Which Breed Would Be Better?

[Silver Willow]

Me and my sister have been wanting to start on another breed for some time, and I thought I would finally look into it a bit more. As lots of you will know, we are currently breeding Netherland Dwarfs.

I had originanlly though Jersey Woolies would be a good option for a second breed, but now Mini Rex's are starting to grow on me So I was wondering what you guys think would be a better option for us? I am open to any other breed ideas

Some more info:

The main market down here is pretty much for pet rabbits. So they have to have good temperament, and be a reasonably small breed.

I would like something that only we would be breeding in our area. The pet shop down here have ND's, Standard Rex, Mini Lops (Of course :roll: ), Dutch, and the usual adorable mutts etc.
I am pretty sure the closest people to us who breed Jersey Woolies are about a two hour drive away- which most people around here would be unwilling to do. The closest Mini Rex breeder to us is around 9 hours drive away. I know this may seem like a problem for us in terms of actually getting our breeding stock, but we are going away this year so I would be able to get in some time looking at rabbitrys



Any help or advise is welcome!

 

[Dood]

Jersey Woolies do require quite a bit of grooming as their fur picks up all sorts of debris, especially when housed on solid floors as I believe is the preferred method in New Zealand, and a small knot can quickly turn into a large matt that can allow infection or fly infestation (AKA "fly strike") to settle in, not to mention the pain it causes from pulling on the skin. They are more prone to wool block as well since the long fur they groom out and ingest easily tangles in the stomach so plenty of roughage is more critical for this breed.

Mini Rex on the other hand can develop sore hocks if kept on wire but their fur is pretty low maintenance.

I think the temperament is too variable, and since your options are limited anyway, you'll just have to take your chances. However, over here most of the JW I've met we're very sweet while the MRex were little hellions, but of course that might just be the stock in Ontario.

 

[Silver Willow]

Ok, thank you Dood What do you think of this listing?:

http://www.trademe.co.nz/pets-animals/r ... 265800.htm

 

[Dood]

WOW! those are some GORGEOUS mini Rex ! What wonderful plush coats and nice solid frames on the two bucks

The breeder sounds great too and breeds for pet qualities and not just show stock.

 

[Silver Willow]

So they look ok then? I'm definately going to do my research on the breed standards etc. before I take the plunge into another breed. At this stage we would probably be looking at just getting a buck and a doe to start with So exciting though, can't wait! Thank you for your help <br /><br /> __________ Mon Aug 04, 2014 2:09 pm __________ <br /><br /> I went to their facebook page, definitely going with Mini Rex now Those chocolates are adorable!

 

[Mini Rex Breeder]

Mini Rex's are soooo sweet. They are a blast to raise. I just planned next years litters.

 

[preciousgurl63]

All I can tell you from experience since I own MR is they are very sweet or at least all mine are. Mine would beg for attention. Run around the cage until you came to pet them but I got rid of my breeders to make room for a new breed for me to get into. So right now I only have one MR doe I plan to keep. She is so loveable. My 3 year old niece loves to play with her and loved to play with the others before I got rid of them. All mine knew/know their names and came when called. So I would say go with MR but before making a decision just do your research and figure out if MR are actually your breed. I know I love the breed because their sweet, calm, beautiful and have the most amazing fur coat. Here is a pic of my MR doe Hershey and my niece holding her like she is her baby. All my babies could be handled like this and carried like this to by my niece. Just if you do pick this breed make sure you look at temperments because I did have one MR that was really shy and would run from me any chance he got but loved to be held.

 

[Mini Rex Breeder]

Temperament is big for this breed. I have two cranky does but my bucks shy, they are only like this in there cage though. Baby's are always out going happy, and just plain great tempered. My Flemish/new Zealand buck, before he died, knew his name( Midnight) he would sit, laydown, beg,come when called, and roll over. I mis that little guy he was 2yrs old. He died last winter, don't know what hapend. RIP Midnight.

 

[Bandits Bunny Farm]

Mini Rex's are so adorable. I have 8 babies that all come to the hutch door when I go out. all I can do is kiss them because theyre so darn adorable I'm going to miss them, but I can't wait til the next litters. I'm hoping to get some blues next time. I want to switch from hutches to a colony, and then I want to get Holland Lops. I'm going to sell my Mini Lop buck (any takers? he's quite handsome and has thrown beauties. I'm asking $45), and I want to get maybe a Frosty Holland buck and maybe a Sable Point and Seal Point Holland does