How to breed for good feet and a color match question

[GBov]

My space - and budget - is not unlimited but, now that I have my Rex, the foot thing is a problem. Sore hocks suck for the buns and for me too!

So, out of my 4 senior does, all have sore spots as do my two senior bucks. In my 9 junior does there are two with good hocks and all the rest have sore spots or scars. As they gain weight their feet may get worse but I will keep an eye on the good ones really closely for any change.

But the good ones in the feet department are NOT the best in conformation and the shoulder department. Both are castor.

To add to the mix I have four - two bucks and two does - Rex x French Angora juniors. They have very VERY thick, and a tad longer than normal, fur. And fantastic feet! Nice and wide and heavily furred.

How do I go about breeding for solid feet using any and all of the above? And is it true that with Rex I am only supposed to breed castor to castor and not to any other colors? Or was that just hear say being passed on to me?

 

[akane]

Do you have resting boards? It's important for Rex but good for all rabbits.

Castor is tricky. The best is to breed good castors to good castors. Crossing out will change the bands on the hair making more grey or redder castors as well as modifying the ear lacing and sometimes undercoat depending what you breed to. That's good to fix problems once you have an eye for proper coloring. If you don't have experience you can quickly ruin all your castors. Also any not castor offspring of a castor cross might be poorly marked. Reds from castors usually don't show well.

 

[GBov]

They all have slate tiles but, while they work great for some, other pee on them and soak it up so that, no mater where in the cage I place them, the problem continues for some.

Proper resting platforms are on my wanted list but tiles are what I have for now.

I seem to have all different shades of brown, from coffee with creamer to the deep red chestnut I was told was castor.

So, good feet regardless, I should only breed them to like color Rex? That isn't going to make getting better feet any easier! :lol:

What other colors should only be bred to same color Rex or are castors the only ones? <br /><br /> __________ Mon Oct 06, 2014 5:22 pm __________ <br /><br /> Is there a standard for castor by the way? When I search for pictures on the web they are all shades of brown, just like the ones I have! :roll:

 

[akane]

Try tonisconeys.webs.com/castorguide.htm and look up the color crossing rules. It's outdated for newer colors but covers the basics. It's been linked to in the color and genetics section.

 

[ottersatin]

Hello GBov,
if wanting to improve the furring on the hocks is what you are looking for,
that is what you have to breed for! The only way to achieve that goal
is to breed together only those animals that will help you to get there.
Try breeding the Bucks with the best furred feet to Does that have well furred feet
of Does with the best type that come closest to the goal you're trying to reach.
Retain only those kits that have or come closest to your goal, cull the rest.
It will take quite awhile with persistence and strict culling,
you WILL reach your goal!
Ottersatin. ldtimer: