what to do about the runt or possible peanut?

[KrystalMarie]

This little one is about half the size as the other kits. Momma keeps pushing him to the side so he can't stay warm. I am pretty sure she feed all the others, but not him. Should I just take him out and do my best with him?? I am totally willing!!! Also I think he's a runt because he seems the same as the others, he's just weaker and don't move as much. Just wondering what the difference is between a runt and a peanut?

 

[Wynette]

Hey, Krystal- I don't have rabbits, but I know someone that raises them so I e-mailed her (she's not a member here) and here's her reply:

If the head is bigger than the body, then it is a peanut. It could also be that the mother knows something isn't quite right with it and doesn't want to take it. If it was mine, then I would try and bottle feed it, just to give it a chance.

I hope this helps!

 

[KrystalMarie]

Thanks for the advice!
I haven't decided what to do wth it yet! I don't want him to be cold.
I tired bottle feeding him and he wasn't to interested in it.
I think he might just be a runt!

 

[Bunnylady]

My reply seems to have evaporated into the ether. Very well, let's see if this gets through.

A runt is an otherwise normal bunny that got short shrift while in the doe's uterus.

A peanut is a bunny that inherited a copy of the dwarfing gene from both its mother and its father. Peanuts are only about 2/3 the size of the normal bunnies in the litter. Their heads look odd (a friend calls them "camel babies" because the head looks like a camel's head to her). The hind end of a peanut looks underdeveloped, and they often have little or no control of their back legs.

 

[KrystalMarie]

Thank you!! I am so greatful to hear he is just a runt, his head is the same in portion as the others, so yaaaaay. A happy health baby bunny!!!

 

[Bossroo]

Mother Nature knows best. She told mamma to get rid of the runt and spend her time and food resoures carring for those that have a good chance to survive. 99% of the time it is a waste of time and effort to keep a runt going... just cull it and move on.

 

[KrystalMarie]

Thamks for all the advice guys, but the bunny died sometime last night.. We still have five.. Our white bunny we think is having babies but not to sure :/