Colored pelts in meat rabbits?

[TheOtherHorse]

I am new to breeding meat rabbits, just a small backyard hobby to fill our own freezer. I would like to use the pelts for various things, and thought it would be fun to have multi colored pelts. Of course, breeding choices need to be made primarily to increase meat production, but can you add in some color for fun without losing function?

The buck we got is a Californian (white with gray nose/ears). We already have one plain white doe. I would like to get another doe ... what breed would be a good choice to get colorful kits when crossed with a Californian, without losing the desirable meat qualities?

 

[Dood]

A black New Zealand from a bloodline with a focus on meat production and not just showing.

You should get blacks and possibly chestnut, gold tipped steel, himilayan (your bucks colour) or red eyed white (your does colour)

Can you tell us if the underside of your bucks tail is white? If it is then you will certainly get chestnuts.

 

[GBov]

Colored New Zealands are nice, blue, black,red, steel and brokens. I love mine but am going to add some Rex as well because we love that plush fur and all the colors they come in. My daughter sleeps with the one rex fur we have tanned so far.

 

[JolieLapinFarms]

I like the NZR and Cal cross. You get some pretty steels that way. I'm getting some rex from a friend on here pretty soon though! I just have to arrange transport! Rex fur is absolutely lovely, and there are so many different colors!

 

[ottersatin]

Satins make a GREAT Meat Rabbit
and they have endless colors.
Of course I may be just a little
Biased on the Breed choice.
Ottersatin. ldtimer:

 

[3mina]

I raise Rex for meat, I get lovely coloured pelts as a bonus
Be aware though that if you want pelts the rabbits will be older when you process because eight- twelve week old pelts are too thin to be useful

 

[TheOtherHorse]

Thanks for all the info. I think we'll add a black New Zealand buck at some point. We'll probably use the buck we have for now, as we are learning. I had thought about adding a little bit of Satin or Rex, like maybe 1 doe, to see how they turn out. Would we be sacrificing size or speed of growth if we get away from Cali/New Zealand?

I raise Rex for meat, I get lovely coloured pelts as a bonus
Be aware though that if you want pelts the rabbits will be older when you process because eight- twelve week old pelts are too thin to be useful

How old should they be when processed if you want the pelts?


Another question, we just added another Cali mix, the gray ears are kind of mottled/dappled... what causes that coloring?

Thank you!

 

[ottersatin]

I had thought about adding a little bit of Satin or Rex, like maybe 1 doe, to see how they turn out. Would we be sacrificing size or speed of growth if we get away from Cali/New Zealand?

NO, of course not! Satins runabout the same size as NZ or Cali's.
and they can have large litters. Ive had Does raise 12 with nary a problem.
It all depends on their care and feeding.
Ottersatin. ldtimer:

 

[skysthelimit]

The Rex might, if you don't get them from the right breeder. Growing the coat slows down growth.

The best time to take a Rex coat is between 5-7 mos. Think roasters not fryers.

 

[mystang89]

If you like black mixed with silver threads the Silver Fox's are excellent for their fur and for their meat. Plus they are very well mannered rabbits. Other than that, like some others were saying, you have different colors of NZW's and then the Californians.

 

[DarayTala]

I dont tan my own pelts yet, but I am a leatherworker by trade. You can use younger pelts if you want, they are just thinner so you need to be a little gentler when tanning them. Its true the coat is best from a 5-7 month old rabbit who has gone throufh their first moult and is procesed in winter when their coat is the thickest, but that doesnt mean other pelts are trash. If you skin the rabbit and like the feel of the pelt, save it to tan, regardless of age, just remember the age so you know if you need to be a bit more careful with it. If you dont want to save a pelt, you can give it to your dogs if you have any, mine love them. Good luck!

 

[mountainrabbits]

I dont tan my own pelts yet, but I am a leatherworker by trade. You can use younger pelts if you want, they are just thinner so you need to be a little gentler when tanning them. Its true the coat is best from a 5-7 month old rabbit who has gone throufh their first moult and is procesed in winter when their coat is the thickest, but that doesnt mean other pelts are trash. If you skin the rabbit and like the feel of the pelt, save it to tan, regardless of age, just remember the age so you know if you need to be a bit more careful with it. If you dont want to save a pelt, you can give it to your dogs if you have any, mine love them. Good luck!

That is really good to know! So many people have told me it is pointless. Is there a preffered or better method for tanning fryers pelts?

 

[GBov]

I dont tan my own pelts yet, but I am a leatherworker by trade. You can use younger pelts if you want, they are just thinner so you need to be a little gentler when tanning them. Its true the coat is best from a 5-7 month old rabbit who has gone throufh their first moult and is procesed in winter when their coat is the thickest, but that doesnt mean other pelts are trash. If you skin the rabbit and like the feel of the pelt, save it to tan, regardless of age, just remember the age so you know if you need to be a bit more careful with it. If you dont want to save a pelt, you can give it to your dogs if you have any, mine love them. Good luck!

I brain tan my fryer pelts if I have time and like the color. They do take more gentle stretching but they come out soft and nice. Did have one litter that were well small for their ages that I processed and their hides ripped to pieces when I was skinning, just tore like tissue paper. We were disappointed as the kids were going to get to try tanning one each.

That is really good to know! So many people have told me it is pointless. Is there a preffered or better method for tanning fryers pelts?

 

[PSFAngoras]

If your wanting a rex doe keep in.mind that that coat trait is recessive, and it would take a bit of work and line breeding before you see that coat again in your kits. Also they grow SLOW. I thought mine were growing fast, but hat screeched to a halt when they weaned. I'm getting rid of my rex and getting some champagne d'Argents. Can't deal with all the other problems the rex have too. If your bound and determined for rex, just make sure your getting into good lines. They're apparently hard to find, but its the only way you'll get anywhere with them.

 

[3mina]

If you're looking at Rex make sure to let the breeder know what you want them for and ask about growth rates.
Mine are making 4 lb(ish) at about 10 weeks and since I don't need a 3 lb carcass that's good enough for me

 

[skysthelimit]

It's not pointless, just takes more care. Watch when you stretch it. And bucks will be better at any age than does for tanning.

 

[GBov]

It's not pointless, just takes more care. Watch when you stretch it. And bucks will be better at any age than does for tanning.

I find that if I let young hides dry a little bit more than older ones they rip less.