A breed is more than the weight of an adult rabbit. It determines early maturity, fertility, meat yield, pelt quality and how well the animals cope with the climate and housing system. Below is a brief description of breeds often raised on farms. The figures are approximate averages: they vary between specific lines and with different feeding.
Popular breeds
| Breed | Adult weight, kg | Purpose | Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Californian | 4–5 | meat | White with dark "points" on the nose, ears and feet. Early-maturing, well suited to mesh floors. |
| New Zealand White | 4.5–5 | meat | One of the most widespread commercial breeds: fast growth, good meat yield. |
| New Zealand Red | 4.5–5 | meat | Red colouring, undemanding, calm temperament. |
| Flemish Giant (Belgian Giant) | 6–8 and more | meat and fur | Very large, but matures later and needs more feed and space. |
| White and Grey Giant | 5–6 | meat and fur | Large and hardy; the does are usually good mothers. |
| Soviet Chinchilla | 4.5–5 | meat and fur | Valuable silvery pelt, tolerates cold well. |
| Vienna Blue | 4–5 | meat and fur | Beautiful blue fur, hardiness. |
How to choose a breed for your farm
- Goal. If you sell meat, early maturity and carcass yield matter: Californian and New Zealand breeds. If the pelt matters too: Chinchilla, the giants, Vienna Blue.
- Market. Meat buyers often prefer a carcass of 2–3 kg. Large breeds give more meat, but later.
- Climate and cages. Large breeds need a roomy cage and a sturdy floor. Breeds with dense fur on their feet cope better with mesh floors.
- Feed. The larger the rabbit, the more feed it eats before slaughter. Calculate the feed cost per kilogram of weight gain.
What to look for when buying
- Buy from a farm that keeps pedigree records and can show you the parents.
- A healthy rabbit is active, with clean eyes, nose and ears, a glossy coat and normal droppings.
- Ask which vaccinations have been given and request the veterinary documents.
- For breeding, choose an unrelated buck and does to avoid inbreeding.
- Keep new animals in quarantine, separate from your own herd, for about a month.
To see which breeds our farm offers, visit the "Breeding rabbits for sale" page. Other farms are in the catalogue.
