This is Flopsy 8 mth old Black Otter Netherland Dwarf Doe



This is Frosty, 9mth old Broken Netherland Dwarf Buck (yes, the one causing me lots trouble!)



Flopsy and Frosty's kits, born 16th Jly



This is Tiny. He/She is a 'peanut'. (he/she has inherited 2 dwarf genes)
It seems he is not able to feed from his mother so I am trying hard to hand rear him and put him back in with the rest of the litter between feeds. He is on a mix of cimicat and probiotic. He seems to be doing well, taking .03mls at each feed and he is pooping as he should. I have trawled the internet for info on 'peanuts' but I have been unable to find a success story. It seems they usually die within a few days as they are sometimes under developed.



Keep your fingers crossed for him

omg he is sooo cute!! May be a daft question but what is a 'peanut'?

Peanut is a common term for a kit that inherits two dwarf genes, one from each parent. It occurs in around 25% of births. They are not simply the runt of the litter. (As my stupid vet seems to think!!!)

I got this from Wikipaedia -

When two "true dwarfs" (both buck and doe) are bred, the genetic pattern which makes them "true dwarfs" (Dwdw) ensures that a percentage of their offspring will inherent the lethal genetic combination DwDw. The condition is 100% fatal. If two true dwarfs are bred the result will be 25% fatal 25% false, and 50% true. "False Dwarfs" may still be purebred, but have longer bodies, which throws off their balance. Their ears are normally longer, and they have narrower heads.

However, my mother bred dwarves in the 70's and she had one survive. So I am hoping that I can do enough to help him. The signs so far are good as he will take milk and he is pooping. Apparently, most peanuts, will have problems such as an incomplete oesophagus and of course that would be a reason why they die. I guess some people never even know that thier doe has had a peanut because they do not handle the babies. When the baby then dies the mother will often eat it. My doe is happy for me to handle the kits and it has not affected her care of the other three.

I read on the internet that it's best to put them to sleep and a rescue centre I rang for advice on hand rearing told me to leave him with his mom and let nature take it's course but I just can't do that without doing my best to help him survive. So I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed he will make it.

Beautiful bunnies and kits :heart: Fingers and paws crossed for a happy ending with the little one.

Awww beautiful. :heart:

All fingers and paws crossed for the little peanut. xxxx

Lovely bunsters :kiss:

Fingers crossed for little one :kiss: