NZ/California Cross

[chlocbfkgj]

Yesterday, we went and bought four NZ/California Crosses. It was said to be that they were 8-10 weeks but the smallest we have now is able to fit in one of our hands and we’re not sure if that’s her current age frame or not. We’ve never dealt with this breed before and I wanted to ask more knowledgeable sources before we took her somewhere else to be checked up on to make sure she’s okay with being on the same diet the other rabbits are on. She’s been acting fine and doing everything they’re doing but her size still worries me.

 

[Cookiemonster]

she could be a runt...

 

[majorv]

What are their weights?

 

[woahlookitsme]

At 8-10weeks they should be at least 3lbs if they are bred for meat. Cals and New Zealand’s are some of the fastest growing rabbits but that also depends on the line that the breeder used. Breeders use a fast growing line because people show a meat pen at 70days old and the babies should already be 5lb

 

[chlocbfkgj]

Callie (which is the smallest one we own) she is maybe 1.5lbs and is supposedly 9 weeks.

 

[woahlookitsme]

In a litter you can always have runts. Sadly they usually pass before they are weaned but just be cautious because sometimes there’s just something wrong and they never end up thriving and end up passing after a couple of months of age. Saying that though we have had some that do really well and end up catching up to their siblings. They can all be fed the same thing. If the rabbits are not separated yet you may want to separate them by sex right now and maybe keep the runt with a sibling of the same sex to help ease the stress. Just make sure to watch for fighting or bullying. If they are all separated then no worries. Oh babies should be free fed an alfalfa based diet pellet along with a grass hay like Timothy. If the babies are going to be bred in the future you can keep them on the alfalfa based diet but if they will be pets then switching them to a Timothy based diet is best. If you have probiotics like bene bac you can give some to the runt

 

[chlocbfkgj]

Here’s a comparison between them all. Callie is the only one with black eyes.