Silver Fox Rabbits

[Zombified]

I've decided that the Silver Fox is the breed that I want to start breeding and raising. I've already gotten my hands on lots of books, forums, and groups. Just wondering if you could all give me your experiences with the breed. And pictures of course! And also what type of set up you have(cage, colony, etc.). I plan to start them on pellets/hay then move to a more "natural" method once I'm confident enough to start.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Zass]

My experience with silverfox was terrible.


I have decent sized cages.
From 24x48 to 48x48. (which I will now longer build, as they are too hard for me to clean or maintain at that size.)

I tried with several does, all unrelated, from pedigreed show lines, and now ,finally, I do have an unpedigreed one who is at least "normal."
The rest were all high strung, and for the most part strait up crazy in one form or another. Ranging from brutally aggressive (does who would attack kits if I pet them after petting a buck), to a doe so panicked she would fly around their cages at breakneck speed any time I approached. The best of them would retreat to the back of her cage and cringe or shake any time I looked at her too long.

They also were not particularly good producers due to a weak milk supply. Even if they gave birth to 9 kits, I'd still average closer to 6 kits weaned per litter.

I'm gentle with my rabbits and tend to spoil them.
I worked very very hard trying to tame those sf and sf crosses, to the point of raising one inside with my sugar sweet velveteen lop doe.

That one almost had me in stitches after her first litter. :evil:

Their kits were just as nutty. Much more shy then normal kits.
Bucks were usually pretty mellow at puberty, as bucks tend to be, so I find them not at all useful in determining temper.

Breeding the mellow SF buck to an extremely mellow line of mutt does still acts skittish after several generations.

Others have had different experiences, and paint a glowing picture of the breed.

But, I've spoken to enough people online to know my experience was far from a unique one.

You really need to be as careful as to whom you source your stock from as with any breed.

They didn't forage particularly well, actually my harlequins, mutts, and velveteens all forage better than any of the silver fox did.


Mine did have strong points though. Some had a startling growth rate. They were very very cold hardy. The fur IS gorgeous, and they never seem to eat as much as new zealands or my mutts.

Of course they never raised as large of litters either, so that may have been a factor in both eating less and getting better growth.

My nicer buck:

 

[Zombified]

Yeah, I had read a lot of negative things along with a lot of great things. I am dedinitely going to be choosy with who I purchase from. I already have a few breeders in mind. Two of them, I can drive to and personally see the rabbits and handle them myself. They are also excited to help someone new to rabbits/SFs, so I think that's pretty awesome.

 

[Zass]

Yeah, I had read a lot of negative things along with a lot of great things. I am dedinitely going to be choosy with who I purchase from. I already have a few breeders in mind. Two of them, I can drive to and personally see the rabbits and handle them myself. They are also excited to help someone new to rabbits/SFs, so I think that's pretty awesome.

Someone else on here picked up a pair of silverfox after reading all the terrible things I had to say. They were really happy with them I believe and have had no troubles so far.

I just feel obligated to share, so that people have some idea that the modern form of the breed is not all sunshine and roses like webpages suggest. I believe them to be as varied as new zealands in temper.

Be wary of anyone actively selling the heritage aspect and slapping high price tags on them because of it. They are not rare, and seem to be a very very genetically mixed up breed overall. Pedigrees have nothing to do with it, since weird genes pop out of pedigreed SF all the time.

I hope all that it makes selecting for truly good brood stock a bit easier.

 

[Walacha Homestead]

My husband and I are putting a lot of research time into what breeds of meat producing rabbits we would consider raising. Silver Fox's, Cinnamons and American Blues among our top picks. We've researched the breeds, and have a firm understanding that even though the breed "standards" don't follow through with every rabbit, we still appreciate the pelts and meat quality of these three.

Where our problem comes in, is where we live in NW PA, the "Standard" meat rabbits produced and most commonly bred, are New Zealands, Californians or an inter breed mix of the two. I tend to have a dislike of white rabbits, simply (I know this sounds shallow and horrid, but its honesty) because I don't like REW and it tends to show up in lines. (Laugh at me, it's ok, I laugh at myself over the absurdity)

Does anyone have any pointers on where I would find an outlet of the best breeders as close as possible for the "rarer" breeds? I've been told to find a quality Rabbit Magazine and scour the ads, but I haven't really come across any magazines concerning Meat Rabbits, they're mainly Show and Pet rabbit magazines (Featuring Lops, Angoras and such).

We plan on starting with 2 does and a buck (I'd like and wouldn't mind paying extra for an established doe either; just to make sure we don't invest a lot of money into a non-producing setup). But also, I'd love opinions on that as well. Basically we were thinking about for example; 1 Bred Doe, 1 Junior Doe and a buck. Thoughts?

Thanks everyone!

Mary

 

[Zass]

I'm in NW PA too, Walacha Homestead.

Facebook has some groups specifically for buying and selling rabbits. Sometimes you can find breeders on craigslist, pennswoods, or hoobly.

The surest way to get quality stock is probably to seek out breeders on facebook or through their websites and arrange for pickup at a rabbit show. The problem is, the vast majority of shows happen on the opposite side of the state.

 

[The_Dutchess]

My experience was:
Pros
- Were generally laid back, especially ones you have handled from day 1
- Were fun to work with
- Sold at good prices
- Fur is very soft
Cons
- I had genetics problems
- All my does were INSANE
- They didn't sell good
- It was hard for ME to handle the skittish ones; my arms and hands were simply too small
- I got a hold of a great, supportive breeder, but she had a bad line in her stock

I personally got ahold of one of this breeders bad lines. This breeder honestly had no idea this line produced white markings, and once she found out, she culled the whole line. This breeder was supportive and walked me through each step of rabbit raising and I am eternally grateful for her patience and friendliness.

