breed or cull?

[JessicaR]

I think we have officially decided that my son is not going to show rabbits this year, between kit size, sports and me being pregnant and grouchy :lol: He is just going to wait until next year.

I am debating on what to do with the NZR's, breed, sell or cull?
The doe is not very big, I will have to weigh her to know for sure but I am thinking maybe 7 pounds, the buck is 11 pounds. This was gingers first litter, she had 7 total, 1 died at a few days old (dragged out of the nest box) and 1 died at 7 weeks old (stomped/crushed) so 5 remaining kits, 8.5 weeks old now, all weigh under 1.5 pounds, they will not reach the minimum 3.5 pounds for fair.

Do I give her another chance or do you think her kits are always going to be small? I am really thinking about just giving up on the reds and switching to a different breed, I have had nothing but trouble here lately with does and kits! There is usually a rabbit show in September here so maybe we will just look around and see if there is anything good available.

 

[Zass]

Could you post pis of the reds? Are their bodies nice?
How old is Ginger? 1.5 lbs at over 8 weeks is awfully small.

 

[JessicaR]

I will try to post pics my camera has been giving me trouble, I think its time for a new one Ginger is 1 year old ( June 12th) when we first got her, at 8 weeks old she went almost a week without eating or drinking, I had force water in her, so I think that stunted her growth, as both her parents were nice and big! I was going to keep the biggest doe from the litter to replace mom but figures thats the one that died, she was the biggest kit in the litter.

I am going to try switching to Mana Pro feed, I was feeding store brand food but maybe its just not good enough. Im thinking of adding some BOSS to their food also, maybe that will help. <br /><br /> -- Thu Jul 10, 2014 3:46 pm -- <br /><br /> stupid camera wont take pictures! :evil:

Anyways I think she just sealed her own fate! I went to get her out and pose her, she went NUTS!! Kicking and flipping so hard that she made both of her hocks bleed (apparently she has thin fur on them) scratched my arm up, so I didn't even try and put her on the scale. When I finally got her somewhat calm I couldn't get her to pose without her trying to kick again. So I put her back in the cage, I'm done with her! :evil: From what little I did see though she is long in the shoulder

Got Big Red out, he is more calm but still fought me a little. From what I could tell, and I am not good at judging rabbits, he is definitely long in the shoulder, and looks like he peaks late? He looks like he is built more like a Flemish giant than a NZ. He is a solid meaty boy though.

 

[ottersatin]

I'm thinking of adding some BOSS to their food also, maybe that will help.
Be careful when adding BOSS in the summer as it creates heat.
You might do better to add Oats instead. Oats will put on flesh but not FAT.
Ottersatin. ldtimer: