health issues???? what health issues are in harlequins?
If you are going to breed harlequins
1. focus on type if you can. Type just shows off a properly marked rabbit best. Also means those culls dress out better for the table. I started with a 45% dressout, and am up to about a 55% dressout.
2. you need to think alterations. A good three way front or four way will win a class most times. So dark ear, opposite dark face, matching dark front foot (to match the ear). If you can get good chest markings BONUS! Checker board tummies are nice but often aren't noticed. Opposite match the feet as well. Three bars down the sides, alternate if possible from one side to the next.
Do you get alot of solidish looking rabbits? yeah. But they sell as pets or into the freezer.
Can you get a whole litter of GACK why am I breeding these? yeah,
but you can also get a litter of ...wow...that's a nice one.
But mostly...you breed for type, and the rest will eventually come.
From three does I can usually get one-three showables in the course of a year.
I love it if they are does and just go ACK when they are bucks. I don't NEED more bucks. (not for just three does). I show 'em then I sell 'em. People who take them go onto grand them. I've been fortunate.
it is not a breed for the easily disheartened. They aren't.
But seriously....breed for type and hope for the markings.
keep CLEAN MARKED rabbits even if they have horrid markings.
Don't keep the motley looking ones...that just breeds more motley looking buns.
Go for clean marks. Breed odd faced buns to bald faced ones for better markings.
And if you are breeding japs..CULL anything with a white foot. that's just downright annoying.
NOTE: I really enjoy my harles. I find them a lovely tempered breed and I've never met a truly nasty animal. Easy to handle, easy to breed, just overall easy keepers. Not a health risk in my herd at all.
