agouti/steel genetics

[DutchBunny03]

In Dutch, steels actually appear in two colors; gold-tipped and silver tipped. Genetics are an intricate thing. Your rabbits could be a mutation, or they are not actually the color you think they are at all. Some rabbits go through a very dramatic coat change when they molt.

 

[promiseacres]

Yes genetics are intricate, BUT tons of people have studied and published their findings on the topic. To say it's just a mutation and they aren't an actual color means I should cull the entire line as i am raiisng show bunnies that have to fit a standerd. Which I think would be quite the loss. Maybe that's what you would do, I would rather research and become more educated. www.arba.net/district/9/lop_color_genetics.htm
Here is a good overview on lop color genetics if interested in understanding the genetics.

BTW in any breed there's gold or silver tipped steel, AND can be any variety such as blue, chocolate, black, ect. The gold or silver is based on the "C" genes.

 

[Hens and Roos]

Will be watching to see how the color turns out for you!

 

[promiseacres]

Ugh, incomplete steel or Aa_____ ES e also can appear self.... but atleast I think I am getting closer to figuring it out. One key that these 2 aren't "normal" opals is very little ear lacing.

 

[Bunnylady]

So can Esej - I once bred a NZW to a Harlequin and got a whole litter of solid black bunnies.

 

[DutchBunny03]

@promiseacres , the litter would not necissarily have to be culled. Most rabbit breeds and varieties came from mutations in the rabbit's genes. The Rex breed came from a mutation in the fur. So did the Havana, Satin, and Tan. Lops are a mutation from the normal pricked-up ears. If it is a mutation, and not just an unmolted coat(which it very well may be), the rabbits could be used to develop a new coat variety in Lops. But, not many people have the time or money to try to create a new breed/variety. I toyed with the idea of a Satinized Dutch, but my bank account said no. Show rabbits must be culled judiciously. I dont kill the kits, like some very serious show breeders, but i sell them as pets. Dutch are a pain in the neck to get a well-marked one, so a litter that is all well-marked is very rare.

 

[Bunnylady]

Ugh, incomplete steel or Aa_____ ES e also can appear self.... but atleast I think I am getting closer to figuring it out. One key that these 2 aren't "normal" opals is very little ear lacing.

The lack of a lighter inner ear on one of them was one thing that stood out to me, too. Even "normal opals" would have that. Colors look a little different on a Rex coat- the banding is harder to see because the bands are so short. It could be hard to tell the difference between the ticking on a steel and the banding on an opal. One has light eye rings and the nose lacing and it looks like the inside of the ear is light colored; that one looks more like an opal to me.

Dutch are a pain in the neck to get a well-marked one, so a litter that is all well-marked is very rare.

You have just won the "understatement of the year award." I have bred two marked breeds, Dutch and Harlequin, and I think your odds of winning the lottery are better. If you are lucky, you will get a couple of good rabbits in a litter; there are so many faults and DQ's it's often not a case of "which one is best," its more like "which one is least bad." Did you know that at one time, Dutch came in harlequin color? They wanted a good harlie pattern as well as the Dutch markings. I'm not surprised that color is no longer shown - I think anybody who tried it wound up in the funny farm!

 

[promiseacres]

The lack of a lighter inner ear on one of them was one thing that stood out to me, too. Even "normal opals" would have that. Colors look a little different on a Rex coat- the banding is harder to see because the bands are so short. It could be hard to tell the difference between the ticking on a steel and the banding on an opal. One has light eye rings and the nose lacing and it looks like the inside of the ear is light colored; that one looks more like an opal to me.

If I breed the mother to an agouti should that tell me if she is incomplete or super steel?



You have just won the "understatement of the year award." I have bred two marked breeds, Dutch and Harlequin, and I think your odds of winning the lottery are better. If you are lucky, you will get a couple of good rabbits in a litter; there are so many faults and DQ's it's often not a case of "which one is best," its more like "which one is least bad." Did you know that at one time, Dutch came in harlequin color? They wanted a good harlie pattern as well as the Dutch markings. I'm not surprised that color is no longer shown - I think anybody who tried it wound up in the funny farm!

Still see some of the Harli dutch on some fb groups.

 

[promiseacres]

@Bunnylady if I breed this doe to an agouti would that help tell me if she is an incomplete or a super steel?

 

[promiseacres]

Perso

@promiseacres , the litter would not necissarily have to be culled. Most rabbit breeds and varieties came from mutations in the rabbit's genes. The Rex breed came from a mutation in the fur. So did the Havana, Satin, and Tan. Lops are a mutation from the normal pricked-up ears. If it is a mutation, and not just an unmolted coat(which it very well may be), the rabbits could be used to develop a new coat variety in Lops. But, not many people have the time or money to try to create a new breed/variety. I toyed with the idea of a Satinized Dutch, but my bank account said no. Show rabbits must be culled judiciously. I dont kill the kits, like some very serious show breeders, but i sell them as pets. Dutch are a pain in the neck to get a well-marked one, so a litter that is all well-marked is very rare.

Personally would cull the line if I couldnt come up with a plausible explanation. I do not have time, or $ to create at this time. Plus it would be shady if I didn't disclose a genetic issue even if it's only color.
Dutch were my 4H project, got best 4 class with them 1 year. Yes a challenge but not impossible.