Week old kits

It's been a week since I was surprised with a litter of kits from Jakalope. During the week we have had a few nice sunny days but we have also recieved a few centimeters of snow and freezing temperatures the last couple days.

One week old New Zealand kits

Jakalope had her kits in her hideout as I did not know she was pregnant when I purchased her the end of March. I was not figuring on breeding until May at the earliest, so I do not have nesting boxes on hand. I have been concerned that the kits might not make it due to not having a proper nesting situation, but as of right now both Jakalope and the kits are doing well. All four kits seem to be growing quickly and look healthy. I do not handle them very much as I do not want to disturb their nest in this cold weather. I turn my phone's camera on, make sure the flash is on and take pictures by putting the phone in the hideout to keep tabs on them.

A couple days ago I checked on them after a rather cold night, Jakalope had them all covered up and warm, you could hardly even see them through the hair.

Well covered litter of kits

I am very pleased with her as a mom. I know four kits is a smaller than average litter for most rabbits, but for a bonus litter that I was not expecting, I am very pleased. I do not know how her breeding went. How many fall offs or how she behaved. Her next litter might be larger with different circumstances.