Can you believe how fast the time flies? It seems like yesterday when it was still summer and I was cursing the deer and squirrels that decimated my garden, lol. And now it is winter- the Christmas lights are up, the air is crisp, and the pies are abundant.
Anyway, I remember on one of my (now defunct) forums, there was a thread about what 5 breeds of rabbit you would NEVER raise. I thought it would be fun to bring it back, so here are mine:
1. American Fuzzy Lop
2. Jersey Wooly
3. Mini Rex
4. Mini Satin
5. Lionhead
Honorable mention: Himilayan, Polish, Netherland Dwarf
Nothing personal for the folks that love those breeds! I just can't see myself working with tiny rabbits. If I wanted long fur, I'd go with larger angora breeds. If I wanted a satin coat or himi points, I'd go with the full-size breed. If i wanted lop ears, likewise. Everyone is different, but I just can do the tiny guys. And even 4lbs is pretty small to me. I thought Dutch were tiny and their max weight is 5.5lbs (I would raise them again if space/time/money was no option). Here is a link to the ARBA breed list:
https://www.arba.net/breeds.htm
I loved seeing the responses on the old forum- I'd be curious where folks stand these days since small rabbits are so popular across the US. Happy December!
Hmm, I don't think I'd ever breed Flemish, too big, English Lops, too much ear, Neatherland Dwarf, too tiny, New Zealands, too plain, and Lionheads, because I think they look like Bugs Bunny in the one where he is like Jekyl and Hyde....... :)
ReplyDeleteGood list! I used to raise English Lops and while I love the breed, I don't think I would raise them again unfortunately. They are very slow growing/big boned, wanted affection constantly, and ear nips could get me DQed off the show table. So basically they were one of the fanciest breeds for show, but not a multi-purpose breed unless you want a house full of lovable pets. A friend of mine raises the new broken variety of New Zealands and they are gorgeous and quite different- I'd consider those if my Harlies never produce again. I remember the Jekyl/Hyde Bugs, haha. Happy Sunday!
DeleteI remember that discussion! I can't remember the breeds I chose. Now days, I think I would avoid: Britannia Petite, Belgian Hare, Holland Lops, Lionheads, and Silvers. Petites are skittish, Belgians are beautiful but they seem too fragile. Hollands are insanely popular but I don't like the exaggerated heads. I think Lionheads and Silvers are somewhat ugly.
ReplyDeleteI prefer rabbits that come in many colors. When I first started raising rabbits I had all REW Netherland Dwarfs (a breed I would consider having again) so it was boring to say the least. I love my Harlequins because no 2 look exactly alike.
I knew you were there for that discussion, heheh! :) I've actually never been around Petites or Hares, but I don't really like skittish or fragile either. I like colors also- I think the prettiest ND's are the Vienna marks- not sure if anyone still works with BEW much these days? Love these lists! Might do another later this week.
DeleteI don't know if you remember Whitney from RH but she raised Hares for a while and had nothing but problems. Broken legs due to the extremely fine bones seem common. I have never met any Petites but have always been told they are bitey.
DeleteYou know, I don't think any of the white varieties of NDs are popular. I was the only youth breeder of REWs in GA back in the day. At Conyers I noticed a lot of Otters and Chestnuts but not much beyond those.