© The Rabbit Research Program at TAMUK

Altex rabbits are a large-sized rabbit breed (adults weigh 10-20 pounds or 4.5-9 kilos, with the does being heavier) that was first developed as a sire rabbit in 1986 at Alabama A&M University and later at Texas A&M University-Kingsville. It was bred from Flemish Giant, Champagne d’ Argent, and Californian rabbits. The Altex was genetically selected for heavy 70 day market weights for over 20 generations. Color markings are that of a Californian but Altex generally weigh more.

The Altex is not meant to be the sole rabbit breed in a meat rabbit producer’s rabbitry. The Altex lack many of the best qualities of Californian and New Zealand White rabbits. For example, they are harder to mate and they often have smaller litters (6-7 kits versus the 8-12 of Californians).

The Altex’s main strength shows when they are crossbred, producing rabbits that have faster weight gain. This creates a more efficient performance and ultimate greater profits from the herd. Altex/New Zealand White crossbred fryers typically reach market weight a week earlier than purebred New Zealand White fryers. Another recommended cross is the mating from an Altex buck to a Californian/New Zealand White crossbred doe.

Breeders for Altex rabbits can be hard to find, but if you are lucky enough within driving distance of one, it could dramatically boost your production levels.

© Ervinpospisil

Californian rabbits are a medium-sized rabbit breed (adults weigh 7-10 pounds or 3.5-4.75 kilos, with the does being heavier) that was specifically developed for meat and fur production by US breeders in the 1920′s. The breed was developed by crossing Himalayan, Standard Chinchilla and New Zealand white rabbits.

As of now, it is the second most popular meat producing rabbit breed in the world, with only the New Zealand breed ahead of them. Californian rabbits still look very similar to the Himalayan rabbit with a predominantly white body and black on the feet, nose, ears and tail. They have pink eyes.

The body of a Californian rabbit is plump but fine-boned, giving it a high meat-to-bone ratio which is essential for good meat rabbit breeds. Californians are so popular as a meat breed because they are truly an excellent meat rabbit breed. They usually produce large litters of 8-12 kits, which have a fast growth rate to fryer size (4-5lbs) in 8-12 weeks. They are also usually good mothers.

But, Californians may not be so suitable for children to assist with because they can be difficult to handle by an inexperienced person due to their size. And they are sometimes very moody and aggressive.

The average life span of a breeding Californian rabbit is 5 to 6 years.

To learn more about Californian rabbits, find breeders or learn about rabbit shows, visit www.nationalcalclub.com

Lynx Rex rabbits have fur which is very fine and velvety. The Lynx coloring on rabbits has an orange undercoat with a mixture of Lilac and a lighter orange color as a topcoat. This coloring is displayed over the body of the rabbit and the top of it’s tail. The bottom of the tail, jaw, eye rings, inside the ears and stomach are all white. Rex rabbits usually have blue eyes and those with Lynx coloring should have eyes that are blue-gray.

Lynx Rex rabbits are not a preferred meat rabbit because they are a bit smaller than other popular meat breeds and they have a higher bone to meat ratio. On average, an adult Rex rabbit weighs 8-9 pounds (3.6-4 kilograms) and fall into the medium-size weight class. The fur of Rex rabbits is about 1/2 inch long (1.27 centimeters) and the guard hairs of the fur are actually longer than the undercoat.

Because their fur is so fine and short, Lynx Rex rabbits are more susceptible to sore hocks when housed in wire cages. But putting a board or carpet mat into the cage for them to stand on will lessen the problem. Lynx Rex rabbits should be brushed regularly but in general they do not require long hours of brushing or extra care to maintain their beautiful fur. This makes the Lynx Rex rabbit a truly exceptional breed for fur producers. Plus they get a great meat by-product. It has a slightly broader head than other breeds of rabbit, proportionate and upright ears as well as toe nails that match the color of its fur.

Lynx Rex rabbits are very docile, intelligent and can be very affectionate. They are great foster mothers and pairs of them can actually be housed together, allowing them to be bred in very small areas.

The Lynx Variety is genetically a Dilute Chocolate Agouti (A_ bb C_ dd E_).  Agouti is the color pattern seen in wild rabbits. The hair-shaft usually has three or more bands of color, with a dark gray base. The head, ears, feet are usually ticked while the eye rings, belly and chin are a lighter color. Any coloring within the white areas of a Lynx Rex rabbit’s fur is unfavorable in the show ring.

Breeders with Lynx Rex Rabbits are not that easy to find online, but you can start with JT Rabbitry in Pennsylvania, a nice little rabbitry focusing on beautiful Rex rabbits.

