Californians

[helmstead]

I've had pet rabbits in the past...so this was hard...but...

I ate rabbit for the first time a couple weekends ago.  It was so good...so...

Now we have three Californian rabbits.  I need to resex them (double check the seller's determinations - he said two bucks and a doe, but I'm gonna recheck).

They were feed restricted to stay small (originially intended as pet sales).  We plan to feed one up for the freezer and use the others as the beginnings of breeding stock.

They're 4 1/2 months old, TINY.  I'll get pics eventually.  They've already put on a bunch of weight with free choice pellets and hay...(we've had them a week and a half).

Will this doe ever catch up and mature the size she should have?  Or should I go on the hunt for some new babies?

Meat breeds are exceedingly hard to find around here...

[GoatTech]

If you need help sexing, let me know, I can try to help you.
Yes, she can grow to the correct size at this point in age. Top dress her feed with calf manna and she should catch right up.Calf manna can do a world of wonders for a rabbit.
How does her top line feel?

[helmstead]

Nah I'm good at the sexing...

They are all THIN.  It will take some time I'm sure for them to get muscling, etc...they were all bones and maybe weighed 2 lbs when I picked them up.  It went from purchase to rescue in about 2 mins...

Today they all have nice big tummies and feel twice as heavy as they were.

Calf Manna...didn't even think about that one.  Clovite an ok substitute?  I've never had to bring a rabbit back into good form...I can't imagine not being able to feed one well!  Mine have always been overweight (a bad habit I suppose I'll have to break if I'm breeding).

[GoatTech]

At 41/2 months, they are still growing (I wean at around 3 months), so it shouldn't be too hard to get them in shape.
I have never used clovite, so I can't comment on that one. I do know the calf manna will put the correct condition on them fairly quickly.
If you can feel bones, that means they do have the potential to grow to a normal size.
Yep, for your does, you can't let them get overweight, so we restrict, but you can't have them being in bones either,...LOL. I have a few overweight does and it happens to the ones that I wait to breed. They gain weight in a hurry between 6-12 months if you let them.
Yes, as cheap as it is to feed one, starving one is just ridiculous!!

[helmstead]

Well I resexed them yesterday and it looks to me like I have one buck and two does =)  Two slits and one tube. 

Thanks for the help, Jenny!  Ben's working on building a hutch for me today...they're all in my horse trailer right now in a dane sized dog wire crate...need to get them separated.

[GoatTech]

  Sounds like you could be well on your way with building you're herd! 2 does are better than 1.
Let us know how your hutch goes.

[helmstead]

I've always just had neutered boys for pets...this whole breeding thing should be interesting.

[GoatTech]

  You are going to have the time of your LIFE with the breeding!!
The does can be very "bratty", even though they are induced ovulators.
The bucks are too cute to watch breed. When they "fall off", it is just hilarious!! I have to snicker, god-love them.

The hardest thing IMO with the breeding is the doe. Some does are just rotten and will refuse for quite a few days. I find myself taking the doe to the buck cage every day for about a week with certain does.