QUESTION: What should I look for when picking my kits? What should the body type look like? What should I look for in the fur? Obviously I should pick the deepest blue color I can find correct?
ANSWER:
Look at my rabbitgeek american rabbit webpage
http://www.rabbitgeek.com/abwrc.html
See the old book with the sideview of a blue doe?
http://www.rabbitgeek.com/abw/bluedoesml.jpg
That profile has been my goal when selecting for rabbits. I like to see that shape when I look at a rabbit that is relaxed and sitting flat in the cage. As you see the round part of the topline peaks toward the back of the rabbit. That's the mandolin type. That is different from commercial type body type where the roundness peaks more in the center.
Look at this Convention Youth Best of Breed from 2003
http://www.rabbitgeek.com/ybob2003sml.jpg
There's the topline peaking past the midline.
Check out the white rabbit from the Can-Ams
http://www.rabbitgeek.com/amrewbuck.jpg
Topline peaks past the midline.
The last two pictures on the webpage are two blue grand champions.
http://www.rabbitgeek.com/pics/dwight.jpg
http://www.rabbitgeek.com/pics/amrehgsml.jpg
The last picture is a doe that was born at my rabbitry who made it to grand champion.
Look for color that goes down to the base of the hair shaft. And look for friendly rabbits that come to the front of the cage rather than those that cower at the back of the cage.
Put your hands on the rabbits and feel for muscle tone. It would be good to feel a hefty body that feels heavy for its size.
Avoid biters.
Have a good day!
Franco Rios
No comments:
Post a Comment