Raising Meat Rabbits

[Amy Foster]

inbreeding can have awful consequences like wolf teeth low survival bsck legs that are joined the list goes on and on unless you have an extenensive knowledge of genetics i would reconsider i do not buy stock from people that practice this to me it has too many consequences and is morally wrong that is my opinion of course but the consequences are facts!

 

[misbhaven]

I agree totally with you, we have been very careful even with the harlequins/ NZ mixes i only get one sex from one place so i know no interbreeding can occur ever...to much time and effort to have a ltter die etc..

 

[Amy Foster]

Your harlequins are sooooo beautiful!!!

 

[nayeli]

I don't view it as morally wrong, unless its forced. I would never hold an animal down to force mating! Thank you for your response, I was wondering why it would be good for rabbits when its bad for other species. I can see breeding cousins or family members less closely related but I will definately take your advice on that! I now feel like reading Storey's was a waste of time.

 

[starchicky]

I'll be breeding for meat though, so I just want to ensure I'm breeding to get the best meat.

That's probably why the book recommends purebreds, it's one way to try and insure you get the meat ratio you want....but I would think if it's just for you and your family you'll get plenty of meat from large mixed breeds

 

[Amy Foster]

When you put a doe with a buck that is forced mating a buck will mate anything you put in there even another buck!

 

[Bunnylady]

these 2 are 3 month old harlequin does

I don't know who told you that those two are Harlequins, but as a longtime Harlequin breeder, I can tell you that they are NOT purebreds. While a lot of Harlies show some of the Dutch markings (a little bit of white on the nose or feet) any white on a Japanese Harlequin is a DQ, so it is something bred away from. Those two look suspiciously like Harlequin patterned (tricolor) Dutch rabbits, even to having ears like a Dutch (Harlequins have large ears).

 

[misbhaven]

Your harlequins are sooooo beautiful!!!

Thank you!! their markings remind me of a calico cat... I got those for $7.50 each from a farm..i took me son and he is 8 he was trying to make me feel guilty that day he made a point to say they were destined for breeding and if they didn't breed then the stew pot..the lady just laughed she raises feeder cattle, and the rabbits to eat and said I don't get attached to anything that i can make a meal of.

 

[misbhaven]

I don't know who told you that those two are Harlequins, but as a longtime Harlequin breeder, I can tell you that they are NOT purebreds. While a lot of Harlies show some of the Dutch markings (a little bit of white on the nose or feet) any white on a Japanese Harlequin is a DQ, so it is something bred away from. Those two look suspiciously like Harlequin patterned (tricolor) Dutch rabbits, even to having ears like a Dutch (Harlequins have large ears).

they are mutts half NZ i did state that somewhere....so it is out of habit more than anything we have a 14 yr old and a soon to be 9 yr old they feed them and check water..etc

 

[nayeli]

Amy, I disagree. Female rabbits can fight or run. They often choose to mate, putting their tale up.