Please help identify my 2 bunnies breed

[Deleted User]

We were told Bella & Rose were Mini Rexes but it turns out they are not. We thought they might be a cross of Netherland Dwarf/Mini Rex as the breeder sells both types but today we were told that they are not even a dwarf breed and will grow up to be full size normal rabbits. Also, they both are does and from the same litter, which from our understanding, means they may start fighting soon and will be very hard to bond them.

They are around 3 months old (maybe a little less) and weigh 1lb 11oz each.

Any help/advice is appreciated……thank you in advance.

[Wick & Fable]

They could just be a varied mixed, but cute nonetheless. It’s useful to know breed so you can approximate size and fur length. I think their size will be medium, and length seems standard as well.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[jerseygirl]

Oh wow, they are both so sweet! You may be right on them being a mini rex/dwarf cross but it would be hard to be certain. Im confused as to why the breeder told you otherwise. Did you see any of their other rabbits with the rex fur?
I can tell you that they are both what is called “Charlies” or charlie-marked because they only have colour markings on 10% or less of their body. This is not to do with breed. It just means they have the “Broken” pattern gene (En) from both parents.

Also, they both are does and from the same litter, which from our understanding, means they may start fighting soon and will be very hard to bond them.

Not necessarily. Time will tell.
I fostered sibling girls and they stayed together. When they reached puberty, there was some humping and a little chasing but no fighting. I also had a mother/daughter pair who stayed together when the daughter reached puberty. They then both got spayed when she was about 7 months old I think. They remained together through out all this.
You do need to keep a close eye on changes, of course. And their stress levels. Also, since the breed and size you were told is proving incorrect, could their gender also be incorrect?

[LBJ10]

Based on what you’re saying, I’m still not convinced. I mean, max. weight of mini rex rabbits is 4 1/2 lbs. Max. weight of Nethies is 2 1/2 lbs. At least according to breed standards. But with any dwarf breed, there are false dwarf individuals. They do not meet breed standards. It isn’t unusual to have a purebred individuals of these breeds that are larger because they did not inherit the dwarfism gene. They are smaller than “regular” rabbits, but larger than what is considered an acceptable size for that breed. These rabbits are often sold by breeders as “pet quality” rabbits. That being said, I could be completely wrong. LOL But I think it’s still entirely possible that your bunnies are Nethie x mini rex crosses. You probably won’t know for sure until they are full grown… which is around 6-8 months. Obviously, if they end up being 7lbs, then they are probably something else. But over 4lbs? That certainly isn’t unheard of for those breeds. Hopefully that helps. Honestly, it really is speculation at this point since all we have to go off of is what the breeder claimed. Sometimes breed-specific features become more prominent when bunnies become adults. Babies can be very tricky.

[Deleted User]

Thank you for the responses, appreciate your input.
We checked for their sex after we got them and yesterday the same person that told us that they will be large 7-10lb when fully grown also confirmed both were does.

[Deleted User]

They seem like dwarf breeds to me. I have two Hollands and at 3 months both buns weighed almost 3 pounds. So the fact that they weigh so little makes me think they’re dwarves.

[Deleted User]

We have been feeding them unlimited Alfalfa hay and 1/8th cup of pellets twice a day, since we thought they were a dwarf breed. We also give them some pellets a few times a day by hand when playing with them.
I have read mixed opinions on wether they should be on unlimited or 1/8 – 1/4 cup a day of pellets until 8 months.
They are happy bunnies for sure and look healthy. 

Both have gained 10 – 11oz each in the last 3 weeks.

As of today Bella weighs 1lb 10oz and Rose weighs 1lb 11oz at around 10 – 12 weeks of age

Are we underfeeding them if they are dwarf or not?

[Wick & Fable]

It’s unlimited if it does not hinder their hay consumption, which will reflect through the size of poops (small = too little hay consumption).

It’ll be limited if there starts being frequent calcium-white pees.

The answers provided in this discussion are for general guideline purposes only. The information is not intended to diagnose or treat your pet. Seek the advice of your veterinarian or a qualified behaviorist.

[LBJ10]

I think that should read 1lb 10oz. I eyes about popped out of my head there for a second.

[Deleted User]

Posted By LBJ10 on 11/12/2017 8:35 PM

I think that should read 1lb 10oz. I eyes about popped out of my head there for a second.

LoL, oops

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