Orphaned baby bunnie's rescue habitat  MUST  be kept at a minimum of 85 degrees F.  It is IMPERATIVE that the baby's body core temperature be at an acceptable level  BEFORE  attempting to feed. Trying to feed a cold orphan may result in death.  Put the baby/babies in a plastic or cardboard box with a soft material as a base and some of the original nesting material, if it can be obtained, or some dried grasses. Any original nesting material or dried grasses must be removed and replaced after 24 hours. Place a heating pad, set on  LOW, underneath  HALF the box and keep in a warm, dark place until the baby/babies have stabilized. If you do not have a heating pad, a plastic container/bottle filled with warm water, tightly capped and wrapped in a soft material will do. DO NOT  attempt to immediately feed !  Unlike other mammals, orphaned baby bunnies shock very easily causing death. Please handle as little as possible and keep the babies warmed, quiet and in a darkened place. For survival, it is imperative the babies NOT be stressed ! Rabbits do not adjust well to captivity and even tiny orphans will jump to get away from you. Any container used to house baby bunnies must have a securely closed top with air ventilation holes. When handling babies to feed, be sure to gently but securely hold them in your hands, baby bunnies are known for jumping out of your hands to "escape" during a panic attack, often bruising their eyes, hurting their backs, hitting their heads or worse, breaking their necks.

NEVER TRY TO HYDRATE OR FEED A COLD ANIMAL !

Once the baby/babies have completely calmed and stabilized, offer a hydrating solution such as warmed children's Pedialyte or warmed distilled water SLOWLY  with a syringe or an eye dropper and then again in a few hours.

It is imperative to try and "age" the orphan to properly feed.

Infant:   Naked, eyes closed, ears flat and 3 - 4" long
Juvenile (1 week to 10 days old):   Fully furred, eyes open
2 - 3 weeks old:   Investigating greens, softened solids, possibly lapping formula
Adult (3 - 4 weeks old):   Weaned from formula, eating greens and clover, 4 - 5 inches long.

If the baby/babies are calm and accepting the hydrating solution, slowly begin to offer formula.  We use PetAg's  Esbilac , but any quality Puppy Milk Replacer will do.  PetAg's Puppy Milk Replacer, Esbilac, may be obtained and delivered to your home by calling Revival Animal Health at  1-800-786-4751  or visit their website:   Revival Animal Health   The basic formula we use is:

3 parts distilled water
1 part Esbilac (Puppy Milk Replacer) powder
2 parts heavy whipping cream

There is much controversy on the proper formula for orphaned rabbit infants. Listed above is what works for us.

Amount to feed:

Weigh the baby and calculate 25 % of it's weight and that will be the TOTAL amount to be fed per day.  As the birth Mother only feeds once or twice a day, we feed infants (when eyes are closed) three times a day, hairless infants should be slowly fed 1/2 cc formula every three hours or 6 times a day. We start weaning at roughly 3 weeks, eliminating the "middle" feeding.

Do not overfeed, the tummy should feel round and full, not tight.  Over feeding can cause diarrhea, leading to dehydration and death.

Feed only in a SITTING position to avoid aspiration, pneumonia and possible death.  Babies will have to be fed with an eyedropper or syringe and then weaned to a shallow saucer as soon as possible. After feeding it is IMPERATIVE  that you stimulate the baby's belly/genitals to induce urination and bowel movement. What goes in  MUST COME OUT. This is best done over a sink or other convenient place for clean up. We use a warm moistened piece of cotton or other VERY soft material to avoid injuring the delicate skin. Please be cautious that the baby/babies do not get chilled ! Avoid any drafts, air conditioning vents, fans blowing, etc.  Proper hygienge for  BOTH   you and the orphan  MUST be practiced at all times. Wildlife can present harmful parasites thru their stool. Baby bunnies chills rapidly !  Wrap them and feed them as quickly as possible and return them to the warmth of the nest you have made for them. The nesting material where you are keeping them MUST be changed daily as rabbits are continually eliminating.

A general rule of thumb is when the "white spot" on the forehead has faded, the rabbit is ready for release.

It is important to raise orphaned Wildlife in groups of their own kind so they may develop normal socialization skills. A single orphan will attach itself to you in lieu of others of it's species. Wildlife orphans raised together teach each other and mature more quickly and more naturally. When release time comes they will also have the comfort and security of each other and not be "out there" alone.

This information is offered as an absolute EMERGENCY resource only.  Please do not rely on this or any other information on this web site to properly raise and release any orphaned Wildlife if you are not formally trained to do so, that baby's life and health are at stake.  Please find a licensed Wildlife Rehabilitator as soon as possible to ensure a successful rehabilitation and release.

Those who wish to pet and baby wildlife love them,  but those who respect
their natures and wish to let them live their natural lives, love them more.
~ Edwin Way Teal ~

Crawdad Creek Wildlife Rehab Home

PLEASE keep any orphaned Wildlife warm and quiet while you are locating a Wildlife Rehabilitator