Psycho-Babble Social Thread 832937

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Tiny Baby Bunnies In House In Back Yard What to do

Posted by Phillipa on June 4, 2008, at 17:39:57

They were mowing our lawn today and up against the house is a hole with five tiny rabbits in it. One hopped out I picked it up and put it back in it's nest. With the heat is there anything we can do to protect them. So tiny and cute. Put a bowl of water next to nest. No trees for shade either and boy it's hot. Put some of Pups hair there as Mom must have collected some before as we saw it in the nest. Husband says not to feed. Should we thanks. Phillipa

 

Re: Tiny Baby Bunnies In House In Back Yard What to do » Phillipa

Posted by fayeroe on June 4, 2008, at 21:19:09

In reply to Tiny Baby Bunnies In House In Back Yard What to do, posted by Phillipa on June 4, 2008, at 17:39:57

> They were mowing our lawn today and up against the house is a hole with five tiny rabbits in it. One hopped out I picked it up and put it back in it's nest. With the heat is there anything we can do to protect them. So tiny and cute. Put a bowl of water next to nest. No trees for shade either and boy it's hot. Put some of Pups hair there as Mom must have collected some before as we saw it in the nest. Husband says not to feed. Should we thanks. Phillipa

You must shade them and keep a low plate of water there. Mom will be back. Be sure you have shade for them, as the hot sun will dehydrate and kill them.

 

Re: Tiny Baby Bunnies In House In Back Yard What to do » fayeroe

Posted by Phillipa on June 4, 2008, at 22:51:03

In reply to Re: Tiny Baby Bunnies In House In Back Yard What to do » Phillipa, posted by fayeroe on June 4, 2008, at 21:19:09

So the top of the hole like they are in and the pine straw the Mom put on them will now provide enough protection? Any suggestions seriously? She's still nursing them saw her tonight. Did put water next to nest and Mom drank a bit and got her feet wet. Thanks Phillipa

 

Mostly leave 'em alone -- Mom will do the work

Posted by Racer on June 5, 2008, at 12:00:02

In reply to Re: Tiny Baby Bunnies In House In Back Yard What to do » fayeroe, posted by Phillipa on June 4, 2008, at 22:51:03

Seriously -- baby bunnies are nursed one time per day, only, ever. Mom will take care of them. If you get your smell on them, though, she may be frightened and abandon them. Keep putting some water nearby -- the pups won't drink it, but Mom will appreciate it.

And otherwise leave them alone. Stay away from the burrow. Let Mom do her job.

 

Re: Mostly leave 'em alone -- Mom will do the work » Racer

Posted by Phillipa on June 5, 2008, at 12:22:11

In reply to Mostly leave 'em alone -- Mom will do the work, posted by Racer on June 5, 2008, at 12:00:02

I googled it and it said she feeds dawn and dusk don't want them to burn will add ice cubes to the water the little dogs I have only poop in the late morning in back yard. I did pick one up and put it back in the burrow. Greg said the burrow will keep them cool but at the high 90's? I hope they live maybe she will move them. Thanks for answering. Added extra pinstraw. Phillipa

 

Re: Mostly leave 'em alone -- Mom will do the work » Phillipa

Posted by Tabitha on June 5, 2008, at 20:25:27

In reply to Re: Mostly leave 'em alone -- Mom will do the work » Racer, posted by Phillipa on June 5, 2008, at 12:22:11

It's probably cooler than you think, down in their burrow.

