Raising orphan hares

[Burra]

I'm living in Portugal and yesterday I was given two newborn hares that were found in a vegetable garden. I've been feeding them semi-skimmed goats milk from a dropper and they seem to be doing well. I read that they should be fed puppy formula but I can't get any. Is the semi-skimmed goat milk going to be ok for them? Should I add a drop of cod liver oil? Does anyone have any tips or advice on raising them? I intend to release them when they are old enough and have an ideal place for them to go but I have to get them to that stage first.

Any advice gratefully received

Thanks in advance.

[wildliferescuer]

A vegetable garden is an unusual place to find newborn hares. Can you describe them in a bit more detail, size, colour etc to give a better idea.

[Kayleigh]

Hi and welcome to WAB we also have a sister site for none British wildlife you try posting here..

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[Lance Morgan]

Should have left them there. The mother hare would return for her leverets.
Are they newborn bald, they are very difficult to bring on.

[wildliferescuer]

Originally Posted by Lance Morgan

Should have left them there. The mother hare would return for her leverets.
Are they newborn bald, they are very difficult to bring on.

It is easy to pass judgement & this may well be true but now they have been taken in advice needs to be given on their care. Leverets are born fully furred, eyes open & they are mobile so if they are bald they are not hares. I am trying to ascertain which they are before giving advice.

[Burra]

I'm sorry but leaving hares to breed in the veg patch isn't really an option - I have to eat too!! Their mum takes quite enough of our pea plants and cabbages and melons as it it and I don't want to lose all the fruit trees I've just planted when the babies grow up and develop a taste for the bark.

We also have a ten acre strip of rough grass which is perfect for hares so when they are old enough they can be released there. Most of the land around us is planted up with either pine or eucalyptus and not really suitable for hares (or much else) any more so our patch is a bit of a haven for them, but I do need my veg patch for myself. They are more than welcome to the other ten acres.

They currently weigh around 120g, are fully furred, eyes open, and drinking around 5ml of goats milk four times a day. Oh, and they are called Couve (cabbage) and Flor (flower). I have them in a cage in the house most of the time with a lamp as they tend to get cold overnight, and they go out into a bigger cage for a couple of hours during the day where they can get a bit of sunshine. They take milk quite well but aren't showing any interest in chewing anything, which would seem to fit with them being newborns. My husband and son found them when watering the garden and originally picked them up (they were together and made no attempt to run away) thinking they were young rabbits which we were going to fatten and turn into pie, but hares are just a bit too special for that.

Here's the photo I took two days ago - they are definitely hares! They have the little black patches on the back of the ear tips too, but they're not visible in the photo.

[Hedge Witch]

Oh my goodness, they are soooooo cute

The thought of turning them into pies makes me want to turn vegetarian on the spot.

Hopefully someone more knowledgeable will answer your question shortly.

I'd just like to wish you lots of luck with them. I think hares are a bit special too.

[Hedgehoggy]

They're absolutely beautiful

While you're waiting for expert help and advice with your leverets, Burra, you might be interested to read this page on hand rearing leverets:

rearing leverets

Good luck with them.

[NickCantle]

I've melted into a big pile of soppyness They are adorable. I'll have them

[Kayleigh]

How cute are they. I will be difficult to let them go when the time comes..
The are just gorgeous...

Good luck.....