when do New Zealand Whites mature?

piperknitsRN · Nov 5, 2011

I have a NZ white of undetermined age--shelter said he was between 2-4months, but they also neutered him, so I am thinking he is closer to four months. He is only about 3.5-4lbs right now, but I know they get up to about 9-11lbs. When can I expect him to be done growing? Just curious, as my Holland lop appears to be done growing, and she's only six months old. I know the bigger breeds mature later.

Nancy McClelland · Nov 5, 2011

Our boy was 11 pounds. I was told that they mature earlier because they are a purposed rabbit thru longtime breeding and that they are mature at 6 months. Just what my ears picked up from the feed store guy.

piperknitsRN · Nov 5, 2011

So would it be possible he's younger than 4 months and neutered? Because if he matures in another two months, he has a *lot* of growing to do (over half his weight now!) in a very short time. Perhaps he's a mix, and won't get as big, though he definitely looks like a New Zealand to me otherwise.

CCWelch · Nov 7, 2011

Usually by 10 weeks a good New Zealand is the weight of yours. Could be a Florida White which except for size looks the same as a New Zealand White. Their mature weight is 4 to 6 pounds.

Watermelons · Nov 7, 2011

piperknitsRN wrote:

So would it be possible he's younger than 4 months and neutered? Because if he matures in another two months, he has a *lot* of growing to do (over half his weight now!) in a very short time. Perhaps he's a mix, and won't get as big, though he definitely looks like a New Zealand to me otherwise.

Buns can be neutered as soon as their balls drop and in some cases thats 8 weeks. And in some cases vets that have the experience, can do the surgery before their balls fully drop.

Can you post a picture of him? Maybe some other members will help you identify what he really is if not 100% NZ