Use Rabbit Milk Replacer for orphaned kits, large litters or when mother's milk is limited. Newborns that did not receive colostrum from the mother may benefit from Impact Colostrum Supplement.
Making up Milk
To make 40mL of milk: Mix 2 level scoops of powder (14g) with 25mL of warm water.
To make 500mL of milk: Mix 180g of powder with 330mL of warm water.
Add half the water to the powder first and mix to a paste. Then add the remaining water and mix thoroughly. Pre-boil the water to ensure it is sterilised. If the water is too hot it can cause the milk to curdle. If it is too cold then it will be difficult to disperse the powder. An electric whisk can be used for mixing larger quantities. Milk can be stored in the fridge for up to a day or can be frozen for up to 2 weeks. It is useful to make-up larger quantities and store it frozen in small portions (e.g. ice cube trays), so that the required daily feed volumes can be easily thawed out. Once thawed out, discard any unused milk, and wash feeding utensils thoroughly.
Feeding Guide
Warm milk to about 35°C. Feed from a bottle with teat, a C Teat or P Teat is recommended. In emergency cases tube feeding may be required. Rabbit milk is very high in energy and kits need only be fed twice a day (morning & evening). Stimulate young kits to defecate and urinate after each feed. Kits may be encouraged to lap once their eyes are open. To avoid dehydration during periods of hot weather give drinks of pre-boiled water between feeds. Always offer kits drinking water once their eyes are open and they become active. Consult your veterinarian or breeder for particular advice about caring for young rabbits.
Growth
Consistent weight gain is an indication of good health. Different breeds of rabbits have different growth rates. Carers should contact their veterinarian or experienced breeder for information about the growth rate of their particular breed. It is important to weigh kits regularly to verify growth rate and determine the volume of milk to feed. Overfeeding milk can cause diarrhoea so feed the suggested volumes in our tables.
Weaning
Kits may begin to show interest in solid foods around 15 days of age. Ideally kits should be provided with caecotrophs (caecal pellets) from a healthy adult animal to help establish the correct gut flora prior to the consumption of solid foods. These could be mixed in with the milk. Initially establish young rabbits solely on hay, and then gradually add some green leafy vegetables. Once they start to eat solid food continue to increase solids and reduce milk intake until they are fully weaned at around 5 to 6 weeks. Avoid any foods containing high levels of starch or sugars (e.g. pellets, root vegetables or fruit) until fully weaned, and even then only as supplemental foods. Digestive upset due to incorrect feeding is a major cause of sickness and mortality in recently weaned rabbits.
