I have a doe that is about a year old. She is molting (2nd time in about 4 months). Many of my rabbits are molting, but this doe looks like something out of Frankenstein. She is losing clumps upon clumps of fur.
I culled her sister because she was in perpetual molt, losing huge clumps with no end in sight. I'm sure this was why she hit the 3 strike rule so fast and not producing the way she was supposed to.
Is this something genetic (these sisters are the only 2 that have had the 'Frankenrabbit' look)? Do some lines just molt more than others? I haven't kept anything back from either doe and don't plan to.
And, what impact does the molting have on breeding. This doe is due today, but the molting just began about a week ago. I can see movement in her belly, so I know she's pregnant. I'm just wondering how well can she really do if she is using all of her energy to molt.
On another note, we did just change feed (gradually) and many of my rabbits have began to molt (not to the extent of the ones I was talking about above). I know it is starting to get to that time of year, but am figuring that maybe the switch to a better quality feed is related?
Any thoughts, knowlege, or insights into molting would sure be appreciated. Especially where breeding is concerned. I have 30 breeding does and can't afford to be out of breeding business because I bred them at the wrong time and had to wait. If that makes a bit of sense.
I culled her sister because she was in perpetual molt, losing huge clumps with no end in sight. I'm sure this was why she hit the 3 strike rule so fast and not producing the way she was supposed to.
Is this something genetic (these sisters are the only 2 that have had the 'Frankenrabbit' look)? Do some lines just molt more than others? I haven't kept anything back from either doe and don't plan to.
And, what impact does the molting have on breeding. This doe is due today, but the molting just began about a week ago. I can see movement in her belly, so I know she's pregnant. I'm just wondering how well can she really do if she is using all of her energy to molt.
On another note, we did just change feed (gradually) and many of my rabbits have began to molt (not to the extent of the ones I was talking about above). I know it is starting to get to that time of year, but am figuring that maybe the switch to a better quality feed is related?
Any thoughts, knowlege, or insights into molting would sure be appreciated. Especially where breeding is concerned. I have 30 breeding does and can't afford to be out of breeding business because I bred them at the wrong time and had to wait. If that makes a bit of sense.