What kind of rabbit is this?

[chinbunny]

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Oh, wow, is this for real? Isn't he on ARBA's standards committee? Some of my fellow Harlequin breeders will begin to bristle and bare their teeth at the mere mention of the man's name; he seems to have declared war on the Harlequin years ago. I'm the first to admit that Harlies do have their problems, but let's not throw the baby out with the bathwater!

I agree with chinbunny that the rabbit in question looks more the size of the standard chin, also that it has a buck-ish look about it. He also has a very cranky, suspicious expression in the pics, if he doesn't get over that, I wouldn't breed him, no matter how rare the breed. Of course, it sounds like his history gives him every right to be cranky and suspicious, so hopefully he'll settle down once he gets settled in. I hope he does, for everyone's sakes. I've dealt with a few perpetually cranky rabbits, and even a couple of genuinely vicious ones, and they are no fun. Best of luck with him!

Doesn'tn't sound like her bit her. Sounds like he may have been scared from not being handled? Best thing to do is to give him some time to settle down. If he is skittish, it may take him some time to get used to being handled.

Yes I am serious. He's not a favorite with the old chin breeders either. Most of us working purebred lines refuse to buy from him. I will tell you what, I went to nationals in 2007. The minute I walked in the room with my rabbits, I had several people approach me to tell me that they noticed that I had chins, and don't buy from Tex. I had already known about it anyhow. Some of the rabbits he bred and won with at nationals were half florida white, or half silver martin. But, I am on eof a handful that has beaten him for best of breed at nationals. Took a little buck back in 2005 that cleaned house in the open class.

 

[chinbunny]

Also, if you do breed, take the babies to some rabbit shows and show them!

 

[ruth]

Thanks alll - wow, who knew so much information was out there for the asking.

An update - I got him, and it is a him, out of his cage today to examine him and he is a well endowed buck. Why the family that's owned him since last Easter thought it was a she is beyond me. He was a bit p.o'd about being handled. I had to pull him out of the cage, hold his front legs together and his back legs together, just to handle him and check his bottom. He didn't bite me the other day but he did scratch me up pretty good. In his defense, he was in a strange environment, has not been handled before, and there were all my dogs standing around trying to get a look.

Right now I have him in the large, fenced Marans run. He seems to really enjoy it. The first thing he did was to dig a hole in the soft damp dirt and he's been going in and out of their coop. They all came in from freeranging to see what was going on so he's had lots of company and he and the hens and roos seem to be getting along just fine. I've taken him a few blackberry vines, since he was nibbling on some through the fence and a couple of greens from my garden, but the chickens ate those before he did. I haven't had time to do a lot of research on raising rabbits but from what I remember about the ones I had when I was young, and the one I had while in college, and the one my children had when they were young is that you shouldn't feed them too many greens/grass. The guy did leave a whole bag of rabbit feed though. In any event, he seems to be much calmer. He lets me approach him and he comes to sniff and nibble what I'm offering. I think he will settle down and be just fine. Maybe in time, he can have the run of the farm. Again, all rabbits I've ever owned were not kept in a cage and were treated and acted just like the cats and dogs. My 6 dogs and 3 cats all coexist with my 200 freeranging/uncaged chickens, 40 ducks, peacocks, guineas, free roaming goats and their babies so what's a rabbit in the mix? For now, he will get to stay in the large fenced runs and coop and I'll work with him each day to get him tame. I wanted to weigh him but I'll do that later but I don't think he's 11 pounds, more like 6 or 7 but I'm guessing - so maybe he is a Standard. I'm going to try and find out where he came from. It was my understanding that someone around here, on another plantation, breeds and sells them - or at least was.

 

[chinbunny]

You'll want to give him his own space(see some of the chicken/rabbit debate threads). The reason being they can pass some diseases back and forth. It woul dbe best anyhow. Esp if you are looking to socailize him. Just give him time. Try giving him some treats when you get in the cage with him. He's probably just scared. Since he hasn't been handled, it may take him some time to get over it. Being patient is the best thing. be gentle. Move slow,and see if he warms up to you on his own. I had a doe that i got once that was crazy wild from not being handled. She would bounce off the cage the minute you walked into the barn. I finally gave up and let her have her space. She came around on her own, after several months, and finally became friendly. Sadly a pack of dogs got her shortly after.

She was a very sweet rabbit. Made me sad and agry after all the work I had to do with her.

Id also be hesitant about letting him run free like that. Free roaming rabbits is not a good thing. Lots of predators out there that can pick them off9stray dogs, cats, hawks, coyotes, etc). Plus is some areas it would be considered creul. If someone were to call animal control about it, there is a chance you could be in a lot of trouble. Basically its the same as turning them loose.

 

[Slywoody]

Ruth, you are correct about giving him too many greens if he's not used to it. He may get the squirts. At the first sign, feed hin oats. That will dry him up. A rabbit with the squirts won't last long.

At one time yrs ago

i had over a 1,000 rabbits so, i have had a little experience with them.

I generally have a lot of typo's too,,,,,,,, lol