Surprise!

Damn the fertility of rabbits.
Look what appeared in Ruby's cage a few days ago:

Yes, more babies.
Actually, I'm such an idiot - I didn't even consider that Ruby was pregnant. As I posted a few days ago, Ruby arrived with two kits from the rabbit hoarder who was keeping them outside. I was so preoccupied with the newborn litters of Pistachio and Rascal, and with making sure Jade and Sapphire were okay, that it never even occurred to me that Ruby could be pregnant with more. Even though I know very well that rabbits can get pregnant again the day they give birth.

To be fair, Ruby is a skinny rabbit, probably from living outside. She had no bulge and almost no fat on her. She didn't look pregnant in the slightest and I couldn't feel babies the day before she gave birth. Which is why it was such a shock when she had a litter of seven.

One of the kits was a 'peanut' (not the one in the photo). Peanuts are underdeveloped babies that are common in dwarf breeds, and they are incapable of survival. Recognizing this, Ruby moved it out of the nest into the corner of the cage, where it passed away the next day. I am prepared for more deaths as well - 6 kits are a lot for one skinny mom to raise, especially when she just weaned her older babies a few weeks ago.

Naturally, they are freaking cute. I nicknamed this one Blaze because of his beautiful stripe. They were born on June 4, and he is already very furry. Ruby's a good, experienced mom and the remaining 6 kits are fat and active. As time passes, the weaker ones will be weeded out but I wouldn't be surprised if it's still a large litter in the end.

 

They're all black and white except this fascinating little guy we've nicknamed Silver. He's almost metallic looking and very shiny - I'm very interested to see what he looks like as an adult.

So here we go again. Jade and Sapphire were hastily transferred to another cage when I noticed Ruby ripping out her fur for a new nest, and now they are staying with another foster home until they're old enough to be spayed.

And this is Pistachio's family earlier today, chowing down on some food.
All these little rabbits that didn't have to exist - now they need love and care and homes, homes that could have gone to any of the rabbits at any shelter. There is no reason for this to happen - it was caused 100% by someone who had too many and chose to throw them all outside and let them breed.
Thanks a bunch!