Florida Whites

[3mina]

I'm just getting back into rabbits after a long hiatus, I've got some rather nice Rexs I got from a local breeder. I have three castors,one blue, one chin, and two blacks (one with silver trim & one with tan trim). I want to find some Californians and Satins eventually, I just loved them when I had them before. I also want to add a small breed to the barn and I'm kind of torn between Florida Whites and Mini Satins. I breed primarily for meat & just because I really enjoy rabbits.
Any information both these breeds would be appreciated.

 

[6riversfarms]

Im no expert but I have some 10 to 11 week old Florida Whites that are hard as a rock. They are like little blocks of muscle. I suspect that what I have heard about them having one of the best dressouts of any breed is going to be true. I cant wait until they are old enough to breed so I can start finding out. I have also read that a New Zealand buck mated with a Florida White doe makes a lot of meat in a smaller cage. The same may be true when crossed with a Californian.

 

[3mina]

That's exactly what I need to know since I'm lacking a little space. Time to start looking since I think it's going to take a long while to find Florida Whites in Back of Nowhere, Alberta.
The last time I did this I was in BC & I was a touch spoiled since I readily found anything I read about. It was a nasty shock to find I had to order from Ontario to get cages or feeders that weren't designed for pets.
Have to check on the show schedule for the province as well I think

 

[reereechickens]

What are the temperaments like with the Florida Whites?

 

[6riversfarms]

So far all three of the does are sweethearts. They are at the cage door ready for petting almost everytime i go to the barn. The buck is not mean at all but he acts like he prefers to be left alone more than the does. I will attach some pics when I get in the house.

 

[reereechickens]

So far all three of the does are sweethearts. They are at the cage door ready for petting almost everytime i go to the barn. The buck is not mean at all but he acts like he prefers to be left alone more than the does. I will attach some pics when I get in the house.

Yay! I can't wait to see them! I want them for meat and the fact that I'm short(5') and would like an easy to handle solid meat rabbit. opcorn:

 

[6riversfarms]

Here are the pics of my Florida Whites:

Here is Monarch the man of the bunch:



Here is Clover wondering why I have the iphone in my hand instead of carrot tops:



And here is Regina and Jubillee:

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Wow, Rivers, they are a solid looking bunch!

I feel an attack of Rabbitosis Aquireosis coming on.

:bunnyhop:

 

[reereechickens]

Wow! You can really see their shoulders and butt makes great meat buns! Now I have to find some for sale around NC. The next ARBA rabbit show is in July is that a great place to find some?

 

[6riversfarms]

Wow! You can really see their shoulders and butt makes great meat buns! Now I have to find some for sale around NC. The next ARBA rabbit show is in July is that a great place to find some?

I have yet to be to a rabbit show so I am not sure. I would think that would be a fine place to start. I was lucky enough to have a breeder with decent stock 30 miles from home.

 

[reereechickens]

Wow, Rivers, they are a solid looking bunch!

I feel an attack of Rabbitosis Aquireosis coming on.

:bunnyhop:

:lol: Yes! I'm getting some symtoms for sure! I've contacted 2 breeders so now I have to wait for them to contact me back. opcorn:

 

[3mina]

Rabbitosis Aquirosis for sure, I went searching tonight and was very pleasantly surprised to find a breeder/judge very close to me so it looks like I need to do some weighing in the barn to see who's going to freezer camp so I can make some room for new buns.

The next rabbit show in our area is the Canada Day long weekend so guess where I'm going

I have to keep reminding myself Only 3 Only 3 Only 3

 

[Honorine]

Forget the Mini Satans, their nasty. Floridas on average don't have a lot of personality but their not aggressive, and I've had a few that were very sweet. I've raised them for 5-6 years, very good dress out, and we kick butt in the meat pen classes at the county fair every year against much larger breeds. Average weight is 3 and a half pounds at 10 weeks, but I've had monsters at 4 and a half as well. Depends on litter size. Their very thrifty too, once they put weight on they keep it on, do well on 16% and their not pigs, feed conversion is great. Excellant meat breed for a small producer. Dutch can be comparable, in fact Dutch were used to develop FW's. But you have to watch what lines the Dutch come from, some are better for meat production than others.

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Forget the Mini Satans, their nasty.

Freudian slip? :twisted: :lol:

I am interested in Satins, but there are very few in CA. Lots of minis though. They look too small to be worth the time to butcher, but I am glad to know they can be devils- that will stave off my Rabbitosis Aquireosis!

 

[Honorine]

I have seen Mini Satins attack judges, horrid things, the REW's seem to be the nastiest, other colors not as bad. Some lines of Mini Satins were developed using Florida Whites and have better meat development and production qualities, still not worth it based on temperament. Satin anything has been called satan's for as long as I can remember, and are cranky in general. Satin Angoras tend to be jerks, seen that with my own eyes, but the Mini Satins are the worst. Of course individuals will vary.

 

[reereechickens]

Forget the Mini Satans, their nasty. Floridas on average don't have a lot of personality but their not aggressive, and I've had a few that were very sweet. I've raised them for 5-6 years, very good dress out, and we kick butt in the meat pen classes at the county fair every year against much larger breeds. Average weight is 3 and a half pounds at 10 weeks, but I've had monsters at 4 and a half as well. Depends on litter size. Their very thrifty too, once they put weight on they keep it on, do well on 16% and their not pigs, feed conversion is great. Excellant meat breed for a small producer. Dutch can be comparable, in fact Dutch were used to develop FW's. But you have to watch what lines the Dutch come from, some are better for meat production than others.

Thanks for the info! I WAS thinking of the mini satans and Dutch also. 3mina, I hope you find what you want at the show!

 

[3mina]

I don't really HAVE to go to the show to get them since the breeder is quite close, only about a hour each way, and if I go directly to the breeder I can get going right away.

Yes, out here, for rabbits, a two hour trip is close. We're not thickly populated at this end of the country once you get out of the cities (both of them )

I'm pretty lucky as well, work is pretty flexible so I can usually take time whenever I need to.

__________ Wed Jun 13, 2012 12:37 am __________

I just emailed the breeder tonight and I may have a trio in the works


:bunnyhop: ancake: :bunnyhop:

 

[yanni]

Florida Whites are great rabbits! I am very glad I went with that breed. They are easy to maintain, pleasant and have a nice dress out. Some are real snuggle bunnies
I also have mini satins. They can be quite nasty. They are not a rabbit for children. The ones that are over the top don't stick around long. Some are stand offish, but pleasant enough. I have one doe that I fostered to a mini rex, and she is very pleasant and easy to handle, even though she was out of a very nasty doe. The kids say the mini satins are grumpy, the mini rex are playful and the FW's are the easy ones.

 

[3mina]

I've started talking with a breeder here and I'm going with the FW.
Now all I have to do is find some Californians, for a popular meat breed they are proving to be very elusive. :x , a lot like every other rabbit related item in this province :roll:<br /><br />__________ Fri Jun 15, 2012 4:08 pm __________<br /><br />I have a trio coming from a breeder/judge in the near future.


The Pointer Sisters are in the background again

 

[6riversfarms]

Good news. I think you are going to be pleased with the Fw's.