Breed guesses?

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BINKYBUNNY FORUMS

This topic has 6sd replies, 3 voices, and was last updated 4 years, 4 months ago by LBJ10.

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- 10/22/2021 at 2:53 PM
  Salem Fluffle
  Participant
  48 posts
  Hi guys,
  
  I’ve got two little babes that were listed as “American mix” by the shelter. I’m fairly positive they are both Harlequins, at least Harley mixes. Scout, the girl with the much darker markings, is just over 7 months old and weighed around 5.6 lbs when she was spayed on 10/8/21. She strikes me as partly giant or maybe Palomino due to the size of her ears and back feet at this time. Smudge is a 4 1/2 month old boy who weighed only 3.7 lbs at neuter on 10/8/21. He’s got the Harley looking split face and while his markings are not as striking as Scout’s, he seems to have the look of a blue. They both have flyback fur, hers is a little softer but not Rex soft, while Smudge feels a touch more wiry.
  
  I’m not sure how much longer either one will grow since I think it depends on the breed? I’m also wondering if I should be feeding them any alfalfa based products to help them grow or if they’re good on timothy products only. The shelter had them eating timothy which seemed premature for Smudge. It’s been a little while since I had young bunnies in the house and my memory is rusty on cut off ages.
- 10/22/2021 at 4:58 PM
  LBJ10
  Moderator
  17225 posts
  The problem with the harlequin pattern is that it has been introduced into many breeds. I have see harlequin patterned Nethies and Holland lops. I’ve also see Rex bunnies with the harlequin pattern. Unfortunately, that means the presence of the pattern may not necessarily indicate breed.
  
  The Harlequin breed tends to be around 8-10lbs. It doesn’t look like your girl will get that big. At 7 months, she is likely done growing in size. She will probably spend the next few months filling out a little bit. She might end up being around 6lbs. But that is just my guess.
  
  Both your bunnies have the harlequin pattern gene. Your boy has the dilute gene, which gives the “blue” color. Looking at their faces, ears, and the fact that they have flyback fur… it’s possible there is some Havana in there. The large ears could be breed-related, or they just need to grow into them. I suppose time will tell. Meat breeds have large ears, but they are often 12lbs+.
  - 10/23/2021 at 9:52 AM
    Salem Fluffle
    Participant
    48 posts
    I hadn’t considered a Havana. Scout’s facial structure really reminds me of a Palomino, but I know that I’ll never know for sure. I did have a Rex in the past with the harlequin pattern and I have two mini Rex’s currently, neither of the littles have the plushy Rex fur. I’m excited to see how they fill out as they grow, they are both so adorable and sweet. 🙂
  - 10/23/2021 at 11:19 PM
    LBJ10
    Moderator
    17225 posts
    Yes, he does have a similar look, doesn’t he? Another idea… maybe there is some lop in there? He sort of has the head shape and ears of a Holland. I would watch his ears to see if they start to helicopter.
- 10/23/2021 at 9:44 AM
  DanaNM
  Moderator
  9064 posts
  They are very cute!
  
  Regarding your feed question, your boy should probably still be on alfalfa pellets if he’s only 4.5 months old. Some people like to feed alfalfa pellets until they reach a year old, but others transition them to timothy pellets around 6-7 months. For simplicity, you could give them both alfalfa pellets but just feed your girl less since she’s older, and just monitor her body condition. Both could have timothy hay now though.
  
  . . . 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.
  - 10/23/2021 at 9:58 AM
    Salem Fluffle
    Participant
    48 posts
    Thank you. I’ve seen mixed instructions on how long to feed alfalfa – the Oxbow bag says for one year and other resources say to stop around 5-6 months. I’ve been giving Scout just a small amount mixed in with her timothy pellets, and I’m working on weaning Smudge back into the alfalfa. I did buy a couple small bags of alfalfa hay so I will be done with those when they’re gone and Smudge can eat the timothy hays that I give my other three.
    
    LBJ10 suggested Scout is probably done growing in size and may fill out. Is that the normal age for bunnies to be done growing (6-7 months)? I’m guessing Smudge has always been smaller than he should be as his first medical notes from the shelter stated to keep an eye on his weight.
- 10/23/2021 at 12:50 PM
  DanaNM
  Moderator
  9064 posts
  Yeah I think the recommendations vary a lot by breed. Giant breeds need a year, whereas smaller breeds don’t need that long. Generally 6month old bunnies seem to have most of their length and height by that age, but they continue to “fill out” a bit in their muscle mass. I think most people agree that by the time they are 7 months old they also don’t need unlimited pellets. I think feeding a mixture is a safe bet. It can be harder to get buns to eat timothy hay when they are used to getting alfalfa hay, so many people choose to only feed alfalfa pellets. But as long as they are getting some source of alfalfa that’s fine, so you could keep doing timothy pellets plus alfalfa hay if that was easier for you.
  
  Getting them a check-up with your vet would help you have a better sense of what to do, as the vet can assess their body condition.
  
  . . . 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.
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