I know a ton of breeders that wean their baby rabbits under 7 weeks old. I wean at 7 and a half weeks. Personally, I believe the longer nursing helps in the long run with digestive issues and such. For the first time, I had to wean a baby when she was under 7 weeks old. I made an exception to my rule, because she was being picked on (fur was being pulled from her head, and her siblings were chewing on the fur over her body).
There are many reasons why people have to wean their babies under 7 weeks.
To me, these are the only reasons a bunny should be weaned under 7 weeks. For the purpose of selling them when they are smaller and "cuter", well, that's just selfish.
If you have to wean a baby under 7 weeks old, there are some extra steps you can take to ensure the baby will wean properly and not get sick or have digestive issues.
There are many reasons why people have to wean their babies under 7 weeks.
- The mom is no longer nursing the babies and nipping or biting them to make them stay away from her.
- A baby is being bullied or picked on.
- The cage is getting too small - with litters with over 5 kits, the space runs out quickly!
- The babies are getting too messy (pooping and peeing on each other). This is usually because the cage is too small.
- The mom is getting frisky with her babies in attempt to breed again.
- The babies no longer nurse - they prefer hay, water and pellets.
To me, these are the only reasons a bunny should be weaned under 7 weeks. For the purpose of selling them when they are smaller and "cuter", well, that's just selfish.
If you have to wean a baby under 7 weeks old, there are some extra steps you can take to ensure the baby will wean properly and not get sick or have digestive issues.
- Provide the baby with hay, hay, hay! Lots of hay. Never ending supply of hay.
- If you have probiotics like AcidPak 4Way, put that in their water.
- Make sure they have enough food, and finally,
- Give them lots of love!!!!!
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