wild baby bunnies - Paw Talk

kathydip · #1 07-23-2006, 08:29 PM

I found 2 little baby bunnies in a nest in my mother in laws yard. I felt terrible b/c I think poor mommy bunny was going to nurse them when I brought my dogs out to potty and they scared her. We had no idea that they were there. I knew something was up
b/c Frankie had apparently chased something from the yard and then he was crazy sniffing. I spotted some dead grass and fur. From what I read here I knew exactly what it was but it didn't seem like a lot of fur so I was really hoping she was only just making the nest. I moved the fur to the side a bit to see if there were any babies. I had planned on messing up the nest if she didn't have them yet. My mother in laws yard is NOT a good place for baby bunnies to nest. She has a dachshund too and my 2 very "active" nephews are usually at her house. I so hoped there were no babies but then I and saw them. I think there were only 2 but I didn't want to dig. Their eyes are still closed and they look like they are just getting thier fur. The ears are so tiny and close to their bodies. Oh they were so cute!
My mother in law scared me b/c she said she thought she saw a dead bunny earlier. But I am sure that I found Momma alive and well on the outside of the fence by a neighbors car.
I showed my mother in law the nest so she doesn't hit it with the mower.
I am just worried about her dog, Lady, slipping past her and getting to the nest before she does.
I, of course, would love to take them home with me and bottle feed them but I know that is not what is best for them. But I really want them!! Oh well. i plan on calling my MIL and checking on them.

Does anyone know how long it takes before they are out of the nest and hopping around?

moonchild · #2 07-23-2006, 09:14 PM

I don't know a lot about wild bunnies, but I know that they are left alone often. When they do leave the nest, Mama comes back once or twice a day to feed them. Perhaps there is a way you can put a wire fence around the nest with holes in it big enough for the rabbit to go through, but not the children. I have no idea about what to do about the dog. Good luck!

Angelnstuff · #3 07-24-2006, 12:23 AM

im glad you resisted the urge to take them out of the nest, i would make a point of talking to the kids about leaving the nest alone.. my grandfather found a nest in there back yard while i was in wisconsin last week, it was in the dog kennel of all places.. he almost did go over it with the mower, it being so warm there wasnt much fur or anything around it, he jus saw a lil bit of white moving under the grass, and luckliy stoped to investigate.. there were 3 in there. there was family visiting out in the yard there for the past 3 weeks, and the dog has always had free run of the yard when its outside, so it amazes me that a rabbit would make its nest there, but maybe it thinks of the dog as its personal security system? lol
either way its best to leave things in nature they way they are. Im sure the mommy that made the nest looked long and hard for a place to make her nest and picked that spot for a reason. im sure she could smell the dog and the kids. but still felt it a saf enough place.

kathydip · #4 07-24-2006, 08:14 AM

I keep thinking of how cute they were with the tiny little ears!
I really wish that bunnies would make thier nests a little deeper. It is so dangerous with the mowers. My poor brother in law was a landscaper for years. He had many run ins with baby bunnies and he always tried to save the ones he could. I don't think many of them made it. Although he brought home 2 wee ones to my sister a couple of years ago. She kept them in a rubber maid container on the enclosed porch. She researched what to feed them and pretty much left them alone. She was afraid to tame them b/c she didn't want to keep them. Then when their ears were long enough she let them go.
Momma bunny probably thought it was okay since Lady is not out too often. Thier yard is so large and the boys don't really have a reason to go to that part of it. Maybe that is why she thought it was a good spot. I am so glad I noticed it though b/c my in laws are always cutting the grass. It really could have been a disaster!

andreaS15 · #5 07-25-2006, 05:50 PM

they leave the nest I belive at 4 weeks.
My friend is caring for abandond domestic baby bunnies that had their nest and sibblings killed by a barn cat right now.

Hopefully your relitives will eb abel to keep heir dog away from the area and keep the buns safe untill they are old enough to be out on their own (8 weeks i believe).

kathydip · #6 07-25-2006, 09:36 PM

My mother in law has said that Lady is not very happy about not being able to go out. Luckily she is trained to piddle pads in a box so she doesn't need to go out.
I checked on the babies yesterday and they are doing well. Their eyes were still closed I was hoping to get a better idea of just how old they are. Oh they are very sweet.
I think that domestic buns are 8 weeks and wild buns are 4-6 weeks.
Andrea I hope your friends little ones do well.

betts · #7 07-27-2006, 12:28 PM

yes, fence in the little fellas

betts