How long should the kits be left with the doe?

The correct duration for leaving kits with the doe is indeed five to eight weeks. During this time, the kits benefit significantly from nursing, which provides essential nutrients and antibodies necessary for their health and immune system development. This period also allows them to undergo critical behavioral and social learning, as they observe their mother and siblings.

By around five weeks, kits will start to consume solid food alongside nursing, but their mother's milk remains a vital part of their diet until they are fully weaned. This gradual transition into independence and solid food is crucial for their growth. At eight weeks, the kits are generally considered weaned and ready to be separated to start their own lives, having developed social skills and learned essential survival behaviors while with their mother.

Substantially longer durations can lead to the kits becoming overly dependent on the doe, which can complicate their development and reduce the likelihood of them adapting well after separation. Thus, the five to eight-week timeframe is optimal for ensuring that the kits grow into healthy, well-adjusted rabbits.