Is there anything else I should be soon for my runt kit?

[macksmom98]

We had our doe kindle 7 and 8 days ago (Yes they were al born almost 24 hrs apart). Everyone seems to be off to a great start, full tummies and active. We are excited to almost have the first week behind us and look forward to seeing some open eyes during week 2. I do have one little guy, who has always been smaller that doesn't seem to be catching up at all. He's about 1/2 the size of our largest one, and I don't think he's a peanut. He acts and looks normal. He looks to be full bellied and I am wondering if this is just normal and if there's anything I should be doing to help him. There is a high demand in our area for these types of bunnies so they are mostly all spoken for. I realize I can't control nature and if I do loose any it's just what can happen, but if I can help him in any way I would really like to.

 

[katiebear]

Just my experience..but I have a little guy that was about half the size of his siblings , litter of 7, he was just let to nature... any way he has almost caught up to his sibs. They will be 7 weeks tomorrow.Once they got on to food he really took off ..at 4 weeks he was still considerably smaller, now he is only a few ounces different..mind that I am breeding large rabbits for meat, so there is no chance of a dwarf gene.

 

[MaggieJ]

I agree with Katiebear . . . if a runt is going to start to catch up to the others, it will usually be after they are eating at least some solid food. If he has a full belly after nursing, there's not going to be any benefit that I can see in trying to supplement. at this point. It might even lead to digestive problems.

Once they are of an age to leave the nest box, giving grass hay and kitchen oatmeal (the large flake kind) can help all the kits. Pellets are fine, but some kits have trouble transitioning from nursing to a straight pellet diet. The oatmeal and hay, being very digestible, help to head this off.

 

[macksmom98]

That information helps a lot. Thanks!!!