| Welcome to Rabbit Addict. The forums are a place to discuss all things related to rabbits and cavy. From breeding to pet, emergency to genetics questions. Our members are a mix of genetics enthusiasts, breeders, and pet owners looking to share their animals. Hop on in and join the fun! We don't bite. I promise. You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as joining the discussion, customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features: |
| Runt? | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: Dec 16 2013, 03:05 PM (260 Views) | |
| Cinnamonbuns | Dec 16 2013, 03:05 PM Post #1 |
|
New to the Addiction
![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Hi, I'm new to this forum, and wanted to ask a question about one of my Hollands. I have a buck, who I purchased when he was about 5 months. He was a little on the small side, (nothing dramatic, and certainly not runt size) but the breeder assured me that he hadn't finished filling out yet. Fast forward a year and a half, and imagined a perfectly formed proportional show bunny- just miniature. He's been a senior for almost two years, and people still ask me why I entered such a young bunny as a senior. He has lovely ears, bone, and a gorgeous head, when you look at him alone. Except, on the table, he's probably half the size of the rest of his class. He's barely two and a half pounds, so I've been wondering if he was a runt. I've seen his parents, and while they weren't the largest of rabbits, they certainly were larger than he is. However, when I was picking him out, he was around the size of the rest of his litter mates, and he was eating the same amount of food as them. The strange thing is, he's the healthiest rabbit I own, and he has never had any health problems. I'm going to breed him to one of my massive does, because his ears and bone structure are perfect. Has anyone had a simply tiny rabbit? His ears are very small, which looks great, but small ears are signs of a runt. Is it possible that I have a runt that thrives in adulthood, or was his litter just freakishly dwarfed? Thanks
|
![]() |
|
| ZRabbits | Dec 17 2013, 06:54 AM Post #2 |
|
Love My Lions!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Hi Cinnamonbuns, Welcome to Rabbit Addict. Sounds like you have a "true" dwarf Holland. Perfectly proportioned but just tiny. If it was a runt, I would think you would see health issues by now. I do have Lionheads that have the dwarf gene and can see the different sizes in just the one litter I have. I would definitely breed him to a massive doe. Best pairing when it comes to dwarf rabbits. Tiny buck to a larger doe. This will probably stop "peanuts" showing up as I believe your buck is "true" dwarf. BTW, though he is tiny in his class, how did he do otherwise? If he has a perfect bone structure,and a perfect crown, definitely will pass this on to future kits. Ears can be given length by the massive doe. Hopefully Sidd will come on and give her view as she's breeds Hollands. Probably give you a better insight then myself on this lovely breed. Hollands are just a sweet rabbit. Hope you let us know how the breeding goes. Plus would love to see pics of your little guy. KAZ |
![]() |
|
| NCK | Dec 17 2013, 09:08 AM Post #3 |
|
Somebunny is a awfully chatty
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Welcome, Cinnamonbuns! I raise Hollands too .Your buck might be a runt, but I would be surprised at his perfect health if he were. Yes, he would definitely be a true dwarf, but typically there isn't such a great size difference. TD's average 3-4 lb. and the FD's usually go OVER that. Even the TD's can go overweight, especially the proven does. Runts do have small ears, but your larger rabbits can too. It can be genetics, or if he has a winter birthday, his ears could be short because of the weather. My guess is that he's just a tiny buck. I've heard of Hollands that size - even does who kindle successfully - and wouldn't be concerned unless his offspring are all the same size, which is unlikely, especially if bred to a big doe. Unfortunately he just won't be able to hold his own with all of the larger bucks on the table. |
![]() |
|
| sidd-says-gimme | Dec 17 2013, 10:38 AM Post #4 |
|
sidd says stay gold
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
I have had a few Holland bucks around that size. Some are just small. I would say that he isn't a runt, since rabbit "runts" tend to not have correct proportions (mine are always tiny with a pointy face and long ears - not sure if they grow out of that though) and not thrive well. |
![]() |
|
| NeuBunny | Dec 17 2013, 12:17 PM Post #5 |
|
Genetics Geek!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
We had a tort minirex doe (Sunrise) who fit your description -- came from a breeder who was working on getting the size down in his false dwarfs -- add true dwarf on that and you can get a small bunny. Breeder sold her to my son at 3 months old for a 'pet price' (with pedigree) with the warning that he wasn't sure she would ever make show weight - she didn't. But oh was she pretty - and my son adored that she 'stayed a baby'). Lost her at not quite a year old - just dead in her cage without warning. |
![]() |
|
| ZRabbits | Dec 18 2013, 06:36 AM Post #6 |
|
Love My Lions!
![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]() ![]()
|
Hey NCK, so glad to see you back talking about your Hollands. Don't know if Tonks was a runt, but more towards a "true" dwarf. Had to help her feed for the first couple days of her life. Lost her when she was a year old. No appearance of illness, but something happened internally and she bled out one night. Just so sad, if only I had known there was something wrong. Still feel bad about her loss. She was truly a sweetheart. KAZ |
![]() |
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
| « Previous Topic · Breeding Basics · Next Topic » |





![]](http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c319/bunniluver/pip_rgt.png)



.
2:10 PM Jul 11