average litter size

[MewsicLovr]

I keep reading posts of people having 13, 14, 15, even 16 kits in a litter. And while I'm pretty sure that's above average, I'm not sure what is normal. I know that different breeds have different average sizes. We have NZW and NZW+californian mixes, and the largest litter we've gotten so far I think is 12 but only 4 survived. Some of those deaths may have been our fault though since we were still very inexperienced. We've also had one have 6 (new mom though) and another couple litters of 8 or so. From my research that seems in the correct range.

So what is your average, and is it possible to do anything to increase the litter size while still raising as many as possible to weaning?

 

[a7736100]

My lionheads average 4, minilops and minirexes average 6. Usually it's an even number.

 

[Dood]

My current American Chinchillas and crosses average 10 (range of 8 to 14) since I disposed of the does who had smaller litters. Even my first time moms have an average of 10.

My Mini Lops average 7 (range of 5 to 9)

As for improving litter size - buy fertile stock or breed for it by keeping kits from fertile mothers as replacement does.

 

[MR_ND]

I had 4 in my 1st litter, 7 or 8 )I don't remember exactly) in my second but they all died, my 3rd had 4 and my 4th had 5, although one died for no apparent reason.

 

[Zass]

My meat mutts have had between 7-12 kits, and most are only be able to nurse 10 without help.

 

[3mina]

My Rex have anywhere from five to sixteen, the usual is eight to twelve.
If I get too many litters of five from one doe I replace her. I'm about to replace one of my newest does for just this reason, she just gave me a second litter of five out of three litters this year. I think I might grow out the remainder of my humongo-litter and see if there's anything good in there. That doe is just unbelievable, I've never gotten less than eight and she almost always raises everybunny, traits I certainly with to retain

 

[lilvarsgirl]

My husband I are first time rabbbit breeders. We have two Agouti FG doe's and a Bromken Rex buck. After having them for a month just to make sure our doe's were not already bread from there previous owner, we put our FG in with out Rex hoping something would happen. We now have a new momma rabbit with 8 healthy baby kits with the loss of one.. She had them June 30. I think she is doing great. Everyone here thinks she had a big litter of kits for a first time mom but from what I have been reading I would say its average.

 

[JessicaR]

My NZR had 7 kits her first litter. I am going to breed her again this fall and see if she has a bigger litter.

I used to have 2 NZW 1 had 8-10 kits per litter, but only managed to raise 6, while the other only averaged about 4 per litter. She may of had small litters but she was a great mom so I used her to foster kits from the other doe.

 

[3mina]

I've noticed that the longer I wait to breed a doe back the more likely it is that I'll get a smaller litter.

 

[skysthelimit]

I've noticed that the longer I wait to breed a doe back the more likely it is that I'll get a smaller litter.

I agree.

The Angoras average 7-9, Rex usually 8-10, Silver Fox 6-8 and Jersey Woolies around 4-7. Litter size does differ among breeds, but breed for the size you want, because even my JW litters are decent size.

 

[Prisma]

Longer the wait, smaller litter if litter at all...ugh.

Mini Rex have averaged 6-9 the past 3 months, Holland Lops at a whooping 0 still. I know it isn't a HL buck issue, was an escapee got my best show prospect Mini Rex knocked up after chewing her out of her cage o.o Lionhead doe still too young to breed, but expect 4-6 based on what I've had in the past. It'll be some time next year, but the Rex's parents and relations were hitting 8-12 the last 2 litters.

 

[skysthelimit]

I've always had large litters, but this year... first time does and veterans are having 10-12. I'm culling out the box to keep cost down, wow, I really have no need now to breed again this season. Perhaps making up for the long space between last July and May?

 

[Ole Mule]

I have dutch/flemish giant mutts as meat rabbits my doe had 6 raised 5 she is rebred to pop on July 22, so I am looking for at least 6. These 5 are 6 1/2 weeks old I hope to butcher them at 8 or 9 weeks.

 

[HoppyMeal]

My NZ crosses which I have 8 does and they are having litters of 10-12. I had one litter of 15 with 3 dying. 2 of these does consistently raise 12.

 

[michaels4gardens]

as Dood said, you should breed toward the litter size, and more importantly, ability to ween them, -both litter size and milking / mothering ability, are traits that are passed on from the parents, -- I cull does that ween less then 7 ,I only keep breed stock from mothers who ween 10 or more. I weigh the litters at 8 weeks, and compare the weights, those does who ween the most lbs of rabbits are the producers of future breed stock.

 

[bantambunnies]

My Mini Lops did exactly the same as yours, Dood - 5-9 kits with an average of 7.