adding a little something to the mix

[yolosenger]

Ok so I may be getting a bit ahead of myself but I have nz whites, only nz whites and after a bit,of searching I've found some nice standard rex and Californians around.

What are people's experience putting nz white bucks over these breeds, and what are your thoughts on these crosses in regard to meat production?

Also Flemish giant's?
I hear the bone to meat ratio in flemishs can be rubbish for fryers but what about a Flemish nzw cross?

 

[Ramjet]

No idea on the FG's or their crosses.

I absolutely love the Rex coat. Rex usually have a very good loin too.

I've had pretty solid results in a first generation cross of a black NZ/Altex doe and a chocolate Rex buck. They grew like weeds , those that were butchered dressed out very well.
I kept one doe blue from the first litter , she's now just over a year old and bred back to her sire produced 8 in her first litter ~18 days ago.
I had a pure Rex litter from the same buck and a very nice doe who are one day older but are quite a bit behind these NZ/Altex/Rex crosses in size while they also they seem to be much more mature , actively out of the nest while the pure Rex aren't doing much roaming around.

Originally the idea behind this cross was to improve the shoulders of my Rex herd and add black to the palette , both of which appear to have been delivered as they are little meat bricks with broad shoulders and I did get one black with Rex fur that I will likely be keeping.
I wasn't expecting to get the size and growth rate improvements I've seen in the first two generations but am thrilled with the results.
The first generation doe is a little over 13lbs which is pretty shocking considering her sire is a bit over 8 and her dam about 9 and 3/4. It appears thus far that she has passed some of the size / growth rate traits of the NZ & Altex on to her offspring considering they're outpacing the older litter from a fantastic mother.

My only concern at this point is stray guard hairs in this second generation and beyond but I'll have to wait to see how their coats are as they mature.

 

[Celice]

love my NZ/Rex crosses. good meat rabbits in all.

Flemish Giants are very SLOW growers and so is their offspring no matter what you cross them with, good rabbits if you don't mind the wait.

 

[akane]

Since standard rex are rarely used for meat anymore and show breeders aren't as strict about production make sure you ask questions like litter sizes and the frequency they breed with what results. Californians should be good but again just make sure they have the ability to produce good meat litters. Sometimes show lines of even normally good meat breeds can have good characteristics bred out of them.

I would not add any giant breed to the mix. I used a checkered x nz cross then paired to a good meat breed for heavier bone on dog food rabbits. Even diluted to 1/4th of the mix it had an impact. They did have great large litters though. It just takes more food and longer growth period to get the same meat from them. Not cost effective.

 

[katiebear]

My mutts are half F.G. and yes they do eat alot..but by 8 weeks they are 5 to 6 lbs. By 10 to 12 they reach 8 or 9 lbs. Adult weight is about 20 lbs.
They are American chin X Flemish giant. I really don't think the meat to bone ratio is bad at all..with one bun I can feed about 8. My family is 5 big eaters. I always have left overs. I don't butcher at 8 weeks because I bake, roast or crockpot them. Family doesn't care for fried rabbit...
Get nice large litters...smallest is 6 usually 8 to 11.