How Long Are Baby Bunnies In The Nest

If you’ve discovered a nest of baby bunnies in your garden, your first question is likely, how long are baby bunnies in the nest? As a gardener, I find these little visitors every spring, and understanding their timeline is key to keeping them safe. This quick guide will give you the clear facts you need.

Baby bunnies, or kits, grow incredibly fast. Their time in the nest is surprisingly short. Knowing what to expect helps you protect them and your garden peacefully.

The short answer is about three weeks. From birth to departure, most cottontail bunnies will leave the nest for good when they are 21 to 23 days old. Their development in that brief period is remarkable.

The First Week: Newborns in the Nest

Newborn kits are born blind, deaf, and completely furless. They rely entirely on their mother.

Days 1-3: They stay huddled for warmth. The mother rabbit, or doe, visits only at dawn and dusk to nurse them for just a few minutes. This minimizes attracting predators.
Days 4-7: A fine coat of fur begins to grow. Their ears start to open, but their eyes remain sealed shut.

The Second Week: Rapid Growth and Change

This is a week of huge transformation. You’ll notice big changes if you peek (which you should do rarely and carefully).

Days 8-10: Their eyes begin to open! They start to look more like tiny rabbits. They become more active in the nest, wiggling around.
Days 11-14: Their fur is thick and they can hear. They may start nibbling on bits of grass or leaves the mother brings in, though milk is still their main food.

The Third Week: Weaning and Wandering

This is the final stretch in the nest. The kits are preparing for independence.

Days 15-18: They are fully furred with eyes wide open. They’ll start venturing just inches from the nest, hopping clumsily. They begin eating more green vegetation.
Days 19-23: Weaning is complete. The kits are now fully independent, eating plants on there own. They disperse from the nest area to establish their own territories. By four weeks old, they are completely on their own.

What the Nest Looks Like (A Gardener’s Guide)

Rabbit nests are easy to miss. They are often found in open lawn areas, garden beds, or under brush piles.

Appearance: A shallow, bowl-shaped depression about 4-6 inches across.
Lining: Filled with soft grass, moss, and fur the mother plucked from her chest.
Camouflage: The doe covers the nest with loose grass or leaves when she leaves. To you, it may just look like a patch of dead grass.

What To Do If You Find a Nest

Here is a simple, step-by-step guide for any gardener.

Don’t Panic: The mother is likely nearby and will return.
Look from a Distance: Avoid touching the babies. Your scent will not cause abandonment, but excessive handling causes stress.
Check for Health: If the kits are plump, warm, and sleeping quietly, they are probably fine. If they look shriveled, cold, or are crying, they may need help from a wildlife rehabber.
Protect the Area: Keep pets indoors or on a leash. If you must mow, place a visible marker like a wheelbarrow over the nest, then move it after.
Let Nature Work: Resist the urge to “rescue.” Their best chance is with their wild mother.

Common Myths About Baby Bunnies

Let’s clear up some frequent misunderstandings.

Myth: “The mother abandoned them because I touched them.” Fact: Rabbits do not reject babies due to human scent. She may be scared of you, but she will return to feed them.
Myth: “The nest is abandoned if I don’t see the mom.” Fact: Mother rabbits only visit 1-2 times per day to avoid leading predators to the nest.
Myth: “I should bring them inside to keep them warm.” Fact: Unless they are injured or truly orphaned (see signs below), this does more harm than good.

When to Call a Wildlife Rehabilitator

Sometimes, intervention is necessary. Contact a licensed professional if:

A kit is visibly injured (bleeding, broken limb).
The babies are cold, weak, or have flies/maggots on them.
You are certain the mother is dead (e.g., you saw it happen).
The nest was flooded or destroyed by a pet.

You can find a local rehabber through your state’s wildlife agency or animal shelter.

Gardening Alongside Rabbit Nests

You can coexist. Here’s how I manage my garden when bunnies are present.

Delay the Work: Postpone major digging or landscaping in that area for the 3-week period.
Use Temporary Barriers: Gently place a laundry basket with weights on top over the nest during short gardening sessions, then remove it.
Plant Later: Consider this area a temporary wildlife zone. You can plant after the kits have left.
Natural Deterrents: Once the nest is empty, you can use fencing or natural repellents like crushed eggshells around prized plants to discourage future nesting.

After the Bunnies Leave the Nest

Once the nest is empty, you can tidy up. The kits are not coming back.

Wait a full 2-3 days after the last bunny is gone to be sure.
Fill in the shallow hole with soil or grass.
Resume normal gardening activities in that spot.

Remember, young rabbits the size of a tennis ball are already independent. They do not need saving just because they are small.

FAQ: Quick Questions Answered

How long do baby bunnies stay with there mother?

They stay in or directly near the nest for about 3 weeks. After dispersing, they are completely independent from their mother.

How long until baby bunnies open their eyes?

Baby rabbits open their eyes at around 10 days old. It can vary by a day or two in either direction.

What is the timeline for baby rabbits leaving the nest?

They start exploring outside the nest at about 2 weeks old. They leave for good between 3 and 4 weeks of age.

Can baby bunnies survive outside the nest at 2 weeks?

They are still very vulnerable at 2 weeks. While they may hop out briefly, they still rely on the nest and their mother’s milk. Survival on their own at this age is unlikely.

How often does the mother rabbit feed her babies?

She only feeds them once or twice every 24 hours, usualy during the night or very early morning. Each feeding lasts just a few minutes.

Finding a rabbit nest is a special part of gardening. It connects us to the wildlife that shares our space. By knowing that baby bunnies are in the nest for only about three weeks, you can plan your gardening around them. A little patience ensures they grow up healthy and your garden thrives too. Just watch your step, and enjoy the sight of those little hops across your lawn in a few short weeks.