 

Re: Mostly leave 'em alone -- Mom will do the work » Tabitha

Posted by Phillipa on June 5, 2008, at 21:02:52

In reply to Re: Mostly leave 'em alone -- Mom will do the work » Phillipa, posted by Tabitha on June 5, 2008, at 20:25:27

I sure hope so as didn't see the Mom today should I check to see if they are alive tomorrow? Was 96 today and supposed to be l00 for the next week and it had been 70-80's. Love Phillipa

 

No -- don't check. Leave them to Mom to care for (nm) » Phillipa

Posted by Racer on June 6, 2008, at 9:08:23

In reply to Re: Mostly leave 'em alone -- Mom will do the work » Tabitha, posted by Phillipa on June 5, 2008, at 21:02:52

 

Re: Mostly leave 'em alone -- Mom will do the work

Posted by Phillipa on June 6, 2008, at 11:41:19

In reply to Re: Mostly leave 'em alone -- Mom will do the work » Tabitha, posted by Phillipa on June 5, 2008, at 21:02:52

How can they survive in l00 degrees it's that hot out today? Greg said they were moving in there?Phillipa

 

Re: Mostly leave 'em alone -- Mom will do the work » Phillipa

Posted by Midnightblue on June 6, 2008, at 13:34:22

In reply to Re: Mostly leave 'em alone -- Mom will do the work, posted by Phillipa on June 6, 2008, at 11:41:19

You really MUST leave them alone or Mom will abandon them. We had some in our flower bed one year and Mom did a great job. We just stole peeks from the window.

 

Re: Mostly leave 'em alone -- Mom will do the work » Midnightblue

Posted by Phillipa on June 6, 2008, at 20:11:10

In reply to Re: Mostly leave 'em alone -- Mom will do the work » Phillipa, posted by Midnightblue on June 6, 2008, at 13:34:22

Today one hopped out of the nest and hopped away got scared by noise of hose I guess had to catch and put back in nest. Mom just came and nursed them and she has a hurt limping leg. Babies about six inches long and they stayed outside the burrow when Mom left. How long will it be til they can care for themself? Afraid since hawks here Mom might be killed. Phillipa

 

Re: Mostly leave 'em alone -- Mom will do the work

Posted by Midnightblue on June 6, 2008, at 23:51:25

In reply to Re: Mostly leave 'em alone -- Mom will do the work » Midnightblue, posted by Phillipa on June 6, 2008, at 20:11:10

You should NOT have picked it up and put it back in the nest. Honestly, leave them alone. Don't do anything near them. One day they will all leave.

 

Re: Mostly leave 'em alone -- Mom will do the work » Midnightblue

Posted by Phillipa on June 7, 2008, at 0:26:41

In reply to Re: Mostly leave 'em alone -- Mom will do the work, posted by Midnightblue on June 6, 2008, at 23:51:25

Boy was I hoping you'd answer the thread. Okay the Mom came and she has an injured back leg. See they built our houses where there used to be a farm. The man still lives in the original farmhouse behind us about four houses down. A big fence divides the land but he planted a vegtable garden down near our back yard behind the fence. And was thinking what if this man hurt the Mom so she wouldn't eat his vegtables. And she was fine last night. Tonight she was hobbling. And she's still licking them for them to defacate and urinate. Should we try to help the Mom? She didn't mind me putting the baby back. After she hobbled off the babies played around the pinestraw near the air conditioning unit. So they are getting out a bit on their own. Haven't seen the Father in a couple of days. What if she doesn't come tomorrow should we call someone about the Mom and babies? I am an animal lover. Only put the baby back as thought he might get lost. Love Phillipa

 

Re: Mostly leave 'em alone -- Mom will do the work

Posted by Gabbee on June 7, 2008, at 3:42:09

In reply to Re: Mostly leave 'em alone -- Mom will do the work » Midnightblue, posted by Phillipa on June 6, 2008, at 20:11:10

You shouldn't have touched the baby.

It's *not* being an animal lover.
They need to have a healthy fear of humans.
It's nature, sometimes things happen.
I mean, Mother Rabbits eat there babies sometimes.

Too much intrusion (which this is already)
And the mom will just leave.
Why did you even ask anyone for advice?

