In 2014 we didn't keep enough records for the 5 litters we had. Last year we had 8 litters and weighed at weekly intervals for the first 5 weeks and then at 8 and 12 weeks. We butchered somewhere between 12 and 14 weeks and sometimes weighed again at that point. I think it was Grumpy who posted that the litter weight at 3 weeks was a good indicator of the mother's milk production. That was really helpful. This year we plan to have more litters and I was thinking about not weighing quite so often--perhaps eliminating the 2 and 4 week weighings. So I wondered what other people do and why.
I see how much it helps to have all litters weighed at the same ages so I can compare does and litters. The first few weeks we weigh the whole litter together, but by 5 weeks we weigh kits individually. Is there a reason to weight individuals earlier?
Guess I'll sneak in one more sort of related question What does the growth curve look like for rabbits? It seems to me that the rabbits we keep for breeding, which were bigger than the others when it was time for freezer camp, grow much more slowly over the weeks/months before they reach maturity. Is the goal of 5 pounds at 8 weeks based on "meat breeds" Cali and NZW and perhaps other breeds that mature at 10-12 pounds? With mutts that are 7-9 pounds as adults, would you expect a lower weight at 8 weeks? (okay, I know that the goal also supposes feeding pellets and I would expect less on our forage diet.) But would it make more sense to butcher at 10-12 weeks when the weight is around 4 pounds because that last pound will take a lot longer for a rabbit that will top out at under 9 pounds?
I wish I'd been able to ask all that more concisely but hope someone with experience will figure out what I mean and answer.
I see how much it helps to have all litters weighed at the same ages so I can compare does and litters. The first few weeks we weigh the whole litter together, but by 5 weeks we weigh kits individually. Is there a reason to weight individuals earlier?
Guess I'll sneak in one more sort of related question What does the growth curve look like for rabbits? It seems to me that the rabbits we keep for breeding, which were bigger than the others when it was time for freezer camp, grow much more slowly over the weeks/months before they reach maturity. Is the goal of 5 pounds at 8 weeks based on "meat breeds" Cali and NZW and perhaps other breeds that mature at 10-12 pounds? With mutts that are 7-9 pounds as adults, would you expect a lower weight at 8 weeks? (okay, I know that the goal also supposes feeding pellets and I would expect less on our forage diet.) But would it make more sense to butcher at 10-12 weeks when the weight is around 4 pounds because that last pound will take a lot longer for a rabbit that will top out at under 9 pounds?
I wish I'd been able to ask all that more concisely but hope someone with experience will figure out what I mean and answer.