When the doe just gives birth, does she feed them right away?

by Halo
(Anchorage, Alaska, USA)

Our rabbit just gave birth, and she never fed them. It has been around 2 and 1/2 hours, and still nothing, is that bad, is there a concern?

****Karen Sez****
Heh, you just think she didn't feed them. At least some of the kits got fed during the kindling process, possibly all of them.

Even going forward, it will take the doe about 5 minutes a DAY (er, night) to feed her kits.

So no worries. Just so you know, the doe will pretend to completely ignore the nest box during the day. But, just as long as the kits' tummies are round and full of milk, all is well.

Feel free to go check 'em now, and to ensure the nest is clean and free of afterbirth.

Have fun, and God bless you,
K