RIP

This little guy didn't make it. 

A lone survivor.

Here is an email Andy sent earlier today while the girls and I were out:  "Just got back from the vet.  I checked on them (new kits) earlier and they were all freezing. Took them to the vet but only 1 made it.  We will have to hand feed." 

Today was another sad day. Eve had given birth to TEN kits, and a few others looked like they were going to be alright.  After getting some vigorous massaging to stimulate blood flow, warm water bottles, and milk those few slowly passed on. 

This lone bunny is all that survived. It is inside and keeping warm on a hot water bottle. We are doing what we can to keep it alive. 

RIP kits

Unfortunately, this afternoon we found all of Mary's newborn kits deceased. As she began nesting, we moved her inside to the upper, unused chicken coop. The weather has been absolutely terrible here with high winds and pounding rain, so we moved her indoors to protect her and her kindle from the elements. She gave birth sometime yesterday/overnight. Andy added a heat lamp to help keep them from getting too cold, but it still didn't help. We are not sure why, but her entire kindle didn't survive the night. 

Andy is still convinced that raising rabbits is worth the time, money, and effort, but I'm having my doubts. I love raising our own meat and the feeling of sustainability, but it hasn't proven to be successful or profitable just yet. I hope I can hold out long enough for my love to prove me wrong. I'm not sure how many more dead newborns I can handle.