BEW, Netherland, and Mini Rex breeders?

[Icarus]

I mentioned before that I got Standard (5lb) Vienna stock recently. I've been really looking forward to breeding quality Standard Blue Eyed Whites, 5-6lbs. They're hellish to find in that size, most BEW's around here are mini's, 1-2lbs. I was pleased as punch that I got regular sized Vienna's.

I've been considering breeding mini BEW's. Anyone doing so? I was thinking either Netherland Dwarfs or Mini Rexes (love that rex fur). Wasn't too sure. I would probably have to give up on Harlequins, wouldn't have the room for 'em. At least not if I want diversity.

I wasn't too fond of the Netherlands at first...but after seeing them at the swap, their hard to resist. Those tiny little ears! D'aw!

Thoughts? Anyone have experience with ND's or MR's?
I might get lucky and find Vienna ND stock, otherwise I'd have to cross with my big Vienna's. I have a real tiny lil' doe who's offspring would be perfect for bringing BEW into mini stock.

 

[Shaded Night Rabbitry]

I would stick with purebreds if you're going to do purebred stock.

Lone Star, and the other rabbitry in texas, have GREAT bew stock, but have big price tags.

There's decent bew ND's all around. I've seen a couple great ones at WA convention, and I've seen some photos of great ones somewhere in the middle east coast. if you could supply a state, it's be easier to help. 8D

As far as mini rex... No idea, sorry!

 

[Icarus]

Shaded Night Rabbitry wrote:

I would stick with purebreds if you're going to do purebred stock.

Lone Star, and the other rabbitry in texas, have GREAT bew stock, but have big price tags.

There's decent bew ND's all around. I've seen a couple great ones at WA convention, and I've seen some photos of great ones somewhere in the middle east coast. if you could supply a state, it's be easier to help. 8D

As far as mini rex... No idea, sorry!

I live in Missouri It's rather difficult to find BEW's, and BEW breeders are even more difficult to find. The BEW and Vienna stock at the local swap came from over 75 miles away!
Some rabbitry's have a few Vienna or BEW stock but nothing thats truly established and specialized in BEW. They might have one or two BEW kits every so often, maybe a BEW buck or doe.

My ultimate goal is to have BEW's with 5+ generations of BEW, with as little inbreeding as possible.
I may have to make my rabbit house a bit bigger, I see a lot of different BEW linage in my future XD

 

[whaleyk98]

I have just embarked on a BEW ND journey. Got great starter stock with lines that include Lonestar, Blue Diamonds, Dows and Wights. Im so excited to get started. they are so beautiful! I will be breeding her in July!

 

[Jaded]

Try Lone Star Rabbitry
www.lonestarrabbitry.com

 

[Icarus]

whaleyk98 wrote:

I have just embarked on a BEW ND journey. Got great starter stock with lines that include Lonestar, Blue Diamonds, Dows and Wights. Im so excited to get started. they are so beautiful! I will be breeding her in July!

Aw, lucky! I'm definitely jealous. I won't be able to breed at least until September-October! Maybe November-December, depending on how my does and buck matures.


I wish Lonestar wasn't so far away. Maybe I can talk my dad into a much needed vacation...to Texas...in the Lonestar Rabbitry :biggrin2:

 

[Jaded]

That would be good:biggrin2:

Ive always wanted to visit Lone Star Rabbitry! really want to meet Hes a keeper one of there BEW Bucks.

 

[Shaded Night Rabbitry]

Lone Star seems to very rarely have anything for sale. You just missed the big auction of the year.

Rosewood has some GREAT BEW's that I just saw. They're in NY. I'd try them.
http://rosswoodrabbits.weebly.com/

 

[Icarus]

Augh. I just lost my silver-orange VM buck, and the self black. I'm thinking at relatively the same time. The self's litter had some pretty strange seizure problems (bought them from another guy). None of the ones I actually wanted to sell had issues, they where out of a different doe. All the ones that I wanted to keep, poof!

I suppose seizures is expected with VM's and BEW's. Lonestar is very clear about it. I thinking that the combined stress of growing, and that he may have been startled by my hen (she's in a larger brooder next to the rabbit hutch with six chicks) triggered the fatal seizures.

All other bunnies are fine. The orange was rather small yet, a seizure for him was a death sentence. His sister (dif, doe, same sire) is older, larger, and currently fine.

Still forging ahead with my plans for BEW's. I am considering only getting larger VM's however, instead of small, 4-5 week old bunnies.
All of my remaining VM stock are much older and henceforth larger. So far, I haven't had a single issue with fatal seizures in older bunnies, only in 2-5 week olds.

My 'midget bunny' is perfectly fine as well. She's a real oddball.