This weblog was started back in 18th June 2007 and this is the 1421st post. Throughout the years, the post entitled “How Should A 8 Weeks Old Look Like” remains as the #1 top post with 10,033 views to date. However, this post contains photos of different rabbits growing up and I feel that is not as effective as using just one litter of kits to highlight their week by week development.
Today I would like to re-post photos of baby rabbits as well as a couple of new photos to emphasize how important it is that baby rabbits should be kept with their mothers until the age of 8 weeks.
The first week of a kit’s life….
At 3 days young, you may see some flakiness on their skin. This is similar to cradle cap in human babies. Most kits (baby rabbits) are born without fur and for the first few days, milk can be seen in their plump tummies. This usually helps me in knowing that the dam has been doing a good job feeding them.
At 1 week young, their fur has grown and eyes are not open until the 10th or 11th day.
At 10 Days young, their eyes will usually open and these wee ones will see their world for the first time.
The second week…
The kits will start to get fluffier and cuter at 2 weeks as their fur grow thicker and longer. This is their most vulnerable time in the pet trade. Most buyers are mesmerized by their cuteness not realizing that they are still very young to be taken away from their dam.
The third week…
Between the 3rd and 4th week, these kits are at their cutest stage. It is absolutely difficult to resist. Though they look quite mature and seemed to be nibbling on solid food, please be reminded that they should not be separated from their dam at this age. Their developing stomachs still depend on milk. Rabbit’s milk is so unique that it is quite impossible to find a replacement that matches 100% – the closest is goat’s milk.
The fourth week…
Absolutely irresistible at 4 weeks young.
This is when I like to start teaching them how the breed should pose. Some are naturals while others take longer time to learn.
The fifth week…
Ophelia seen here at 5 weeks old. At this age, they start to munch on hay, pellets, and drinking from bottle or water bowl while still being nursed by their dam.
I usually use rabbit food higher in protein content for both dam and kits when they start eating solids. I usually keep some probiotic paste handy just in case the solid food causes gut flora imbalance.
The sixth week…
Cute Ophelia at 6 weeks young. She is very friendly and comes near me for head rubs whenever I walk towards her.
Otto is a natural poser and loves the attention he is getting. At 6 weeks, they both like to zoom across the room and launch themselves in mid air while turning their bodies – the action is called Binky.
Weaning starts at the seventh week and they will be separated from their dam at the eight week.
The Seventh Week…
I have started the weaning process by separating them from their dam.
Depending on their lineage, some kits will start to grow into their ugly stage when limbs seemed to grow in length rather than width. Their muzzles may look a little elongated rather than the desired “shortness” particularly in the Holland Lop breed.
Weaning starts this week by separating them from their dam. Ensure that they are eating well on their own before deciding to wean.
The eighth week…
How time flies and we are at our final week. Since Christmas is over now, we will no longer have the Christmas themed photography. The two kits are growing up beautifully and they are fully weaned. Ear length seemed to have increased but nothing to worry about as their head will continue to grow and in time, every part of their body will balance out.
At this age they are usually ready to go to their new homes but these two cuties are not going anywhere.
Tru-Luv’s Otto at 8 weeks. He is such an awesome little guy. Always running towards me when he sees me approaching. Natural poser, absolutely love him.
Tru-Luv’s Ophelia. I love everything about this doe and am excited to see how she will blossom. As is she is very friendly and loves her daily head rubs.
Last but not least I must give credit where credit is due. I want to thank DC Rabbitry for making this otter project possible. Thank you very much for the gorgeous blue otter doe. A great mom right from the start. I reckon she will be a great producer.
Tru-Luv Rabbitry: Quality Holland Lops in Malaysia 