2. Rabbits By: Miss Crump AGR 102 Unit D

3. Objectives Identify characteristics of the major rabbit breeds Identify characteristics of the major rabbit breeds Describe uses of the major rabbit breeds Describe uses of the major rabbit breeds Recognize various methods of selecting rabbits Recognize various methods of selecting rabbits Discuss the breeding and reproduction of rabbits Discuss the breeding and reproduction of rabbits

4. Definitions Adult - Any fully developed, mature rabbit of breeding age. Adult - Any fully developed, mature rabbit of breeding age. Breed - A class of domestic rabbit which reproduces itself with distinctive characteristics, such as fur, markings, shape, and size. A breed may be divided into varieties which are generally identified by color Breed - A class of domestic rabbit which reproduces itself with distinctive characteristics, such as fur, markings, shape, and size. A breed may be divided into varieties which are generally identified by color

5. Definitions Buck - Male rabbit Buck - Male rabbit Doe - Female rabbit Doe - Female rabbit Sire – The father of a rabbit Sire – The father of a rabbit Dam - The mother of a rabbit Dam - The mother of a rabbit Senior - Animals over 6 months of age. Senior - Animals over 6 months of age. Junior - A show term refers to a rabbit under 6 months of age Junior - A show term refers to a rabbit under 6 months of age

6. Definitions Mating - Breeding a doe to a buck Mating - Breeding a doe to a buck Gestation - The time between mating and kindling of a doe Gestation - The time between mating and kindling of a doe Kindling - Giving birth Kindling - Giving birth Litter - Young rabbits being raised by a doe Litter - Young rabbits being raised by a doe Weaning - The separation of young from the doe. Ending the lactating and nursing period Weaning - The separation of young from the doe. Ending the lactating and nursing period

7. Types of Classes 4 Class 4 Class –Smaller rabbits are considered 4 class because they have a junior and senior, buck and doe class 6 Class 6 Class –Larger rabbits are 6 class because they are broken down into three age groups junior, 6-8 months, and seniors.

8. Type of Rabbits There are 5 general types of rabbits:There are 5 general types of rabbits: Semi-Arch – Animals are longer in body & have a well defined rise starting at or near the back of the shoulders, & continuing to round over the back and hips to the base of the tail.Semi-Arch – Animals are longer in body & have a well defined rise starting at or near the back of the shoulders, & continuing to round over the back and hips to the base of the tail. 5 Breeds5 Breeds Compact – Animals are lighter in weight & shorter in body length than animals of commercial type.Compact – Animals are lighter in weight & shorter in body length than animals of commercial type. 15 Breeds15 Breeds

9. Types of Rabbits Full Arch – Animals are to have an arch starting at the nape of the neck and continuing in a smooth, unbroken line over the shoulders, loin, hips & finishing by rounding to the base of the tail.Full Arch – Animals are to have an arch starting at the nape of the neck and continuing in a smooth, unbroken line over the shoulders, loin, hips & finishing by rounding to the base of the tail. 6 Breeds6 Breeds Commercial – Animals are of medium length, with depth of body equaling width of body throughout.Commercial – Animals are of medium length, with depth of body equaling width of body throughout. 18 Breeds18 Breeds Cylindrical – Animals are to show a straight top line with no arch or rise.Cylindrical – Animals are to show a straight top line with no arch or rise. 1 Breed1 Breed

10. Semi-Arch Type Giant Chinchilla Giant Chinchilla –Colors  The color is to resemble a real chinchilla. The undercolor is to be dark slate blue at the base, intermediate portion a light pearl. Top color is to be as light as possible with black ticking.  The chest color is to be light pearl with darker ticking Weights Weights –Does:  Junior: 4.5 – 9 lbs  6-8: < 11 lbs  Senior: > 10 lbs –Bucks  Junior 4.5 – 9 lbs  6-8 - < 10 lbs  Senior: > 9 lbs

11. Semi Arch Type English Lop English Lop –Characteristics  Ears: Their ears are to be at least 21 inches long. –Groups  Agouti, Broken, Self, Shaded, Ticked, Wide Band Weights Weights –Does: 10 pounds and over –Bucks:9 pounds and over

12. Semi-Arch Type Flemish Giant Flemish Giant –Varieties  Black, blue, fawn, light gray, sandy, steel gray, white –Weight  Junior Buck & Doe: Minimum 6.5 lbs  Senior Doe: 14 lbs and over  Senior Buck: 13 lbs and over

13. Compact Type Mini Rex Mini Rex Characteristics Characteristics –Has extremely dense & straight fur, it is to feel plush like & have a lustrous appearance. Varieties Varieties –Black, Blue, Blue Eyed White, Broken Group, Castor, Chinchilla, Chocolate, Himalayan, Lilac, Lynx, Opal, Red, Seal, Tortoise, & White Weights Weights –Junior bucks & does: 2 – 3 ¾ lbs –Senior Does: 3 ¼ - 4 ½ lbs –Senior Bucks: 3 – 4 ¼

