Rabbits losing weight?

[AClark]

I'm not sure what happened here, but 4 of my rabbits have lost a lot of weight. The 3 does that were bred are in good weight, if not a little fat (and probably why they aren't conceiving) but the other 4 (1 buck and 3 young does) are scrawny. They are being fed the same as ever, they look healthy, clear eyes and noses, their fur is slick and shiny, but when you feel them they are bony!

Any ideas? Maybe need deworming?

 

[animalmom]

No clue, but will be watching to see what others say.

 

[Marie28]

I would definitely deworm. Also how much are you feeding them? Are they drinking normally? Have you weighed them to see how much they actually lost?

 

[AClark]

I free feed pellets and hay. I didn't weigh them, I just go on feel and know feeling prominent bones isn't right. They seem perfectly fine, they're spunky and energetic, clear eyes and noses. I'll deworm them when I feed tonight. Other than parasites I can't think of any reason they'd drop weight.

 

[DutchBunny03]

Check the manure for worm eggs or worms themselves. Generally, rabbits with parasites look sick and act sick. Also check your rabbitry for mice, chipmunks, etc. They could be eating the rabbits food.
Free feeding is why your does are fat. Rabbits do not usually know when to stop eating. In some cases, they become very obese. Can you post a picture of your rabbits?

 

[Marie28]

Our doe is a pig and if we let her she would eat 2 cups of pellets our bucks on the other hand dont eat more than 3/4 a cup (we give them 1 cup a day because they are still growing).

Pictures would be helpful. You should to be able to easily feel the spine, ribs and back leg bones on a rabbit with healthy weight.
http://www.therabbithouse.com/diet/rabbit-weight.asp