What Gender is Felix?

[Happi Bun]

I just got back from Felix's wellness exam...

Good news; He is in good health!

Surprising news; The vet thinks he is actually a SHE!

I was told Felix is a boy. When I got him home I even checked. However, his genitals are very small and I'm no expert. I've never been to this vet before but he is recommend and our area's go to bunny vet. He seemed to know his stuff and looked over Felix with a fine tooth comb. He even mentioned the UV light debate. How people are realizing more and more how low Vitamin D/UV exposure could be linked to teeth problems. He recommended letting the bunnies spend supervised time outside in a predator proof pen.

Anyway, I wanted opinions on if you think Felix is a girl because I will likely change his name if so. I'm not looking for positive 'oh yes, that's a female' just if most of you agree Felix looks like a female I will go ahead and change the name now. I would hate to keep calling him Felix then when it comes time to neuter, SURPRISE! He really needs a spay and is stuck with the name. The vet tech said Felix is a cute girl name but eh, I'm not sure I would like it.

The vet said he looks like a female because it's more of a slit than round and males have a slightly wider space between the genitals and anus? Not sure if that's true, input?

:thanks:

 

[elrohwen]

I'm gonna say girl, though I'm no expert! Looks more like a taco than a donut

 

[Happi Bun]

Thank you Laura! Your right, it does look like a taco. I never thought of it like that.

Girl: Taco - Boy: Doughnut

 

[Brandy456]

I'd say girl, too
The female equivalent for Felix is Felicia, is that going to be her name?

 

[elrohwen]

Or Felicity would be cute and similar!

 

[pamnock]

From the first photo, the protruding genitals appear to me to form a perfect unbroken circle - if so, you have a little man.

 

[jcottonl02]

Happi Bun wrote:

The vet said he looks like a female because it's more of a slit than round and males have a slightly wider space between the genitals and anus? Not sure if that's true, input?

:nod That's what my vets told me.

And yeah- she does look like a girl to me, but it can be SO hard to tell!!!

Jen

 

[elrohwen]

Pam says boy and she has about 10000x more experience, so I'm going to agree with her

You might just have to wait and see if bunny boy bits show up or not.

 

[jcottonl02]

Oh I didn't see that lol. I posted the total opposite the exam same time.

Hmmm.....yes I am more inclined to go with Pam.....

Jen

 

[OakRidgeRabbits]

pamnock wrote:

From the first photo, the protruding genitals appear to me to form a perfect unbroken circle - if so, you have a little man.

I would definitely say male as well. How old is this rabbit?

Sometimes you'll come across a genetic defect called a split penis, which is exactly what it sounds like. It doesn't hurt and doesn't cause any problems, but it can make verifying genders difficult because it may look more split than usual.

 

[pamnock]

elrohwen wrote:

Pam says boy and she has about 10000x more experience, so I'm going to agree with her

You can only imagine the teasing I received at our state convention when a judge discovered that my son's "jr. doe" was a jr. buck. We had only checked it once when it was very young - turned out that the little guy has a split penis (which no judge has noticed since).

So - no matter how much experience, those rabbits still manage to fool us occasionally!

 

[aurora369]

Looks like a little boy to me. The genitals pop out pretty far on all sides, with a girl the front would be much farther down.

It is super easy to get boy and girl rabbits mixed up though. It is very common for breeders and vets to get genders mixed up on occasion.

-Dawn

 

[jcottonl02]

Well now the more I look at it, and the fact you guys have said it, the more it looks like a boy.....:rollseyes- bunnies are so hard to sex!!!!!!

Jen

 

[Happi Bun]

I think he is a boy too, so I will keep his name. Thank you!!

Oh and Felix is 10 weeks old, the lady said his birthday is a day after Valentines day. I thought he was 9 weeks but just remembered, ha!

 

[OakRidgeRabbits]

Happi Bun wrote:

Oh and Felix is 10 weeks old, the lady said his birthday is a day after Valentines day. I thought he was 9 weeks but just remembered, ha!

I figured so! Usually the genitals don't protrude as far at that age, so it can be harder to tell for the untrained eye (or anyone- it's easy to slip up!). Around 4-6 months old, his boy parts will be a little more pronounced.

 

[irishbunny]

Boy, I'd swear by it. Or else one funny looking girl

 

[slavetoabunny]

I'd say boy, although 10 weeks is still very early to be able to tell. Check again in about another month.

 

[cirrustwi]

pamnock wrote:

elrohwen wrote:

Pam says boy and she has about 10000x more experience, so I'm going to agree with her

You can only imagine the teasing I received at our state convention when a judge discovered that my son's "jr. doe" was a jr. buck. We had only checked it once when it was very young - turned out that the little guy has a split penis (which no judge has noticed since).

So - no matter how much experience, those rabbits still manage to fool us occasionally!

My first thought was boy and when Pam said that too...I'd always go with Pam!

Pam: Does a split penis cause a disqualification? I think I was once told it did, but I'm not certain. Also, I was told, by the same person, that a split penis can make breeding difficult, but I don't know how true either of these things are. The buck I got from her, had a split penis, but he gave me 3 healthy litters.

 

[pamnock]

cirrustwi wrote:

Pam: Does a split penis cause a disqualification? I think I was once told it did, but I'm not certain. Also, I was told, by the same person, that a split penis can make breeding difficult, but I don't know how true either of these things are. The buck I got from her, had a split penis, but he gave me 3 healthy litters.

A split penis is a DQ for showing. It the split is wide and low, sperm can leak out. The primary reason for not using split penis bucks is to try to avoid passing the trait on to other generations, although exactly how it is inherited is unknown.