How do you choose what colors of rabbits to go with

[GorbyJobRabbits]

Exactly what the thread title states... for those of your raising rabbits with more color options then actual breeds.

I'm wanting to get into fuzzy lops and am having a hard time choosing what color options to go with. I've not much room so I can't choose a lot of colors.


My mother has wanted Beverns, and I found some really cheap BEW Neatherlands, which is something else she wants.....so I told her if she'd get the BEW NDs, I'd go with the BEW fuzzy lops too and since part of my rabbits have to go to her house, it would work out that she'd just have BEW rabbits everywhere haha.

But its not easy finding the BEW fuzzy lops. So I was trying to look at other color options.


but anyway just thought I'd ask what you guys decide, or what helps you decide, or if you just splurge on numerous colors?

 

[Icarus]

I pick a color I really like and a color that compliments it. For example, I'm rather fond of blacks, and REALLY fond of BEW's. So, I get self-black stock and BEW (or Vienna) stock. Self-black is the best for crossing into BEW, so one color compliments the other.

If you completely splurge on colors, you can end up having a really tough time producing breed-standard kits.

Don't forget, take your time. It took me about a year before I finally had GOOD Vienna stock and not just crappy whatever stock. I've bought and sold a LOT of rabbits over the past year trying to find 'the right ones'. Don't be afraid to shop around-don't pick a rabbit because it's cheap, pick it because it's what you want!

NEVER go with a breeder who is not proud of their animals. Theres a big difference between an 'iffy' breeder who advertises 'Show Quality' stock and can't even set up their rabbits correctly. And a GREAT breeder who will explain to you temperaments, lineage, type, and set you up with the kind of rabbit your looking for. Regardless if it's a pet, a brooder, or a show animal.

A big thing (for me) is how the rabbit is set up in the pictures. If it is a high quality breeding or showing animal, it should be set up correctly to best display it's advantages and disadvantages. A ND should not be setup like a New Zealand, for example. A pet, on the other hand, can be flopped on the bed with a gob of drool on the pillow.

 

[OakRidgeRabbits]

Well, in most breeds there are dominant colors. For example, tort is the most established color in Holland Lops. Otters are a pretty established color in Netherland Dwarfs. Very few breeds have overall equal type across all colors.

So when you're first starting out in a breed, it is usually best to work with a more common color because it will be easier to find and work with quality rabbits. Once you get your line established and are producing consistent quality, that is usually when people bring in color projects.

It also depends on what you like though. If tort is the most common color and you hate that color, maybe it's worth going with the 2nd or 3rd common color.

 

[BlueCamasRabbitry]

I just happened to get a REW in my litter of Mini Rex, and decided that it was the colour I wanted to work with.

However, now that I'm reducing my White herd, I'm getting into Standard Rex, in Black Otter.

It's really important that whatever colour you choose, you don't just buy the first animal you see. I've done this a fewtimes, and regret doing it... The main reason in doing so was because I waited too long to look for a buck, and by the time I needed does bred, I just went with the first pick. I was lucky enough to get nice stock, but I could have gotten a lot better if I'd just looked around more and spent more.

Learn your breed very well. Watch how they're judged and see what the judge looks for in that perfect animal. Talk to breeders who have several BOB animals, and have them set them up and show you the breed so you know the perfect animal to look for. With all of that breed based knowledge, you will know when the right animal comes along... and you may not find one in the certain colour you want in your area, but the general rule of thumb is type over colour.

Best of luck!

Emily