Raising baby bunnies is hard work for Mama and even harder for rehabilitators. We just can't adequately replicate Mama's nutritious milk and good care. The science is getting better but a lot of it is still mysterious and just plain luck.
Did you just find a nest of orphaned bunnies in your yard? Chances are, you didn’t!
Many of these bunnies pictured here weren’t orphans until they were kidnapped by well-meaning people. When they found a nest of babies by themselves, they thought Mom had abandoned them.
Rabbit mothers do not sit on their babies like birds do. In fact, once hatched, birds don’t even sit on their babies except when they are sleeping. They are busy all day long finding food to feed the hungry chicks.
It’s the same thing with Mama rabbit. During most of the day and night she is busy eating as much grass and greens as she can so she can stop by the nest once or twice a day to nurse her kits.
It isn’t safe for her to sit around and guard them as she doesn’t have teeth or claws to defend herself or them.
This is a great article and video from Good Housekeeping on what a bunny nest looks like and what to do if you find one.
PSA: Check for Bunny Nests Before Mowing Your Lawn This Summer
This photo, from dadvsdad.blogspot.com//rabbit-patch.html/, shows an empty nest after the babies have left.
They only stay in the nest for a couple weeks as it isn’t a safe place. As soon as they can, they disperse and start eating greens on their own.
They are very secretive and hide well, so if you’ve seen a tiny bunny hopping around, either you have good eyes or the bunny wasn’t paying attention.
Rabbits are most active at night but you may catch a glimpse of them in your yard at dusk.
I was mowing and disturbed the nest!
- Place the disturbed grass or leaves back on the nest, and sprinkle flour around it. When Mama comes back at night, she will leave little paw prints in the flour.
- This will not work when it’s raining, though.
- Leave the area around the nest unmowed, preferably up to 10 ft in diameter. It’s only for a short time, and you are helping out wildlife.
But I have dogs!
- You can get an inexpensive laundry basket and cut an entrance hole and an exit hole just big enough for an adult rabbit.
- Stake it down over the nest. Mama already knows there are dogs around, and the babies have been there since they were born without the dog noticing.
Why she would even build a nest in a dog pen?
- Rabbits are prey animals and always on the lookout for creatures that might eat them. Dog pens are usually wide open spaces with 360 degree views.
- Mama can sit on the nest and nurse her babies very quickly, while also surveying the area for threats.
- Mama has learned the dog’s habits and adjusted her schedule accordingly.
If you have accidentally mowed the nest and injured the bunnies
- Place them in a warm, dark box lined with cloth and call me at 706-255-7395. We will work together to get the bunnies into care.
If you uncover the nest and see flies
- Call me, as something has happened to Mama.
If you covered the nest back up and sprinkled flour, and have not seen any prints and it’s been 36 hours
- It’s time to call me.
