Stumped on a choice: 1/4 Flemish or 100% NZW?

[Violet]

Hey bunny people!

Is there any advantage of having 1/4 Flemish in meat rabbits?

I'm planning on buying three female rabbits and one male rabbit to breed for meat....
I've been talking to two breeders, and I'm stumped on which one I should buy rabbits from...one breeder is selling just three female NZW Flemish cross and the other breeder is selling all NZW's....

What would you do?
Buy the three female cross's from the first breeder and one NZW male from the second breeder,
or buy all NZW rabbits from the second breeder?

Thanks for your help!!

 

[HoppinHalfPints]

I, personally, would get the NZs. I know the Flemish Giant can create slow growth and not as much meat. They have such sweet personalities though!

 

[Zass]

I like the personality and the color variety I've gotten from my 1/4 Flemish mutts. I suppose it all depends on what you want out of your rabbits.

 

[Violet]

Thanks for the reply's!

That's what I was hoping wasn't the case Hoppin =(
Zass, do you notice any less meat from your 1/4 Flemish rabbits? I really like the colours too all three females are different colours, buuut.....my first reason for breeding them is for meat...

 

[Zass]

Nope, but they are mixed with NZ and Lilac breeds, both are nice and meaty. They don't grow quite as fast...and they don't eat quite as much(as pure NZ, but...I've read pure Flemish eat like pigs too). On a family meat level, I don't think it makes much of a difference.

 

[Violet]

Really? They don't eat as much as pure NZ too? Awesome- ok, I'm almost at a decision..... Because they are slower growing, do you grow your's out a bit longer?

 

[Zass]

Yeah. I butcher anywhere between 9 and 12 weeks usually, or later for pelts.

 

[Violet]

Thanks so much for your help =D

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Personally, I would go for the pure NZ's. They are proven meat rabbits that grow very quickly with mothers that produce lots of milk.

Flemish tend to build their frame and then add meat, so even if they "make weight" for butchering by x number of weeks, they likely wont have as favorable of a meat to bone ratio.

 

[Zass]

Ah, I wanted to add, I feel that the breeder is probably more important than the breeds (when it comes to meat-mutts anyway)

I favor getting my meat rabbits from people who very much enjoy the taste of rabbit, and cull for poor growth, type, disease, poor mothering, and temperament.


Purebreds have a bonus of their kits selling for higher prices later, assuming you breed carefully and cull well.