Mom and Kits Time Line out to 1 Year
4 weeks
Mom’s kits should be weaned (stop nursing) at about 4 weeks (28 days). The kits will continue to nurse if Mom allows it, until about 7 to 8 weeks. They may nurse for a short time when Mom is eating. Of course, there are smaller kits who may need to nurse until about weeks 5 or 6. The first assessment of their gender can be done at this time, and you will be able to confirm it as they get older.
7 to 8 weeks
At this time, the kits can become very hormonal, which can lead to fights. They can cause great harm to each other when they fight, similar to adult rabbits. The kits need to be separated if they fight. The gender can be confirmed at this time, and the boys and girls should be split up into different foster sites. Mom can stay with the females.
12 weeks
The males can be fertile at this time. You will need to examine whether one or both testicles have dropped. If they have, you must remove any unspayed females that have not been removed by this time. Males, based on your exotic DVM, can be neutered at this stage. We recommend that the rabbits be at least 2 lbs and that both testicles have dropped. Your exotic DVM should examine the kits prior to neutering for size, age, weight, and overall health.
Mom 12 weeks
Mom can be spayed at 12 weeks if she has not been nursing her kits for 2 weeks. She needs to be separated from nursing her kits, as this can affect the anesthesia during her spay. It is understood that we are not DVMs. Your DVM should be aware that she was a nursing mom and know when she last nursed. We use 12 weeks to allow Mom private time to recover from having kits.
Mom’s Diet after kits and or spay
Mom was on unlimited alfalfa hay and baby pellets. You will need to transition her to adult hay and pellets over a 3-month period. Start with a small portion of adult hay during this time. Gradually change from unlimited baby pellets to adult pellets, scaling back the portion of pellets to the adult portion during this period.
Female Kits 6 months
Female kits can be spayed at about 6 months if they are at least 2 lbs. By this age, their organs are more fully developed for the major operation. The procedure should be performed by an exotic rabbit DVM who has conducted a pre-spay exam.
Kits to young rabbits (1 year young)
We don’t give kits greens until about 12 weeks. They need to start with small amounts, just a leaf or two. If you give too much, they might get "poopy butt." They can reach adult size at about 10 to 12 months. Remember to start small and introduce a new type of green one week apart.
Kits' pellets are unlimited until about 8 to 10 months. You can start to transition them to adult pellets and hay and portions from 10 months to a year. Each kit is different, of course. Please contact your exotic rabbit DVM or your local 501(c)(3) rabbit rescue group for exact details.