• Silver Fox
  Adult Size: Large (9-12 pounds/ 4.1-5.4 kilograms)
  The Silver Fox is considered the teddy bear of the commercial breed and is very well suited for meat breeding. It has a high dress out percentage (65%) with a small boned carcass, does are excellent mothers with large litters, they have plenty of milk and they make excellent foster mothers. They are also gentle, easy to handle, like attention and have beautiful long fur. Their fur resembles the pelt of an Arctic silver fox: coarse, extremely dense and 1 ½ to 2 inches long. Kits are born either solid black or blue and silvering will start at 4 weeks, taking about 4 months to complete. Unlike any other rabbit breed, when the fur is stroked backwards from tail to head, it will stand straight up until stroked in the opposite direction. The breed is considered critically endangered and is not recognized in outside the U.S., although in Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom there is a breed called Silver Fox, which is actually the same rabbit breed as the Silver Marten in America.
• Satin
  Adult Size: Large (8.5-12 pounds/ 3.9-5.4 kilograms)
  The Satin breed has translucent hair shafts that reflect light, giving the coat a very high sheen. Coat color ranges from black to copper to white…and many things in between. A high protein diet supplemented with sunflower seeds helps maintain good body tone and a healthy coat but no special care other than routine brushing is required. Satins have one of the best meat-to-bone ratios of the commercial breeds. Other characteristics which make them great for meat production are their good growth rates, their great motherly instincts and their ease of breeding.
• Champagne d’Argent
  Adult Size: Large (10-15 pounds/ 4.75-6.8 kilograms)
  The Champagne d’Argent is one of the oldest known rabbit breeds, existing in the Champagne province of France for over 400 years. Then called the French Silver for its silvery coat, it was once prized for its pelt despite being a common breed. Bunnies are born pure black, begin turning silver grey at about 3 weeks and are completely silver grey by 6 months. Champagnes are not so common in America today, but their popularity is increasing. The rabbit has a medium length with well-developed hind-quarters.
• Harlequin
  Adult Size: Medium (7-9 pounds/ 2.7-3.6 kilograms)
  Harlequins are usually pretty docile, make good mothers and foster kits well. The ideal age for a Harlequin doe to start breeding is 5 to 6 months old. There are two varieties of Harlequins: Japanese are golden orange with colored markings and the Magpie is white with colored markings. A well bred Harlequin will have white or orange on one side of the face with a straight, clean line dividing it from the other side of the face, which would be colored. The ear attached to the white or orange side would be colored, and the ear attached to the colored side would be white or orange. The body is alternately striped with white or orange and color.

• Californian
  Adult Size: Medium (7-10 pounds/ 3.5-4.75 kilograms)
  Californian rabbits were developed in the USA in the 1920’s to provide good meat and fur production. Californians are a cross of Himalayan, Standard Chinchilla and New Zealand white rabbits and are currently the second most popular meat producing rabbits in the world. The body is plump but fine-boned. Californian rabbits look very similar to the Himalayan rabbit with a predominantly white body and black on the feet, nose, ears and tail. Their average litter size is 6-8 bunnies.
• New Zealand
  Adult Size: Large (8-12 pounds/ 3.6-5.4 kilograms)
  Despite the name, New Zealand rabbits were first bred in America in 1916 for meat and fur production and are currently the number one meat rabbit in the United States. They come in several different colors (black, red and white) but the white rabbits are the most popular for meat production because of their large, broad, and muscular bodies. When mature, bucks weigh from 8-10 pounds and females from 9-12 pounds. New Zealand rabbits are ready to slaughter as fryers after just 2 months. Their average litter size is 8-10 bunnies.
• Florida White
  Adult Size: Small (4-6 pounds/ 1.8-2.7 kilograms)
  Although this rabbit is quite small, it was bred in Florida in the 1960’s as a meat rabbit which would also be functional for laboratory use. The fur is white with good density and texture, and they have a compact, meaty body, short neck, and small head.
• Palomino
  Adult Size: Large (8-11 pounds/ 3.6-5 kilograms)
  Palomino rabbits have a smaller bone structure than other meat rabbits which gives you a higher meat ratio. But they take a bit longer to grow. Bucks are 8-10 pounds and does usually range from 9-11 pounds. Litter size is usually 8 kits but can range from 6 to 12. Palominos come in two colors: Golden & Lynx. The Golden has an orange/brown golden color (as the name suggests) and the Lynx has a bit more grey or silver tone in the fur. They have a very docile and friendly temperament.
• Beveren
  Adult Size: Medium (8-11 pounds/ 3.6-5 kilograms)
  The Beveren is one of the oldest and largest breeds of fur rabbits, originating in Belgium. Their coats can be blue, white, black, brown and lilac. They are a rare breed but well tempered, clean, and smart. The fur is rather long (about 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 inches), dense and glossy. The breed is hardy and well suited for meat production because of large litter size, the young grow fairly fast, and the does are typically docile and make good mothers.