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My new French Angora Chestnut doe had a sweet little litter of 6 a week ago. One of the kits had a hole in it's back. A few days later, I noticed that another kit was dragging its back legs. Neither kit at a week old could defecate or walk normally. They obviously had Spina Bifida. I culled them.
Knowing that Spina Bifida could be from toxins or deficiencies, as well as possibly genetic, I am struggling with whether or not to cull. She is my new favorite rabbit. She has great mothering skills, even for a new mom, excellent density and gorgeous color. The remaining kits look good, as far as I can tell. The buck has never sired any litters with birth defects, so I think it's the doe.
Being new to me (got her several weeks ago), I hope the birth defect was due to some toxin or deficiency she may have experienced at her breeder's home. Our rabbits are fed organic pellets, organic hay.... out in the clean, fresh air and we use no chemicals. She arrived to me smelling like perfume, so I know she was around something I would not have used. Just grasping at straws here, and hoping it's not genetic for her.
Would you tend to cull a doe for this?
Anyone have experience or knowledge of it's cause or prevention?
Lastly, please share how you humanely dispatch a kit
I have frozen them. Easy to do when it's subzero outside. Please advise any more humane ways, if you know of any.
Thank you.
Knowing that Spina Bifida could be from toxins or deficiencies, as well as possibly genetic, I am struggling with whether or not to cull. She is my new favorite rabbit. She has great mothering skills, even for a new mom, excellent density and gorgeous color. The remaining kits look good, as far as I can tell. The buck has never sired any litters with birth defects, so I think it's the doe.
Being new to me (got her several weeks ago), I hope the birth defect was due to some toxin or deficiency she may have experienced at her breeder's home. Our rabbits are fed organic pellets, organic hay.... out in the clean, fresh air and we use no chemicals. She arrived to me smelling like perfume, so I know she was around something I would not have used. Just grasping at straws here, and hoping it's not genetic for her.
Would you tend to cull a doe for this?
Anyone have experience or knowledge of it's cause or prevention?
Lastly, please share how you humanely dispatch a kit
I have frozen them. Easy to do when it's subzero outside. Please advise any more humane ways, if you know of any.Thank you.
