Mixed breed slow grow

[rdartist]

I read a university study that stated a mix of Californian and New Zealand rabbit produced a quicker weight reaching rabbit.
The study used a NZW buck and a Cal. doe (opposite from my set up). My first attempt was no different than a straight Cal. breeding. This last effort has produced bunnies that are growing MUCH slower than ever.

Has anyone tried the NZW/Cal. combo to get a heavier or earlier weight to age ratio?

 

[OneAcreFarm]

I read a university study that stated a mix of Californian and New Zealand rabbit produced a quicker weight reaching rabbit.
The study used a NZW buck and a Cal. doe (opposite from my set up). My first attempt was no different than a straight Cal. breeding. This last effort has produced bunnies that are growing MUCH slower than ever.

Has anyone tried the NZW/Cal. combo to get a heavier or earlier weight to age ratio?

RD, it really has more to it than just the mix of Cal/NZW....both your doe and your buck need to be big, meaty types that also grew quickly. Hybrid vigor only enhances what is already in the genetic mix. If you cross two rabbits that were not quick growers themselves, you aren't magically going to get kits that grow quickly. Also, it has a lot to do how many in the litter, how much milk your doe is producing, when you wean and what/how you feed them till butcher time. And you won't likely see the results until further down the line...In other words, if you spend a few generations choosing for quick growth in your purebreds and THEN cross them, you will see the benefit of the hybrid vigor more clearly.

 

[rdartist]

I didn't plan to cross breed for the ratio, it was the available rabbits. I was just citing a sample ag school study. My main point was that, most things being equal over this year, this litter is at the 8 week weight for their 14 week age. I was just curious as to whether or not anyone had better results with this combo.

Thanks for the quick response though.

 

[Miss M]

I have read of others having good success with hybrid vigor produced by the Cal/NZ cross, and I don't know that it had anything to do with which one was the buck and which was the doe.

As OAF said, though, it's usually all in the genes. Some buck/doe combinations just do not do well.

It is possible the doe could be producing less milk than normal for some reason. I have had that happen. A doe who had raised a number of litters suddenly does not produce enough milk for her latest one. Mated with the same buck. No clue why she suddenly had the drop in production. I did notice, though, that they were not all equally stunted. Rather, there were a couple who got plenty, and grew like gangbusters. There were a few who get enough, and grew, but not as well. Then there were a couple who didn't get enough, and I ended up supplementing them to get them to grow.

 

[AnnClaire]

Also, growth rate for weaned kits is very closely tied to the quality of the feed they are getting ... what pellets and supplements (if any) are you feeding?