Size differences within a litter?

[FourRingCircus]

These babies were born 9/11 and 9/12 - two were earlier in the day on 9/11, we went out of town for 24 hours, and came back to a chaotic hutch... live babies on the wire (4), dead ones in the box including one very large one which I am guessing was blocking the way for all the others. The first two I took to VA with me in a basket - no supplemental feeding or anything.

Here they are as of this morning - a HUGE difference in size between them, these 2 being the largest and smallest:



Looks like they are hungry!



Little runty butt sticking out:



Are the little ones just not eating well? I mean, they aren't shriveled up, they are moving around OK, eyes not quite open like the bigger ones, but overall not nearly as bad as the 2 I have had to cull in the past that just weren't getting anything. Just let them go for now?

Oh, and they are from two NZWs - about 8.5 lbs each? I can't find my paper with the adult weights, but it's not far from that either direction.

 

[macksmom98]

I am not really experienced in this, but I will say that with one of our litters we had the largest kit then one 1/2 the size, being our smallest. I was really worried about possibly having a peanut or that there might be a growth problem, but there wasn't. They both grew and did well, and once older the smaller one did catch up some. But she will always be a little smaller rabbit. I would just make sure their tummys look full, and if you can maybe give the smaller one an opportunity for an extra feeding. As long as tummys are full and everyone is acting healthy I bet things will go fine for you. They are cute!

 

[Fireclaws bunnbutts]

From what I have seen, baby bunnies are *always* hungry lol. When I got mine out yesterday for pictures, they were bouncing around and grunting as soon as they felt my hand, but they all had nice, fat bellies lol.

The bigger ones probably are impeding the smaller ones ability to get much milk,but it also depends on how long mom spends with the babies each visit, but so long as they aren't thin and are just as active as the older ones, I'd say it shouldn't be much of a problem and they'll probably catch up once they start eating solids.