Max Factor Gene
Max Factors. Sounds silly, like it has something to do with putting makeup
on your rabbit, right? Well Max Factors are a quite serious issue in the
dwarf world. So what exactly is it? A "Max Factor" rabbit occurs when a
rabbit inherits two Max Factor genes. Let me back up a bit and explain.
Dwarf breeders were getting some very strange looking kits in their
litters from time to time. These kits weren't peanuts, a result of
inheriting two dwarfing genes, they were different. The kits were deformed
- some born with their eyes open, others with twisted limbs. However,
breeders wouldn't talk about these odd looking creatures because they
thought it meant they had problems in their gene pool.
In the 1980's a group of breeders decided to do some testing. They
documented animals that carried this strange gene and finally traced it
back to a Dwarf buck that had been imported to the US. The name of that
buck, was Max. He seemed to be the original carrier of the gene into the
States.
The Max Factor gene is just like any other recessive gene in that both
parents must carry it for the any of the offspring to express it. When the
gene is expressed it means that rabbit has inherited two max factor genes,
one from the sire and one from the dam.
Max factor rabbits can have a variety of abnormalities. Some of these
include:
- Being Born with their eyes open.
This usually will result in blind rabbits. Also, the eyes my become
severely infected because they were open in the birth canal.
- Twisted Limbs
The front of back legs can be twisted and deformed, making it
difficult for the rabbit to get around.
- Flipper Like Feet
The Toes often times look like frog feet. They appear flatter and fatter
than normal, but this "frog-like" look is usually enhanced by the
twisted limbs.
- Extra Toes
Some Max Factor kits will inherit extra toes on the front and/or
back leg.
- Soft Fur
If allowed to develop, many of the Max Factors have a very soft fur
due to the lack of guard hairs.
Below are photos of a max factor kit that appeared in one of my
litters. This kit by far has been the most deformed kit that I have seen
yet. It has a very alien like look to it.
So is Max Factor a bad thing? It depends on how you look at it. It is
said that the rabbits that carry the Max Factor gene along with the
Dwarfing gene are typier than those that do not. Carriers of the gene will
usually have a longer "tuft" of fur on the top of their head, which helps
to make the ears appear shorter. Their fur will sometimes be softer and
thicker in texture than those that do not carry the gene. And some have
longer hair around the jowl area - which makes their head look larger and
fuller. Now this isn't to say that a non-Max Factor rabbit isn't typey,
but the gene does have it's perks.
What should you do if you get a Max
Factor kit in the litter? Most of the breeders will tell you to remove the
rabbit from the nest box and humanely get rid of it. If allowed to live,
the rabbit will require much care and attention because it's mobility and
sight will severely be hindered.
Article written by Mindy Borer
Rabbit Registrar #RR473
www.TranquilAcresRabbitry.com
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