I had a new mini lop breeder call me today. She's having some issues with her babies and i don't have a clue what to tell her. I hope since many of you have different breeds you can give me an idea on what is happening.

The babies are like 10 weeks old. They've never grown any fur on their backs.(bald as can be)The fur on the rest of their bodies are fine. They're also are very tiny, like they haven't been eating properly. The strange thing is they've been tiny since they were born, they started eating pellets and hay when they 4 to 5 weeks and up to now they eat like normal babies.

As of friday, 3 died, sunday 2 more died, monday 2 more died. now there is one left and she said he looks like he's struggling to hang on.

She wondered if they could have died from getting too cold (mid-30's plus some wind) because of the lack of fur. They've been with the mom, so thats a big bunny to cuddle up to. I wouldn't think all of them would have died because of being cold.

My thoughts on being so small was due to mom not having enough milk. Maybe their stomach bacteria didn't form properly? Maybe something genetic?

I've racked my brain and i can't come up with a reasonable explanation. My guess is a random coincidence of multiple issues at one time.... :shrug

Any thoughts or experiences like this with you guys?

This is probably better directed at experienced ML breeders. It could be a genetic issue with them kinda like NDs have peanuts, Max Factors, etc.

I have mini lops but have never seen anything like that in any of my litters. Has she ever bred this doe before and had problems? It may just be one of those crazy things that happens. I would tell her to try again. :shrug

When I used to raise Calis I got hairless ones every so often. They had a little hair on face etc like a hairless cat or dog and no they did not thrive and died off. Shadow

Then it must be a genetic thing that happens sometimes.

The only thing I can think of the you have not covered is the possibility of a parasite. Before I rebred that doe I would give her and the buck a dose of Ivermec. If there was a parasite present it would take a long time to take out the kits.

It was genetic in the Cali's kinda like the Max gene with out the hind leg s crippled. Shadow

Thanks guys....I'll let her know the different thoughts and let her take it from there.