Breeding Dwarf Rabbits....

[Mischievous_Mark]

Im thinking about getting into breeding rabbits and ive been taken by the Netherland Dwarfs ( remind me of thumper from Bambi lol ) but was just wondering.

What other dwarf breeds are around ?
Do they have any birth problems ?
Do they have any health problems ?
Are bad tempered, Ive read on some website that they can be due to their size but i dont liek to believe everything on the internet lol.

Cheers

thats all for now folks

[ami_j]

breeding two netherland dwarves together will give you "peanuts" which from what i remember dont live long...i did some research on lethal genes for my project for college but chose a different topic so only have an idea of the basics with rabbits

[sheldon&shelly]

netherland dwarfs are my fav breed of rabbit, & a few years back i bred them for a hobby, i never had any problems 99% of my babies were born healthy,

it will take time & getting your breeding rabbits from brc breeders will make a huge difference

[pigglywiggly]

my netherland dwarfs are well tempered, and i havnt had a nasty one.

you`ve also got polish rabbits, they are really nasty and unpredictable, at rabbit shows when they have to be fetched for the judging, all the stewards hide so they dont have to touch them!

or miniature lops, they weigh 3 1/2 pounds, are little duracell bunnies, really bouncy and friendly, they are very popular.

with all dwarf breeds, you do get some `peanut babies` born, they are half the size of a normal baby, and a bit missshaped. they are too weak to survive and die in a few days, its because they are homozygous for the dwarf gene

the problem you`re likely to get is mallocusion of the teeth, its inherited, so as long as you shop well, you wont have to worry about it.

[Mischievous_Mark]

Well im only looking into it as a hobby so was just thinking about getting a male and female.

I was thinking on mini lops but someone told me they are only called that because of there ears and get to be larger that youd expect.

[stephenie191]

Mini - lops are my favourite!

There small, come in loads of colours and are much easier to handle than the larger breeds.

Lionheads, (properlly bred ones not cross's) don't grow very big either and they are really pretty.

Netherlands aren't as friendly as Lionheads and the lops but they are smaller.

I would 110% buy from a breeder, who can answer all your questions, don't be tempted with pet shop rabbits as you can never be sure on the pedigree etc.

No real health problems, but the do 'breed like rabbits' so make sure you have two cages/hutchs and control the breeding.

[pigglywiggly]

Originally Posted by Mischievous_Mark

Well im only looking into it as a hobby so was just thinking about getting a male and female.

I was thinking on mini lops but someone told me they are only called that because of there ears and get to be larger that youd expect.

no its the numptys who buy a dwarf lop without asking how big they get.

minilop three and a half pounds

dwarflop show weight is 5 pounds and 4 ounces

totally different rabbits


dwarf lop, note the longer ears

minilop below, shorter ears and hamster faced!

[Mischievous_Mark]

Originally Posted by stephenie191

Mini - lops are my favourite!

There small, come in loads of colours and are much easier to handle than the larger breeds.

Lionheads, (properlly bred ones not cross's) don't grow very big either and they are really pretty.

Netherlands aren't as friendly as Lionheads and the lops but they are smaller.

I would 110% buy from a breeder, who can answer all your questions, don't be tempted with pet shop rabbits as you can never be sure on the pedigree etc.

No real health problems, but the do 'breed like rabbits' so make sure you have two cages/hutchs and control the breeding.

O i plan to have 4 rabbit hutches in the shed, 1 for the male 1 for the female and 1 for them babies when they need spliting up.

what age do they need spliting up.


Now im stuck between these breeds but which is the smallest ?

Netherland Dwarf
Dwarf Hoto (sp)
Mini Lop
and Lionhead ?

[pigglywiggly]

Originally Posted by Mischievous_Mark

O i plan to have 4 rabbit hutches in the shed, 1 for the male 1 for the female and 1 for them babies when they need spliting up.

what age do they need spliting up.


Now im stuck between these breeds but which is the smallest ?

Netherland Dwarf
Dwarf Hoto (sp)
Mini Lop
and Lionhead ?

netherland is the smallest, doubt you`d find any blanc de hotots!
pet shop lionheads are all crossbreds, real ones are smaller, weigh 3 lb 12 oz at the most

[stephenie191]

Netherland dwarfs are the smallest,

Rabbits should be split up by 12 weeks of age. Maybe slightly before for males.

Although i havn't had problems.

So all should be sold by the time there 12 weeks, but its a good idea having adleast one spare hutch like you said.

I would buy a book on rabbit breeding, Ebay always has loads, and its good to have one at hand!

I would love some rabbits again but im not aloud, while im still at home