Help! Accidental bunny litter

[Misnomer]

I adopted a rabbit that was being given away for free. She's a lovely, if aloof, floof-ball. I noticed that there was a fur around her sleeping area when I went to check on her this morning and low and behold, inside was an even bigger pile of fluff that was wriggling. I didn't want to pry too much - they are right in one corner and hard to get at anyway. From watching the fluff move I think there are at least three kits in there.

So my question is should I try and bring them and her inside or just add in a heat pad thing and try and insulate everything with blankets etc to keep them warm over night? I'm worried that they'll freeze as I don't think rabbits snuggle up with their kits?

Help!

I've kept rabbits for 20 years and had 10 adults and 3 litters. It is important never to touch very young rabbit kits or the new nest. Especially considering mum doesn't know you well yet. Take the hutch inside (if it is an outdoor cage) and into your warmest room, if need be. But don't touch the nest or kits until they are at least a couple of weeks old. The mum will keep them warm and the nest clean. Give her extra food and hay to help with her milk production and so she can shore up the nest when required. Good luck!

No advice, but oooooh! Baby rabbits!

ps: you can have a quick check just to make sure they are all ok if you want, just maybe do it whilst mum is distracted eating just incase. And maybe a week or so in just check it's being cleaned out ok...bit risky but probably safe enough if mum is calm. But basically the less you touch them the better.

Oh and make sure you wash your hands and maybe clap mummy first so you don't leave too much of your smell on the nest.

Also: seconding the 'oooooh baby rabbits!' xD

Initial reaction is how bloody irresponsible the former owners were when there are thousands of unwanted buns in the world already

But also 'oooooh baby rabbits!'

Can we have pics when they're older?

Just thinking, if you cant take the hutch inside I wouldn't worry about it anyway, it's not a particularly cold time of year and in a week or so they'll have some fur too.

Agree with tea bring the whole hutch inside. She's a new rabbit so you don't want to dramatically change her house and invite stress into her life. Congrats on the surprise pregnancy and birth!

@TeaForTheWin - The only way I could bring the babies in would be to bring the nest so I'm going to go with the 'many blankets and any other type of insulation that I can find' option. Thanks for the advice though. I'm going to give mum plenty of food and leave her to it but I'll have a peep in each day when she's off doing other bunny things to make sure they are ok.

And I will post some photos when they're a little older. 😄

Plenty of extra bedding, extra food - check online/with vet if there's a specific food that's better. If you have a garage put them in there as it's getting cold tomorrow

Blankets will smell of you though so I dunno if it's wise to put them near the nest, plus mum might move them around in a way that they could block her access to the nest. I'd just leave her plenty of hay, she has fur she will use if they need more insulation. If it was winter then i'd be inclined to say take the hutch in no matter what...but it isn't so they'll be fine, assuming the 'sleeping area' is at the side that the wind can't get in at them much.

Is the hutch in a sheltered position where it is kept dry?
I used to keep my guinea-pigs' hutches in a wooden playhouse and in colder weather I put big cardboard sheets between the hutch and the wall. (Also used big polystyrene sheets where they couldn't gnaw them but cardboard will be easier to get hold of)

Extra hay that she can carry in to them .
If you have a plastic sheet to cover the hutch , secure it well to reduce flapping but allow ventilation.

Baby rabbits, another Oooh here. When their tiny ears stiffen and start going up is the best bit.

Good luck op!

Baby bunny pictures when they are ready for their close ups .

(I will just leave on the table that baby guinea-pigs are born fully furred, eyes open, teeth , and able to propel themselves along within hours. And Mum-Pigs don't mind if you handle the piglets and it is extremely rare for them to eat their babies .
You do have to wait 63-70 days for guinea-babies rather than 30-35 days for rabbits.

Can you tell I am biased in favour of guinea-pigs )

@70isaLimitNotaTarget Ha! I have guinea pigs too. 😄

I put four blankets over the hutch and then a tarpaulin. The hutch has a thermal cover too so they all seem fine. Mum is doing well and clearly feeding them as they have the fluff and straw in a slightly different arrangement each morning. I've managed to sneak a look and there are four kits, all looking healthy and with a covering of dark fur developing. I've added a photo but it's not very clear as it's dark in the corner they are snuggled in.

I am thinking of asking for help from an animal rescue to find them homes when they are big enough as I'm on gumtree and other pet selling pages frequently enough to be really concerned that a lot of owners may not take proper care of them. I'd be happy to keep them with me until new homes are found but I'd like help with the vetting process. Do you think this is something a rescue would help with?

Well done to you for trying to do your best by your new little family - i am sure a local rescue will help you out -