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You are here: Experts > Animals/Pets > Veterinary Medicine > Rabbits > rabbit burrowing a tunnel/hole then covering it back up?
Rabbits - rabbit burrowing a tunnel/hole then covering it back up?
Expert: Patricia Hernandez - 11/2/2009
Question
QUESTION: Hi there -
We took 2 rabbits from our neightbor who moved. They were outdoor rabbits so we built a bunny area in our yard (which is not landscaped anyway). We knew the male was not neutered and sure enough she burrowed and had babies. Per internet advice I moved the nest/babiles to a hutch and transferred the nesting material with them (fur, etc) and kept papa away. They slowly died one by one - it seemed as if she was stepping on them a lot (on did have a wound). They never made it to the opening of the eyes. Now a week later she has dug a deep burrow - cannot see the end of it, but today I noticed it seemed filled wth dirt!!! They generally don't hang out in their hutch but I have been trying to get them in there by keeping theri food there and making it comfy - becasue rain is coming and birds eat their food. I noticed mom napping in there and hanging in there more frequently. Anyway - we are determined not to fail the second round of babies (my kids were mortified) but that being said I have an appt for Dada to get fixed! In the meantime how do I make sure they survive???
THANK YOU-
Laurie
ANSWER: AHi Laurie. I am so sorry for not getting back to you sooner. I have had computer problems. I bought a new one as soon as money would permit and again am sorry for not getting to you sooner. I hope everything is all right with your rabbits. When a mother rabbit is on the ground she will often seal off the nest with dirt so that it can't be found. The babies do not suffocate and stay cozy warm. However it is very hard to check on the little ones and impossible to intervene if there is problems with them. It is always safer to keep your doe in a cage and give her a nest box and straw or hay to birth in. If you do not have babies yet I suggest you move the doe to a cage. If she has already had them I hope they are well. Be very careful of neighborhood dogs. They will dig to get your bunnies, and once they know where they are they will keep comming back. Again, I am sorry for not being here when you needed me. Let me know how everything turned out. Pat
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Well - after covering the first tunnel she dug another deep one. Never seemed to uncover the first one. I don't think there are babies in there but am thinking birthing will be soon. I will put her in the hutch with a nesting box but first I will get a mirror/flashlight to see if I can see around the corner in the tunnel to make sure there are no babies yet. I am really conflicted about perhaps just letting her do her thing in the new tunnel vs. putting her in a hutch. The last time I moved the little ones she ended up stepping on them as she maneuvered around the box. I had kept the edges of the box low so in/out was easy for her but the way she was moving in the box seemed to harm the babies. Is this normal? there is a big dog next door but unlikely he can get dig under our fence - he is pretty old. I am tempted to just let her do her thing in the tunnel?? Sorry to bother you again - just want to do the right thing.
Answer
Hi again. You are not bothering me. Not ever. Usually when a doe builds a nest it is at the back of the box. If the box is long enough you should not have a problem. Sometimes though a first time mom will build in the middle of the box and that is hard on the babies. You can always rearrange the nest. Rabbits don't really care about such things. In really bad weather in the winter I even bring nest boxes in the house and take them out to the moms twice a day and they seem just fine with it. The decision is up to you. I have had babies born underground in a barn and I have had them born in nest boxes. Along with dogs, watch for cats, owls and hawks if they are outside. I think they will be fine whichever way you choose. Lots of luck with the little ones. Don't be afraid to check on them and if you have any questions in the future don't hesitate to write. Pat
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