More mental breeding

[irishbunny]

Oh I love your lionheads! I'd love if I can find some like them.

 

[Sabine]

Thanks for the pictures and the info. Magic is about 6 months old and I was hoping to wait till march before I breed her to have babies in the warmer weather. Her dad is about 3years old I think

 

[BlueGiants]

TinysMom wrote:

From the way BlueGiants is describing her rabbit - I'm thinking its what lionhead breeders call a "mismark" in the fact it has the bit of white. However - when she breeds the rabbit - then we'll know for sure.

Yeah, the dam of the charlie baby definately is a mis-mark... we call them "booted" (for a colored rabbit with white feet) or "crackled" for white lines across the dark color. Neither are showable, but can make wonderful brood does and be an important part of a good bredding program. The sire was shown and Grand Championedby 7 months of ageas a Black, he developed the white hairs on his tail and feet later as he matured. (Or if they were there before, no one ever spotted it!)

Sometimes the body type and fur are so perfect, it's a shame to lose that just because of a mis-mark. And, as with any rabbit with "show points" on markings (Mini Rex, Rex, Dutch, Rhinelanders, Checkered Giants, etc.) not all babies will turn out with perfect markings all the time. So don't discount or eliminate a well balanced, good furred rabbit for breeding, just based on the markings. A lightly markedrabbit bred to a heavier marked or solid rabbit will often produce the most perfect markings. And 2 perfectly marked rabbits bred together may produce all solids or poorly marked rabbits.

 

[Sabine]

Just an afterthought: Is there such a thing like a minimum amount of times per year you should breed a doe if you want her to produce offspring in consecutive years? I was hoping to breed Magic once or twice only next year and work with the offspring the following year and possibly breed Magic at the same time as a back up doe

 

[Sabine]

BlueGiants

Sometimes the body type and fur are so perfect, it's a shame to lose that just because of a mis-mark. And, as with any rabbit with "show points" on markings (Mini Rex, Rex, Dutch, Rhinelanders, Checkered Giants, etc.) not all babies will turn out with perfect markings all the time. So don't discount or eliminate a well balanced, good furred rabbit for breeding, just based on the markings. A lightly markedrabbit bred to a heavier marked or solid rabbit will often produce the most perfect markings. And 2 perfectly marked rabbits bred together may produce all solids or poorly marked rabbits.

That's what I find so fascinating about the markings, you can never exactly tell how it's going to turn out. I just hope I'll make the right choices in what offspring to keep for further breeding

 

[BlueGiants]

Once or twice a year is usually fine for keeping a doe fit for breeding. And I do the same thing, I'll breed a doe and her mother at the same time, so they kindle together. I have a doe, Moon Shadow and her daughter Ara both on litters now. Different bucks. Gives me the chance to see how the different buck influence the line.

No matter what, i always breed 2-3 does at the same time. Hopefully all three (orat least two) will kindle and I can foster babies back and forth if need be.

 

[BlueGiants]

Sabine wrote:

That's what I find so fascinating about the markings, you can never exactly tell how it's going to turn out. I just hope I'll make the right choices in what offspring to keep for further breeding

That is why learning a breed standard is so important. Body type, fur and condition are so important, it should be the first influence on your choices for who to keep and future breedings. (Of course, I'd add personality to that too... but I can not in good conscience breed a rabbit with a bad disposition.)

 

[Sabine]

I am not sure if I'll have two does for the first time, since I don't fancy an extra doe. Although I really should, maybe I'll come to an arrangement with another breederto make things safer. It's just so hard to establish contacts in Ireland. There's no breeders network and very few ads and than you still have no guarantee

 

[Sabine]

BlueGiants wrote:

Sabine wrote:

That's what I find so fascinating about the markings, you can never exactly tell how it's going to turn out. I just hope I'll make the right choices in what offspring to keep for further breeding

That is why learning a breed standard is so important. Body type, fur and condition are so important, it should be the first influence on your choices for who to keep and future breedings. (Of course, I'd add personality to that too... but I can not in good conscience breed a rabbit with a bad disposition.)

I'll definately check out the standards so that I have something to measure them by. Although of course the first litters will only be pet standard. The ears alone.... But I do want to use what I have (Magic) rather than a new doe

 

[BlueGiants]

As long as you know what you're working towards...

I'd use Magic and see what she has. And go from there. You're on the right track with all the research you're doing and all that you are learning. By the time Magic is ready to breed, I'm sure you'll be ready too.

 

[Sabine]

That's what I think too. I hope breeders won't tire of my relentless questions
I have full confidence in Magic, her mum (now spayed) was a perfect breeder. We didn't even realize she had the litters. Both mother and daughter are really healthy, they are bonded now and have the run of the garden for most of the day. They are able to follow their natural instincts. I'm sure that helps for breeding. By the time Magic is breeding, benny will be neutered and Coco will have another tenporary companion as I expect Magic maybe being somewhat antisocial when she's expecting or nursing babies

 

[BlueCamasRabbitry]

What breed is Magic?Looks like a mix to me.....:?

What breeds are you planning to breed?

 

[Sabine]

Magic's dad is Nightshade, a broken black dwarf lop. Her mum is Coco (in the picture next to Magic). Coco is a mix with probably lop in her too. By breeding Magic back to her sire I am hoping to reenforce the butterfly pattern and also the lop ears. For further breeding with the offspring I will use another sire (maybe black lop or broken with mainly black)