14. Compact Type Dutch Dutch –Characteristic  These rabbits all have a distinct white stripe around the shoulder and front feet.  Also, these rabbits have specific markings on the head, feet, and under side. –Varieties  Black, blue, chocolate, gray, steel, tortoise Weights Weights –Junior bucks & does: Minimum 1 ¾ lbs –Senior bucks & does: 3 ½ - 5 ½ lbs

15. Compact Type Holland Lop Holland Lop Characteristics Characteristics –Short, lopped ears Color Groups Color Groups –Agouti, Broken, Pointed White, Self, Shaded, Tan Pattern, Ticked, Wide Band Weights Weights –Maximum weight is 4 pounds

16. Compact Type Netherland Dwarf Netherland Dwarf –Characteristics  Ears must be shorter than 2 ½ inches  Is a very small compact rabbit –Groups  Self, Shaded, Agouti, Tan Pattern, Any other Variety Weight Weight –Jr. Bucks & Does – 1 – 2 lbs –Sr. Bucks & Does – not over 2 ½ lbs.

17. Full Arch Type Checkered Giant Checkered Giant –Characteristics  These rabbits should be shown with as little handling as possible.  Has very distinct markings. Has a stripe on its back, dark ears, nose, eye circles, and spots on the side of the body. –Colors  Black, blue Weights Weights –Jr. Bucks & Does – Min. 6 pounds –Sr. Bucks – Min. 12 lbs –Sr. Does – Min. 11 lbs

18. Full Arch Type Britannia Petite Britannia Petite –Characteristics  This small rabbits should be judged in an alert stance, up on its toes, to show off its fully arched body. –Varieties  Black, black otter, chestnut agouti, ruby eyed white, sable marten Weights Weights –Jr. Bucks & Does – Min. 1 ¼ lbs –Sr. Bucks & Does – Max. 2 ½ lbs

19. Commercial Type Palomino Palomino –Varieties  Golden, Lynx –Weights  Jr. Doe: 4 – 8 ½ lbs  Jr. Buck: 4 – 8 lbs  6-8 Doe: Max. 9 ½ lbs  6-8 Buck: Max. 9 lbs  Sr. Doe: 9-11 lbs  Sr. Buck: 8-10 lbs

20. Commercial Type Californian Californian  Color & Markings  Nose, ears, feet & tail are to be as black as possible  Body color is to be pure white  Eyes are to be pink  Eye stains or colored spots confined to dewlap are permissible on doe Weights Weights –Jr. Doe: 5 ½ - 8 ½ –Jr. Buck: 5 ½ - 8 –6-8 Doe: Max. 9 ½ –6-8 Buck: Max. 9 –Sr. Doe: 8 ½ - 10 ½ –Sr. Buck: 8 - 10

21. Commercial Type Rex Rex –Characteristics – Fur is to be extremely dense. Fur is to be of good body and plush like effect, offering a distinct springy resistance to the touch. –Varieties:  Black, black otter, blue, broken group, californian, castor, chinchilla, chocolate, lilac, lynx, opal, red, sable, seal, white Weights Weights –Jr. Does – 4 – 8 ½ lbs. –Jr. Bucks – 4 – 8 lbs. –Sr. Does – 8 – 10 ½ lbs. –Sr. Bucks – 7 ½ - 9 ½ lbs.

22. Commercial Type New Zealand New Zealand  Colors  Black – color is to be a uniform, jet black throughout. Undercolor is to be dark slate blue. Eyes are to be dark brown.  Red – Color is to be a bright reddish sorrel with the belly color somewhat lighter in shade. Eyes are to be brown.  White – Color is to be pure white with pink eyes. Weights Weights –Jr. Bucks & Does – 4 ½ - 9 lbs –6/8 Does – not over 11 lbs –6/8 Bucks – not over 10 lbs –Sr. Does – 10 – 12 lbs –Sr. Bucks – 9 – 11 lbs

23. Commercial Type Satin Satin –Characteristics – The ideal fur should be silky, fine and very dense to the touch, due to a soft, very dense undercoat. –Varieties:  Black, blue, broken group, californian, chinchilla, chocolate, copper, otter, red siamese, white Weights Weights –Jr. Does – 4 – 8 ½ lbs. –Jr. Bucks – 4 – 8 lbs. –6/8 Does – not over 9 ½ lbs –6/8 Bucks – not over 9 lbs –Sr. Does – 9 – 11 lbs –Sr. Bucks – 8 ½ - 10 ½ lbs

24. Cylindrical Type Himalayan Himalayan Characteristics:Characteristics: Body is to be long, narrow and cylindrical.Body is to be long, narrow and cylindrical. Varieties:Varieties: Black, blue, chocolate, lilacBlack, blue, chocolate, lilac Weights: Weights: –Jr. Bucks & Does: Min. weight 1 ¼ lbs –Sr. Bucks & Does: 2 ½ - 4 ½ lbs