Just getting started

[mandie80]

Hey guys, I am just getting started with meat rabbits. My husband is working on the cages and I have already found my rabbits. I am getting NZW, 2 bucks and 4 does. I should have them within the next month. I have done lots of research and spent time at a family members rabbitry but I just thought I would see if anybody out there has any advice for beginners?

Also, I have read about hybrid vigor when cross breeding rabbits. I understand that the "vigor" only occurs in the first generation. Is that correct? And if so what would happen if you breed a cross breed to a pure breed? For example if I breed a new zealand and a Californian and then breed one of the offspring to a pure new zealand, would any of the "hybrid vigor" pass down?

 

[SA Farm]

Advice, not so much. I'm good with answering questions though
The 'vigor' only occurs for the first generation, as you know. If you breed the cross breed to the pure bred, you'll still have a good meat rabbit, the kits just won't be as 'vigorous'

 

[Citylife]

I have a couple very productive cross breed rabbits. One doe is 1/2 CA 1/2 NZW and when bred to my NZW or my old CA she always had great looking nice growing kits. I think it depends a lot in your stock. I have been working off of certain rabbits and lines as I know what kind of efficiency I need in my small rabbitry.
Advice to you is.......... get Storeys Guide to Raising Meat Rabbits. And go by it and you should do fine. That book was the bible for a while for us, and now we have been raising rabbits for over 6 years and things are doing well. Good luck to you.