tAZ Rabbit

[sandog001]

Was curious as to what your goals were for your rabbitry... and you said the top 3 meat rabbits in one of your posts... NZ, Californian and what is your 3rd choice...
I was looking at the Palimino rabbit as a good meat rabbit today... and on that note where would I find a list of the current endagered rabbits status...
I find it interestiing that I might help to save a breed while just being a small backyard operation.....

Thanks

 

[sandog001]

sorry about the t in front of AZ.....
had another question... does anyone have a suggestion / opinions on which is the best breed to not only be a good meat rabbit but is popular to sell for pets and good
for show... I would like to max out my potential cash flow with one breed of rabbit...
of course the more I read the more I am thinking i should broaden out to a Lop or Lionhead for the pet aspect of sales....
anyway,... thanks for the opinions....

 

[AZ Rabbits]

I have a couple goals for my rabbitry. One goal is selective breeding to fine tune my herd of NZW's, Californians and American Blues into the highest quality breeders. Particularly the American Blues, which almost went extinct. Far too little attention has gone to fine tuning them and getting more people interested, although there are a few other very passionate breeders across the country. They are an amazing breed and a perfect match for meat producers.

My other goal is to maximize meat production in relation to feed expense. This consists of maximizing litters, highest 8 week weight, greatest efficiency in food consumption, etc. while emphasizing optimal health for both producing does and litters themselves. This is a detail oriented goal where sub par producers must be culled and only the best producers with greatest results kept in the breeding program. Too many herds have been mixed up and now it seems most all rabbits on the market aren't what the owners are claiming they are, whether they know it or not. Pure lines are difficult to find. And introducing non-related pure lines is even more difficult. This isn't important for the casual backyard producer (most of the backyard breeders), but my goals are not the same as the casual backyard producer.

I have found the American to be in the top 3 meat rabbits. Personally, I think it's the #1 meat rabbit in the world. Full grown they are the same weight as a NZW should be. They do have a different shape (mandolin) vs. the brick shape of the NZW and Californians. They lost their popularity (from what I can figure) primarily due to the color of their pelts. White pelts are easier to dye and sell, therefore a better choice for commercial rabbitries. Plus the white fur that sometimes ends up on the processed meat is less noticeable than blue fur (although there are also American Whites, which were developed after the blues). The Americans with their mandolin shape are a little longer body than NZW's. The Americans also fill out quicker to have more meat at 8 to 10 weeks. The NZW's do catch up, but not until after that time. So you have more meat coming from a rabbit with tiny bones and great feed/meat ratios (something you lose with Flemish Giants and other larger breeds).

Crossing the NZW and Cali do get great results in meat development but is a terminal hybrid benefit. You lose the benefit if you breed 2nd+ generation hybrids. An exception to this would be breeding a NZWxCali with an Altex buck. But then that is a terminal hybrid as well. But they are still great breeds.

I don't know a lot about Palominos but from what I can tell, they seem like a great meat rabbit. It seems like their size and build is very similar to a NZW. It seems like they'd be a great choice for backyard production too.

 

[AZ Rabbits]

had another question... does anyone have a suggestion / opinions on which is the best breed to not only be a good meat rabbit but is popular to sell for pets and good
for show... I would like to max out my potential cash flow with one breed of rabbit...
of course the more I read the more I am thinking i should broaden out to a Lop or Lionhead for the pet aspect of sales....
anyway,... thanks for the opinions....

In my area, Mini Rex and Mini Lops sell like candy. Not great meat rabbits, but they sell like crazy, particularly to little kids.

For meat rabbits the New Zealands are big sellers. They seem to be the most common, but they are the best sellers, especially if you have a good quality herd. When many people are starting out in backyard meat production, they often start with New Zealand or Californians because of their popularity and reputation.

Another consideration might be a Dutch or Tan or something like that. They are small rabbits but great meat producers (great feed/meat ratios). I believe their litter sizes are not as good as the larger rabbits though. They fit well in the pet size too and would be good for show if you have good ones. I personally haven't raised these so my knowledge is based upon research and second hand experience, not personal first hand experience.

For show, I think it's primarily area dependent. What might be good in one area may not be the best in another. Dunno...

This has been my experience at least. YMMV... Good luck!

 

[Ms. Research]

I was throwing around the same idea as you were. Regarding a meat rabbit that could have a potential of pet/show.

AZ Rabbits gives some good advise.

Another consideration might be a Dutch or Tan or something like that. They are small rabbits but great meat producers (great feed/meat ratios). I believe their litter sizes are not as good as the larger rabbits though. They fit well in the pet size too and would be good for show if you have good ones. I personally haven't raised these so my knowledge is based upon research and second hand experience, not personal first hand experience.

For show, I think it's primarily area dependent. What might be good in one area may not be the best in another. Dunno...

Also you could look into the Florida White. Smaller rabbits, but called "meat bricks".

Ditto on the advise from AZ Heat regarding rabbits for show. It really depends on what area you are at what is popular for showing. Holland Lops are very popular here on the East Coast. I'm looking into them for pet/show. Regarding meat, I plan on getting meat rabbits in the future.

Wishing you luck on your venture.

BTW, thanks AZ Rabbits for sharing your plans and your experience.

K

 

[Snowfie]

I have found the American to be in the top 3 meat rabbits. Personally, I think it's the #1 meat rabbit in the world.

One day I hope to transition to American blue rabbits. They are just so beautiful! I chose my buck primarily because he so closely resembled a Blue American (but a few pounds larger) He's a giant cross mutt of some kind, but he's a great buck and the main reason I'm going to hold off getting Americans for a few years. He's the sweetest fellow and he's got fantastic shoulders. his rear is a little bony, but my God it breaks my heart that I can't breed him for show. He's too big to be a proper American and he's got white specks (can't quite tell if it's agouti or non-extension), but he's just gorgeous. I crossed him with a really good quality Californian doe and she did a great job with her first litter. All Black and REW kits. If I breed one of the black does back to my buck I should also get grey/blue kits out of it...theorhetically.

(sigh)