 

Re: I found this about touching bunnies

Posted by Deneb on June 7, 2008, at 6:47:05

In reply to Re: Mostly leave 'em alone -- Mom will do the work, posted by Gabbee on June 7, 2008, at 3:42:09

http://www.messingerwoods.org/babybunny.htm

"Touching Baby Bunnies/Misconception

Touching baby bunnies will NOT make the mother abandon (leave) them. This is a common misconception people mistakenly have."

http://www.answerbag.com/q_view/542516

 

Re: I found this about touching bunnies

Posted by Deneb on June 7, 2008, at 7:00:49

In reply to Re: I found this about touching bunnies, posted by Deneb on June 7, 2008, at 6:47:05

http://ca.answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080524182912AAYBv1N

 

General comment about this topic

Posted by Racer on June 7, 2008, at 9:31:58

In reply to Re: I found this about touching bunnies, posted by Deneb on June 7, 2008, at 7:00:49

Life is hard. Animals have managed to survive in this world for a long time. Some animals do not survive, and that's sad -- and it's also natural.

In this case, leaving them alone is the best thing to do. The mother will have all sorts of instincts and likely experience regarding how to protect her offspring from excessive heat -- WITHOUT HUMAN INTERVENTION. Too much human smell around her burrow is more likely to cause problems than to help. The farmer down the road probably has nothing to do with the mother's leg -- that's much more likely to be caused by a neighborhood dog. Few cats bother rabbits -- in fact, rabbits are pretty well able to chase cats off, in my experience. The water you put out, and especially the ice, will have extensive chemical treatment, and will likely taste and smell funny to the mother. Leave some out, by all means, but try to minimize the time you spend anywhere near the burrow.

If you call animal control, they're not likely to do much. If you call to have them come get these rabbits, they're more likely to come out and exterminate them. The very best thing you can do is to leave them alone.

And the hardest thing an animal lover has to do in these situations is the hardest -- leave them alone.

And if you don't believe what everyone is saying here, and you choose to do something different, just remember that you came here and asked for advice. You got advice. Continuing to ask for advice, because you don't like what you've heard, isn't going to change the advice you're being given.

 

Re: General comment about this topic » Racer

Posted by Phillipa on June 7, 2008, at 12:21:44

In reply to General comment about this topic, posted by Racer on June 7, 2008, at 9:31:58

Racer I agree with the advise no dogs as there are leash laws here but since so much building and clearing of land some coyote's have been seen in the area. I've googled the topic and they even said to stay away from vets. And even with proper care on l0% survive with humans caring for them. Mom did like the ice that time in water. Never in the backyard too hot. Glad to hear they can get away from most cats. We did live in the woods once and had a cat that caught rabbits and left them in the garage dead and full grown. No animals except wild ones city ordinances call for leashes thankfully . Thanks to everyone who answered the thread. Learned a lot like no rabies in rabbits. Love Phillipa

 

Re: I found this about touching bunnies » Deneb

Posted by Phillipa on June 7, 2008, at 12:32:39

In reply to Re: I found this about touching bunnies, posted by Deneb on June 7, 2008, at 7:00:49

Deneb thanks they are hopping out of the den on own now. Just replaced the baby. It was scared but safe with brothers and sisters. It's the Mom I'm more worried about. she's still stimulating the urine and nursing. But they look like the first link of the tiny baby about 6 inches long hope they are about ready to care for themselves. Didn't know that about the birds but was told once just replace in nest if they fall out and Mother will not reject them. How does the Mother know our smell? Love Phillipa

 

Re: I found this about touching bunnies

Posted by Gabbee on June 7, 2008, at 13:49:23

In reply to Re: I found this about touching bunnies, posted by Deneb on June 7, 2008, at 6:47:05

As with birds it's true that touching bunnies won't automatically cause the mother to leave, It is a misconception based on a truth though. Too much intrusion which definitely includes handling around a nest or burrow can cause the mother to leave.

