nzw vs nz red

Ebers

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I've been looking for a nzw buck but I haven't had any luck in finding one, I have found a few nz red & broken red bucks that are supposed to be pedigreed. Do you think the nz red buck would be as good as a nzw for breeding meat rabbits?
 

Pastor Dave

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Absolutely!
We had a NZR buck when I was a kid and he was a great breeder. His name was "Big Red".
I think the reds are more resolute than the whites, but I primarily have the whites right now.
You should do fine with a NZR for meat rabbits.
 

Bunnylady

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You may get some surprise colors like black and steel breeding a NZW to a NZR, but they are all considered the same breed, so production-wise, you shouldn't have any issues.
 

Pastor Dave

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@Bunnylady is absolutely right on the color genetics(and more)
When eating them, once hide is off it all looks the same. That being said, all white all the time gets boring.
I think it is cool getting the color variation to break up the monotony. My pelt guy saw me dump out my latest hides from a crossed breeding and abt had a heart attack. I had broken patterns that were almost all symmetrical, and he actually paid more per pelt. He actually asked for more, but I told him my main priority was the meat, so he would get what I bring.
 

chiques chicks

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I don't sell pellets, but I love different colors.
I am told, I don't know if it is true, many pelt buyers prefer white since it can be died for the craft market.

As far as meat, color doesn't matter. Breed isn't even a huge deal. I have several breeds, nz. Californian, champagne d'argent, and a couple, nz/silver fox cross. All are fine and I cross breed them occasionally. For meat, I don't get concerned about pedigree. I'm not registering or showing. Records for me are only for production results. I don't show and never will. ( I'm old enough to be sure I won't get in to show rabbits, lol) My meat rabbits are generally the culls from show stock, just don't meet some standard.
 

Pastor Dave

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@chiques chicks you heard correct. The commercial industry likes the pure white pelts for many reasons.
The guy I sell to is just craft market size, and does each pelt himself. He liked the colorful ones that would be made into smaller projects for Farmer's Market, etc.
 

chiques chicks

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Do you have NZ Reds?
I don't have any red. White are more common here for the reasons everyone has mentioned, therefore cheaper. I would not be adverse to having them, just don't. There are some around the area I've seen advertised.

Actually, my favorites are some of the crosses, but they end up all colors. I'm not even sure what some of the mixes are, I just know they do well. Breed and color don't really matter to me if the bed well, good let's, good mothers.

I don't sell meat, the laws in PA are weird. A friend has taken a few from me as breeders and likewise has no concern over breed, she did however want one with color since her daughter used the pelts for crafts and wanted different colors. The nz/silver fox cross over Californian throws great, brown, white, and mixed, so I have no idea what genes are in there. I don't breed for genetics, or even really understand them.

All my animals are breed on the basis of the strong survive. I want easy care, efficient animals. Yes, I lose animals, but that is part of raising animals, IMO.
 

chiques chicks

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Varies animal to animal. If handled, they can make great pet tour animals. On the other hand, I have a buck I will not handle without heavy leather gloves. He is, however an excellent breeder of good sized litters. I don't handle most of mine a lot, and many came from meat stock, so they aren't "tame". The only friendly animals I have are my two baby goats and my dog. Everything else is utilitarian.

Personality-wise, and looks, I like my champagne d'argents best. They came from show stock, not meat stock, so I think that makes a difference.
 

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