How to Raise Orphan Baby Rabbits

Do not assume that bunnies are orphans if you find them in the wild. Mothers generally spend the evening with their babies and then roam throughout the day. The bunnies are only fed for about 5 minutes. Orphaned bunnies are rare, but mother's can be killed by other animals or people. If this happens, it will be up to you to help the bunny find professional care, or care for it yourself.

Things You'll Need

  • Towels
  • Box
  • Rubber-tipped syringe (2-cc, 7- to 13-cc and 14- to 15-cc)
  • Kitten milk replacer or Meyenberg goat milk
  • Timothy and oat hay
  • Pellets
  • Dandelion greens
  • Carrot tops
  • Grated carrots
  • Parsley
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Put towels in a box and place the bunnies inside. Cover the box if the bunnies' eyes are closed. Heat the room to about 65 or 70 degrees.

    • 2

      Position the bunny upright. Feed the bunny kitten milk replacer or Meyenberg goat milk (not low-fat) if the rabbits are wild, suggests the House Rabbit Society (HRS). Feed them twice daily by filling a 2-cc rubber-tipped syringe (for bunnies that are less than 1 week old). Place the tip in the bunny's mouth and squeeze. Bunnies that are 2 to 3 weeks old require 7 to 13 cc. Feed them 13 to 15 cc from 3 to 6 weeks.

    • 3

      Rub the bunny near the genitals to stimulate urination and defecation if the bunnies' eyes are still closed. Their eyes will open when they are about 10 days old.

    • 4

      Feed them bits of timothy and oat hay, pellets, dandelion greens, carrot tops, grated carrots, parsley and water after the bunny is 10 days old.

    • 5

      Replace the greens often so they are fresh. Wild bunnies should be released back into the wild after they start eating with ease. Cottontails should be 5 inches long and jackrabbits should be kept for 9 weeks.