8 Week Weigh In

I can't believe it has already been 8 weeks! Here are today's numbers:

Sunshine's Litter-
1. 3lb 1.8oz (black runty doe)
2. 3lb 13.4oz (black eye patch doe)
3. 3lb 3.1oz (blue shoulder buck)
4. 3lb 5.2oz (lilac banded doe)
5. 3lb 8.2oz (black banded doe)

Tacoma's Litter-
1. 4lb 3.8oz (Pancake- black doe)
2. 4lb 1.7oz (Jack- black buck)

Here are comparisons to other 8 week old breeds I could find:

Silver Fox:
3lbs 8oz
3 lbs 14.4oz
3lbs 11.4z
3lbs 9.4oz
3lbs 7.4oz
3lbs 1.2oz
3lbs 7.2oz

Cal/NZ:
3lbs 7.4oz
4lbs 1.4oz
4lbs 5.8oz
3lbs 14.6oz
3lbs 13.4oz
3lbs 5.2oz
3lbs 11oz

All of the weights taken today are consistent with the 6 week old findings except that Pancake weighs slightly more than Jack. The smallest kit from birth is still the smallest now by more than a full pound difference. The two biggest kits also were the pair with no other competition, which makes for an interesting discussion about litter management and maximum litter size for optimum growth vs. genetics. Overall, they still seem to be hanging in there compared to other commercial breeds in terms of scale numbers, but some of my kits feel more thick and solid (like Jack), while others are starting to get that long shouldered/hippy/pinched look that many Harlies have. I would imagine that would mean the dress-out for some of them would be sub par as compared to other meat rabbits.

We are going to weigh and eval again at the 10 week mark, but Jack will be staying here as a future herdsire. Our favorite does are Pancake and the eye patch doe from Sunshine's litter. Our least favorite for structure is the blue buck. The runty doe actually has nice type, but she is so small that I doubt she will be able to stay. Everyone is weaned as of this weekend and are currently zooming and binkying around the grow-out pens. Pictures and critiques to follow once I get them uploaded (probably tomorrow).