breeder's mama pulling fur from babies, does this behavior pass on?

[Bebop]

I've been wanting to get a coupleAmerican Sables, they're quite hard to find, but I did find a breeder.

I would have really liked a couple show quality animals, but she told me that the mamas from all 3 of the litters she had keep pulling fur from the babies,which growback in white! So they're only good for breeding at this point.

My concern was that wouldn't this behavior pass on to a doe if I were to get one? I would really like to get a pair or trio from her since she's the only breeder in the state apparently that has this breed, but I would just be afraid thatI would never have anything show quality because the does kept pulling fur from their babies!

Thanks for any help!

>^.^<

 

[Jenson]

I do think that mothering "styles" and behaviors are passed on. I had a blue Rex doe who wanted to look after her babies, she was just a little clueless. Her first litter (not with me) she killed and ate. Her next 3 litters with me she abandoned. The fourth litter I bred another doe at the same time and gave her all the kits to the other doe. This litter obviously survived, the foster doe was a very good mother. I kept a blue doe from this litter, fostered by the other rabbit so not in any way influenced by the behavior of her mother.

Her first litter she killed and ate. Her second litter she abandoned. Her third litter, finally was successful and are now 4 weeks old, but it was a bit rocky getting them to survive. I think she has finally got the idea now!

So, my blue doe exhibited the same behaviors as her mother despite being taken away from her at birth and never meeting her. And I've been told her grandmother also had 3 unsuccessful litters.

I would ask to see the babies in the nest so you can see them without these white patches just to make sure that the doe is the genuine reason for them. Then if you want to try for show you can use a foster doe and switch litters at birth to ensure the fur stays on your show babies!