Crossing for Meat

[Bunnylady]

Here's a consideration for you folks who itch to tinker with genetics: do not breed a larger (flemish) buck to a smaller, in comparison (NZ) doe.

My understanding in breeding a larger to a smaller is to always have the larger animal be the doe and the smaller animal be the buck.

You don't want little mothers trying to birth big babies. Not say it can't be done, but why tempt bad fate?

Generally speaking, it isn't a good idea, but I think this caution needs to be taken into perspective. Just how "little" is a 10 to 12 lb doe? If there were a huge difference in the size of the breeders, I agree, it's not a good idea, but the weight for Flemish Giants starts at 13 lbs. When the Altex rabbit was created, Flemish Giant bucks were bred to Champagne d'Argent and Californian does, both of which are smaller breeds than the Flemish. Altex generally grow to at least 13 lbs. in size; yet for many years, they were being used exclusively as "terminal cross" sires over NZW's and Cal's in commercial operations. I have seen does deliver "fetal giants" that were considerably larger than normal kits for their breed, so I think that, as long as a little common sense is being used, you don't have to put your buck and doe on either end of a balance scale, and not do the breeding if the doe isn't the heavier animal.

 

[Pastor Dave]

When the Altex rabbit was created, Flemish Giant bucks were bred to Champagne d'Argent and Californian does, both of which are smaller breeds than the Flemish. Altex generally grow to at least 13 lbs. in size; yet for many years, they were being used exclusively as "terminal cross" sires over NZW's and Cal's in commercial operations.

I do appreciate the concern of @animalmom in protecting the doe.
When I was a kid, we were probably getting started in meat rabbits about the time the Altex was being developed. We only had cross-bred mutts, and did ok in production and vigor. After we raised rabbits for ten years, I gave up rabbit raising for twenty years until late Summer, 2015. So to be honest, this is abt the first time I have heard of the Altex. I like the idea of a terminal cross sire. It would save me a lot of time just to research where to find them somewhat locally and invest in one. I do have an Intermediate NZW buck that I am just starting out on breeding, so it will probably wait a while because I do not have a reason to cull my Sr. Buck.
Thanks for both Animalmom and Bunnylady's help on this topic.

 

[Ebers]

Generally speaking, it isn't a good idea, but I think this caution needs to be taken into perspective. Just how "little" is a 10 to 12 lb doe? If there were a huge difference in the size of the breeders, I agree, it's not a good idea, but the weight for Flemish Giants starts at 13 lbs. When the Altex rabbit was created, Flemish Giant bucks were bred to Champagne d'Argent and Californian does, both of which are smaller breeds than the Flemish. Altex generally grow to at least 13 lbs. in size; yet for many years, they were being used exclusively as "terminal cross" sires over NZW's and Cal's in commercial operations. I have seen does deliver "fetal giants" that were considerably larger than normal kits for their breed, so I think that, as long as a little common sense is being used, you don't have to put your buck and doe on either end of a balance scale, and not do the breeding if the doe isn't the heavier animal.

I agree as long as I'm not trying to breed a flemish to a dutch or something like that I think I'll be alright but it's certainly something to take into consideration. I know I can't be sure which genetics will be transmitted to the next generation as you said in a previous post but the kits will only be 1/8 flemish