Another color question

[user 8990]

Good question. I haven't found anything detailed currently in print. I've spent the last two years working on an illustrated version, it's almost done now, just working on the final charts for the appendix. Robinson's book on rabbit genetics is available at Rabbitcolors - Literature I have found this resource fascinating, as sometimes his experience is at variance with the experts of the day. I find that still to be true. So many hard-and-fast genetic rules, yet so many things that say there is more at work than just the simple ABCs of genetics. I'm no expert, but I've read all I could find. Glenna Huffman's spiral bound genetics book, "Rabbit Coat Color Genetics" has been praised, but it was self-published and is out of print. I've gotten a few excerpts from it, but couldn't find a real copy to read.

Rabbit Genetics | The Nature Trail has some excellent rabbit genetics pages. Green Barn Farm also has some very helpful genetics pages-- Holland Lop Colors: Agouti will get you to their site. Mouse over the genetics tab at the top of the page for some helpful color charts.

Wow! Thank you for this!! So much to learn! I am so excited!

 

[user 8990]

I think Ellyn Eddy's "ABC - About Bunny Colors" is a fantastic resource for both beginners and those that have spent a lot of time working with rabbit coat color genetics. Last I checked you can get it on Amazon, rabbitsmarties.com or allthingsbunnies.com. It starts with basic Mendelian genetic inheritance and an intro to Punnet Square analysis, then covers the genetic codes for most rabbit coat colors. It doesn't get too much into trickier areas like effects of modifiers, but it really does a nice job of helping you figure out the basic functions and interactions of the most common color genes. It is a simple comb-bound booklet that has lots of color photos (though they're not the highest quality/resolution because of the printing), and leans more toward being a working rabbit breeder's guide than a theoretical one. But even if you want to learn more about genetics than just what applies to rabbit coat colors, Eddy's book gives you the basic principles and then uses coat color as a great example of how to apply those basic principles. I'd highly recommend it before trying Glenna Huffman's book, which I have but is definitely more theoretical and also directed squarely at rabbit coat colors (and which I use far less than "ABC" even though I've been working in genetics since, um, well let's say the last century, haha).
I agree with judymac that Holland Lop Colors is a great site for info coat colors in normal fur. Rabbit Genetics | The Nature Trail site offers a good basic intro but doesn't have many reference photos. Personally, I really like Mini Rex Color Guide, which I probably use the most; it has both genetic codes and phenomenal color photos, especially useful in combination with GBFarm's page, since colors can look so different in normal vs rex coats. It's also a good resource in combination with "ABC" since the photos are better.

Excellent!! Thank you so very much for these links and information. Looks like we’re getting some new books..!

 

[user 8990]

Two weeks old! Is it time to start giving them some sprinkles of pellets in the box? They are so chubby and sweet.

 

[MsTemeraire]

Robinson's book on rabbit genetics is available at Rabbitcolors - Literature I have found this resource fascinating, as sometimes his experience is at variance with the experts of the day.

Robinson's 'Colour Inheritance in Small Livestock' is still in print, although the second edition has a couple of typos, notably using e(i) instead of e(j) for Harlequin.

 

[MsTemeraire]

Two weeks old! Is it time to start giving them some sprinkles of pellets in the box?

They will be starting to chew the strands of hay in the nest, which is normal. I'd wait until they are out of the nest (which won't be long now) before giving them anything. The development of the digestive system in rabbits is such a finely tuned and delicate thing, you don't want to risk interrupting it.

 

[user 8990]

They will be starting to chew the strands of hay in the nest, which is normal. I'd wait until they are out of the nest (which won't be long now) before giving them anything. The development of the digestive system in rabbits is such a finely tuned and delicate thing, you don't want to risk interrupting it.

Probably best to err on the side of caution then. I definitely don’t want to disturb the balance of their systems. They are all looking so healthy so far. Mama has been feeding them so well!
I’ve got some cage and box cleaning to do so maybe I’ll freshen up the nesting box again too.