Even if possible, I'm curious how that would be considered an improvement on domestic rabbit meat quality.Irishmeat said:Any europeans here cross wild rabbits into their domestic stock to improve the quality of the meat. I realise that american wild rabbits are a different species to domestic rabbits and cant cross breed.
My thinking, also, regarding, basically, reinventing the wheel.hoodat said:An occasional cross like that (if possible) migh reinvigorate the line but then you'd have to breed some of the undesirable traits back out.
Ah...thanks for the reply. Regarding the meat quality, it wouldn't be something that's my cup of tea (to me, the less gamey qualities the better ) but to each their own.Irishmeat said:It is possible to use a wild buck. it will obviously decrease the size of the offspring however it adds a gamey taste aswell as producing healthier more desease resistant stock. very suitable as grazing/ pasture reared rabbits in chicken tractors or whatever you want to use. You may argue that wild rabbits can transfer disease to domestics but if you know that an area is free from VHD or myxomatosis, by breeding in wild blood to your stock you are effectively vaccinating the offspring as wild rabbits have built up resistance to harmfull diseases through natural selection. hope this helps.