Wild animals don't give birth in areas that are subject to intrusion by anything; with the exception of animals that have been forced to adapt to city living. Even domesticated animals will still instinctively find a quiet sheltered place to give birth ie, the closet, not the kitchen. There's a reason for this.

It reminds me of a story I read about sea turtles.
Newly hatched sea turtles are subject to being eaten by hawks. An observer saw one tiny sea turtle walking out of the birth area alone while a hawk hovered overhead. She picked it up and put it back with the others.

In just a few minutes all the babies walked out and were demolished by hawks. She didn't know that if she'd left them alone only one would have died, that's how the turtles know if there is danger in the area, one goes out, if it's attacked the others know to stay hidden.

Personally I think our fellow creatures would do better with a lot less "love" and a little more respect.
We think like humans, and forcing what we think is a good idea onto different but equal creatures is another shining example of the human superiority complex.

 

Re: I found this about touching bunnies

Posted by Deneb on June 7, 2008, at 14:26:51

In reply to Re: I found this about touching bunnies, posted by Gabbee on June 7, 2008, at 13:49:23

Handling some baby animals does run the risk of the mother eating them. I know it's true for pet hamsters.

I didn't know rabbits sometimes eat their babies too. Interesting. I thought they were herbivores and didn't eat any meat.

 

Re: I found this about touching bunnies » Deneb

Posted by Gabbee on June 7, 2008, at 14:50:39

In reply to Re: I found this about touching bunnies, posted by Deneb on June 7, 2008, at 14:26:51


> I didn't know rabbits sometimes eat their babies too. Interesting. I thought they were herbivores and didn't eat any meat.

Interesting I never thought of that part

Are hamsters meat eaters?
I can just google of course but I just felt like asking.


 

Re: I found this about touching bunnies

Posted by Deneb on June 7, 2008, at 14:56:02

In reply to Re: I found this about touching bunnies » Deneb, posted by Gabbee on June 7, 2008, at 14:50:39

Hamsters don't eat a lot of meat, but they do sometimes, especially insects. They also like hard boiled egg.

When the mother hamster eats her babies, it's usually because she was too young and inexperienced to have babies.

Also I know you're supposed to leave the babies alone and not clean for cage for a while.

 

Re: I found this about touching bunnies » Deneb

Posted by Gabbee on June 7, 2008, at 15:14:25

In reply to Re: I found this about touching bunnies, posted by Deneb on June 7, 2008, at 14:56:02

Thanks, it's interesting. I looked it up and someone said they eat chicken and fish.
That made me giggle, but I don't suppose they really hunt them down, just eat it happily when it's handed to them in little pieces.

I read also that rabbits and hamsters eat their babies because they're too young or inexperienced, another article said it was a way of protecting them. I would guess both are ways to protect not the individual "families" but the species, because it would weed out the weak.

 

Re: Hamsters hunting LOL

Posted by Deneb on June 7, 2008, at 15:33:41

In reply to Re: I found this about touching bunnies » Deneb, posted by Gabbee on June 7, 2008, at 15:14:25

> Thanks, it's interesting. I looked it up and someone said they eat chicken and fish.
> That made me giggle, but I don't suppose they really hunt them down, just eat it happily when it's handed to them in little pieces.

OMGosh, that is funny. Imagine my hamster Butterball hunting! LOL She's so cute. Hamsters don't hunt. LOL I love my hamster. She's sweet.


>
> I read also that rabbits and hamsters eat their babies because they're too young or inexperienced, another article said it was a way of protecting them. I would guess both are ways to protect not the individual "families" but the species, because it would weed out the weak.

Yeah and I think it's also for the survival of the mother. If she's young and inexperienced and the babies don't stand a good chance of surviving, then it's better for her to reabsorb some of the nutrients and energy that was spent being pregnant.

Most mammals also eat their placentas after giving birth, except humans. I guess it's not really eating meat, it's more reabsorbing nutrients. I think there are recipes out there for human placenta, sounds yucky. LOL I wonder if early humans did it?


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