Freeholder
This too shall pass.
I'm going to look at some rabbits in a couple of days, with the intention of buying two breeding pairs (they are on Craigslist, but lots of pictures, and the cages look clean and the rabbits appear to all be healthy and good quality). She has three different breeds that I'm undecided between, as I haven't had any of them before. (Actually, she also has Giant Chinchillas and some Flemish Giant crosses, but I don't want those -- too big, grow too slowly, and don't have the best meat-to-bone ratios.) She's got Rex's, Chinchillas (American, I think, though I would consider the smaller Standard Chins), and Californians. I have experience with Satins and Checkered Giants, New Zealand Whites, Silver Fox's, and lots of mutt rabbits (in my experience, you are better off with purebreds when it comes to rabbits, unless you have lots of room, can raise lots of animals, and do a lot of culling until you get what you want). But I've never had the breeds she's got.
Initially, I was inclined towards the Chinchillas. I think they are pretty, they are good meat rabbits, have a good reputation for mothering and for good temperament (I hate getting scratched every time I need to handle a rabbit), and are fairly fast to grow. Californians have good meat qualities, but can be similar to NZW's in temperament (high-strung). Rex's are a little bit smaller, maybe, which is not necessarily a bad thing for me -- easier to handle. I'm wondering if anyone knows whether the Rex coat might be an advantage in our climate (south-central KY, so hot and humid summers, winters can get somewhat cold). Any other thoughts on the different breeds?
Kathleen
Initially, I was inclined towards the Chinchillas. I think they are pretty, they are good meat rabbits, have a good reputation for mothering and for good temperament (I hate getting scratched every time I need to handle a rabbit), and are fairly fast to grow. Californians have good meat qualities, but can be similar to NZW's in temperament (high-strung). Rex's are a little bit smaller, maybe, which is not necessarily a bad thing for me -- easier to handle. I'm wondering if anyone knows whether the Rex coat might be an advantage in our climate (south-central KY, so hot and humid summers, winters can get somewhat cold). Any other thoughts on the different breeds?
Kathleen