Non-show quality kindling show quality?

[kitchwitch]

Hello! I'm new to breeding rabbits and I will be starting what I hope will be a small but successful rabbitry specializing in french angoras.

My hope is also to show my rabbits when possible and to breed the best possible show rabbits that I can. My question is this: can a rabbit that is considered not showable (a broken with too much color) breed show-worthy rabbits?

The doe I am considering is out of two grand champions and is very beautiful and very sweet but, like I said, cannot be shown due to her having too much color. She is being sold at a heavily discounted rate which would be wonderful for my wallet, but I don't want to part with the money if she won't be of any use to me.

Thanks!

 

[dbunni]

The simple answer is yes. But, as an inexperienced show breeder it will be harder for you to find the right buck with the proper genetics to produce a show quality color pattern (counteracting the does faults), let alone show quality body & wool texture. I often pose this question to starters in the Angora world: Why fight the upstream battle to produce show quality out of pets?

The standard of the french is graded 60% on color & wool. Why start with an animal that contains a disqualifying fault that could be produced in up to 50% of the get?

So ... in the end, I would suggest putting out the extra few $$ (and I know in angoras that could be quite a few $$) to get a good doe that could give you nice babies.

Good luck and enjoy the kids ... from one Angora lover to another

 

[kitchwitch]

Thanks so much! You bring up a very good point and I appreciate the help!

 

[bellasrabbitry]

Yes, a booted can be bred to another broken and get nice babies. I occasionally keep does like that as brood does to better my herd. If this doe has really good type, nice H/E, and wool I would say go ahead and get her. What rabbitry is she out of? I will sometimes buy a booted doe(not a buck because you want to always be able to show your bucks) from a very well known breeder because I can not afford the $200 price tag on the nice show rabbits.