Our first large litter. Lots of questions.

[Miss M]

From being on this forum i am coming to learn that I am pretty critical of my herd and i am comparatively quick to cull any undesirables,

There are a number of members who take this approach. It does seem to build strong herds.

I will get there eventually, as our initial breeders, who are pets, die off and are replaced by better stock.

 

[skysthelimit]

As much as you all know I love to cull, when my does where breeding I had several litters of 10, 11, 12, all of the time. I did not split litters and never seemed to have a doe that kindled at the same time. All were just fine. This doe now is raising a litter of 9 by herself. I think someone told me that show rabbits are no longer bred for litter size? Guess they were wrong, these are all from the same breeder. These kits are all big and fat, not a single runt or difference in size. Because the litter is so large, I will not wean them when I usually do, nor will she be bred back until they are at least 4 weeks old.

 

[AnnClaire]

I have had to dispatch 2 for cleft palette and both times, I just used a pencil across the neck for CD.

As for balancing the litters, I practice that regularly and also will supplement the runts for a week and if they gain, then they go in with a younger litter where the competition is less rather than keeping them with the larger sized kits of their own litter.

Right now, I have a three-week old kit that is 1/4 the size of it's litter mates, and it is in with a litter a week younger ... its' eyes are open and it is getting around, but seems to appreciate being in the fur-filled basket with the younger kits.