Almost black Californian kits?

[Joe n TN]

My papered Californians, that have been bred together before, produced three kits that almost looke black. The last litter between these two didn't have a single one that looks like these do.

I'll try and get some pictures, but has anyone had this happen before? The fur is white, but the skin looks black/blue.

Joe

 

[Dood]

I have never bred rabbits with the Himalayan gene but it is temperature dependent. The ears, nose, feet and tail are dark due to those areas being colder. I think your kits may be a bit chilly, causing melanin to travel to the area, once they get fur it may come in darker but eventually they will look like regular Cali's

 

[majorv]

I'd be interested to see the pics. We used to raise Californians and I also had Himalayans. A couple of our Cal kits were born with gray fur (which clears up later) but never black & blue skin. Could it be trauma from birthing or possibly being stepped on?

 

[Peach]

Pedigrees are only as honest as the people that wrote them. Something to consider

 

[LindseysWoolies]

They are probably just chilled. when pointed babies get chilled their fur grows in dark but then molts out to the normal californian color. They normally have the best points.

 

[SatinsRule]

Californians are basically black rabbits to begin with from a genetic standpoint. They have a temperature sensitive gene which, during colder months of the year, cause their point color to become darkest, and if it's cold enough, the rest of their bodies will start to turn black, too.

Additionally, just about any cross you do with a californian involving a solid colored mate will yield at least a few black offspring, and most often, an all-black litter.

I doubt there is anything wrong with the rabbits.