There are many reasons you may need to foster kits. Something happeds to the doe and she dies, doe isn't producing enough milk, the doe decided to try and cannibalize some of her kits, doe got a case of mastisis, doe had a large litter and can't handle all the kits, etc.
In Catalaya's Rabbitry we like to breed our does in pairs just in case a need arises and kits need to be fostered.
To foster kits to another doe some will go to extreme measures ensure the doe accepts the new kit(s) such as rubbing vanilla extract on the kits and on the doe's nose. At Catalaya's Rabbitry we simply just mark the kits so we know which are fostered over and move them into he new nesting box. Rabbits can't count so hey won't realize they're are more kits. We have successfully fostered kits to a new doe as old as 2.5 weeks when we had a doe with a sever case of mastisis.
The most important thing we find is marking the kits so you can create an accurate pedigree. If your just raising kits for meat then there really is no reason to mark them since they will be going to freezer camp but for those in need of a pedigree will most definetly need to find a way to mark the fostered kits. Catalaya's Rabbitry puts a dot in the ear of the kit then cover's it when they are old enough for their ear tattoo. You can use a needle and some tattoo ink to accomplish this.
Something other breeders have done is to use fingernail polish on the kits toenails. Some also put 2-3 dots in the right ear. Figure out what works best for you run with it!
In Catalaya's Rabbitry we like to breed our does in pairs just in case a need arises and kits need to be fostered.
To foster kits to another doe some will go to extreme measures ensure the doe accepts the new kit(s) such as rubbing vanilla extract on the kits and on the doe's nose. At Catalaya's Rabbitry we simply just mark the kits so we know which are fostered over and move them into he new nesting box. Rabbits can't count so hey won't realize they're are more kits. We have successfully fostered kits to a new doe as old as 2.5 weeks when we had a doe with a sever case of mastisis.
The most important thing we find is marking the kits so you can create an accurate pedigree. If your just raising kits for meat then there really is no reason to mark them since they will be going to freezer camp but for those in need of a pedigree will most definetly need to find a way to mark the fostered kits. Catalaya's Rabbitry puts a dot in the ear of the kit then cover's it when they are old enough for their ear tattoo. You can use a needle and some tattoo ink to accomplish this.
Something other breeders have done is to use fingernail polish on the kits toenails. Some also put 2-3 dots in the right ear. Figure out what works best for you run with it!