However, I found my rabbits to be skittish, the does were simply insane, and one actually got hurt raising around the cage into walls when I merely move her water dish. The does were good mothers and some were laid back, but to make a long story short, I just didn't want to have to put up with it, so I got out of Silver Fox. I think if you make sure your does are from good lines (make SURE you look at all the genetic makeup) and have good temperaments, you will love the breed. I would have, if I hadn't had so many VM, skittish, and crazy rabbits.

 

[Zass]

However, I found my rabbits to be skittish, the does were simply insane, and one actually got hurt raising around the cage into walls when I merely move her water dish.

One of my SF does injured herself doing that twice, and sliced open a kit by racing over top of the nest.

Everyone of that line I had were eaten ASAP.

 

[karebru]

Someone else on here picked up a pair of silverfox after reading all the terrible things I had to say. They were really happy with them I believe and have had no troubles so far.

That might be me you're referring to, and all this negativity is killing me! :shrug: :evil: ... :lol:
I found an add on craigslist, locally, and paid $30 each, with papers, for a pair about 5 weeks ago. I already had Havanas and a Florida White. The SFs have been the most laid back bunnies since the minute I got them home. I can actually handle them without too much trouble. The Havanas act all sweet and "allow" me to pet them, but try to take them out of their cages and all hell breaks loose!
Little Tasmanian Devils! :twisted:
I love my Silver Foxes!

BUT...

I'm a total newbie. I only got my first rabbits just before Easter.
My SFs are only 4 months old.
I know nothing (Yet.) about rabbit genetics.
I haven't experienced rabbit breeding. (Yet.)
Etc...

My troubles may be just around the corner. :|
You have to wonder... Could it be that there is a reason why any particular breed of domestic animal would be listed as "rare" and "endangered"? :thinking: :thinking: :thinking:

Oops...I noticed the breeder has another add up... I think I'll contact them about holding another doe for me until I can make room for her.

 

[Zass]

Could it be that there is a reason why any particular breed of domestic animal would be listed as "rare" and "endangered"?

That's crossed my mind a few times too"

My unpedigreed SF doe is alright. Not as typey, long coated, or nice looking as the show stock was, but she's infinitely more laid back. Fantastic mother too. Too bad the litter she had for me only contained 4 kits.

Her coat actually stands up better. And she has the same high disease resistance I've come to expect. This is at least the third rabbitry she's had kits for, and she's in great health.

I have a hard time considering her a purebred silver fox without the pedigree though, especially since I'm not 100% sure her coat is long enough to be shown.

 

[karebru]

I didn't think to ask, but I don't think my supplier shows. He doesn't tattoo, but does keep track of pedigree and provide papers if you want them. Walking through his rabbit shed, there was a general sense of calmness. Could be I got lucky. We'll see what happens when we try breeding for the first time.
Temperament is actually at the top of my list. Not conformity or show quality.
I'm not too worried about litter size. This is a hobby. The meat and maybe a few pelts, is my excuse for doing it.
I was even thinking about eventually trying for a litter of SF/FW meat mutts. Poor Jefferson lost his doe, and needs a purpose to keep him out of freezer camp. :bunnyhop:

 

[Susie570]

Sounds like SF would be the PERFECT breed for me to raise for meat...
Mean, skittish, crazy.... I wouldn't feel guilty about eating them at all. :lol:

 

[Zass]

Sounds like SF would be the PERFECT breed for me to raise for meat...
Mean, skittish, crazy.... I wouldn't feel guilty about eating them at all. :lol:

What I've discovered, is that docile rabbits are happier (less stressed/panicked an a daily basis) than the overly high strung types.

The laid back type enjoy the treats, toys, and sometimes even the grooming that is necessary for their health. They do not feel stress from everyday interactions, actually, when I visit the rabbitry most are smooshing their noses between the cage wires to see if I have greens or treats when I visit. They are happy, and I feel good about raising them.

The panic-type mostly just huddle in the backs of their hutches and shake when anyone comes around, that is, if they they aren't injuring themselves or their babies in a frenzy.

I feel sad dispatching nice rabbits, but I feel absolutely terrible being responsible for the creation of rabbits that have to feel such high levels of anxiety EVERY DAY of their short lives.

I'd much rather their lives be short and sweet than short and traumatic.

 

[karebru]

Well, I'm taking my newbie chances and am going to focus on Silver Foxes. I picked up that second doe yesterday and now have a young trio. They'll all be old enough to breed about the time our weather turn mild again.
Wish me luck. :lol:
"The Dude"

"Josie"

And 10 week old, "Rikki".

 

[Zass]

Beautiful bunnies karebru!!

If they grow up nice and sweet like it seems they will, make sure to offer some for sale on occasion!!!

 

[Celice]

I hear Palominos are really good meat rabbits. Big shoulders and nice temperaments.


Those are some pretty SF!!! I like their thick fur but for me I'm not too fond of the color I like my chinchillas too much XD

 

[karebru]

Those are some pretty SF!!! I like their thick fur but for me I'm not too fond of the color I like my chinchillas too much XD

Thanks! Chinchillas are beautiful.
Silver Foxes are kind of "grizzly" looking. :lol:
To my untrained eye, my prettiest rabbits are my pair of havanas. Both jet black and shiny. Wonderful to touch... but for some reason, they seem to have stopped growing at 3-1/2 and 4 lbs. I guess if they're offspring aren't any larger, they could be served one per person, like a Cornish hen. :roll: