep two of the bunnies instead of getting rid of everyone like I had originally said. Oh, what was I thinking??

Baby Rabbits, Day 24

All the babies are doing well and have adjusted to the hutch outside! I am so happy to have them outside and even happier that they seem content.

Baby Rabbits, Day 23

Here is a picture of Butterscotch, he is the daddy rabbit. Strange how none of the babies look like him. He is seeing the babies for the first time since they were born in this picture...wonder if he is thinking there must have been another rabbit in the hutch since they don't look like him? He is supposed to go to his new home on Monday. The others will be ready to go within 2 weeks.




Oreo trying to make a break for it.

The babies are eating rabbit food, hay and drinking from the water bottle. They are also escaping on a regular basis from the makeshift home in my dining room. We were sitting in the living room early this morning and kept hearing something moving around. I thought it was Abby, our dog, doing something outside until a little rabbit came hopping out of my son's TV stand! As I mentioned before, I am VERY tired of cleaning up after them twice a day so we decided to move them outside to the rabbit hutch today. I truly hate to put them outside but it is time. We usually have the hutch at the far back corner of the yard but we have decided to temporarily move it down to the back porch. Butterscotch has been living in the hutch so we moved him to a smaller cage and moved Oreo and babies to the bigger hutch. All but one of the bunnies seem very happy to be outside and have the space. One of the Oreo lookalikes is the one that doesn't like being in there and is staying huddled in the corner...I worry she won't make it through the move. I have added pictures of the babies in their new home.

Baby Rabbits, Days 12 - 18

The babies are hopping around and acting like they are big stuff. I have even caught them sneaking Oreo's food out of the bowl and eating her hay! The little white one with the black stripe and one of the ones that looks like Oreo have discovered how to squeeze through the cage and escape also. We are having to keep a very close eye on them so they don't disappear. They are playing a lot but they still sleep the majority of the day. They are so cute to watch...I truly hate to see them find other homes but I am tired of cleaning up after them all.

Pictures of the babies Day 7 - 12

Today, I just want to show you a few pictures I've taken across the last 2 weeks. You will be amazed at how far the babies have come!