catching and nurturing baby rabbits

[Squib]

how old do they need to be to be weaned
can they be bottle fed until weaned
how to age/sex them with minimal contact until sure they're safe to take

there is a nest on my neighbors' and our yard border, possibly a second.  we peeked in one and it looked like the babies were okay BUT I've not seen any rabbits over there before so I'm not sure if a stray cat from the dump across the street got the momma.  I'd like to think the little ones can get out and eat some grass BUT that may not be the case.  they're the size of gerbils right now.  also, the lack of rain means no water availability that I am aware of.

[Casull]

If they're still alive a day later, then momma is feeding them.  I wouldn't bother them.

[BUGEYE]

the momma only comes occasionally to feed.   2 that I tried to raise would not eat or drink and beat themselves to death on the cage.   YMMV

[Squib]

I'd put them in an aquarium in an air-conditioned room and a few old workshirts so they'd be able to nestle in, let'em run around in the tub for a bit a few times a day too, get'em some exercise.

the not eating or drinking part is an issue though.  I put a bowl of water and some birdseed out there a little bit ago, hopefully they get up and check that out, or the momma does and gets that water to them via milk.  I'll check on them tonight if I don't spy a rabbit.  thanks.

[hillbill]

i have a freind who has raised several litters of cottontails.she has good luck with it but seems like a lot of trouble for not much return.i believe she said she fed them with a eyedropper every 2 hrs.that didnt make sense to me because i believe my domestic rabbits only feed their young maybe twice a day before they are old enuf to get out of the nest.if the babies are being fed by momma they wont really need water until they are old enuf to leave the nest and not even then if they can get enuf fresh greens containing enuf moisture.ever wonder about rabbits that you jump out that are a mile or more from the nearest water source?as far as weaning, domestic bunnies can be weaned at 4 to 6 weeks.id say a cotton tail would be about the same. maybe even as short as 3 weeks if they are eating solid food good and drinking water well.

[hillbill]

if they are big enuf to be on solid food you might want throw in some fresh greens. clover or native grass works well. turnips greens and sweet corn are are also good but a steady diet of corn is not good.avoid lettuce and cabbage. lettuce can give them the runs and cabbage can cuase stomach disorders if i remember correctly.

[blind ear]

In a pen or cage, wild born rabbits have to have enough weeds and grass to hide in and feel unseen and not run into the cage or fence.Wild rabbits usually have thier litter in a small covered nest in the ground.
 
 I think you have to be feed buttermilk that is thinned a little bit to get them to live, they cant digest sweet milk.
 
When my pop was a kid an old german blacksmith  taught him how to catch, castrate, care for and release wild rabbits. I don't know the entire process though. Pop said the rabbits would be big and fat that fall. ear

[Sourdough]

I agree with Casull, leave them alone.  Mama is probably out there hiding somewhere. 

[Mohawk]

I am a rabbit parent. Leave them alone. Mama knows where they are. And if any rabbit that you have to feed, cottontail or domestic, go to the local feed store and get them some Timothy Hay. Best food on Earth for them. Certain rabbit foods are OK, but Timothy Hay is a great balance of nutrition and fiber. Timothy Hay and occasional veggies are all they need. Very few wildlife leave their young as an orphan. They know way more than we do. Everytime I see a fawn or baby Mockingbird I think of this. Mama is still around when we think they young are abandoned. Mockingbirds feed their young on the ground for over 3 weeks after they have fallen from the nest.

[BUGEYE]

I'm sure the ones I tried were weaned.  I was plowing the green manure and when I got to the dead furrow, rabbits went in all directions.  I ran down 2 of them in the plowed ground and took them home in my lunch bucket.  I wish I hadn't done it.

[Squib]

I kept an eye on them everyday, they were getting too big to huddle up and stay in their shallow burrow but they stayed huddled up right there all the time anyways.  they were timid but wouldn't run after I stood over them and parted the grass and checked their condition visually (I made sure not to touch them).  they seemed scared to run into the open, though they had no problem moving a few inches away from me so they were mobile and healthy.  I thought I could give it a week and then just bring them home.... but they were gone friday or saturday last week.  I think they were ready to go, hopefully not to the dump across the street where the stray cats are.  I really wanted a couple rabbits.  Oh well, they were healthy and growing so quick, they're alright if they get a bit bigger and able to evade the cats.  I'll see them in the yard.  I put out feed so they should be around.  Thanks anyways