Key Points for Selecting Breeding Rabbits
📝 Summary
Breeding stock is the core of a rabbitry, so selection must be planned and scientific. For meat rabbits check growth, feed conversion (2.8–3.2:1), conception rate (≥85%), litter size (≥6–8) and weaning survival (≥80%). For wool rabbits judge yield, density, length and evenness; for rex rabbits judge color purity, fur that is short, flat, fine, dense and secure, and adult weight above 3.5 kg. Always verify the animal's health.
1 Selecting Breeding Rabbits by Type
Key points for breeding rabbits of different uses:
I. Meat Rabbits
1. Weight. Meat rabbits should grow fast; choose 70-day-old rabbits weighing 2–2.5 kg.
2. Feed conversion. A high feed-conversion ratio — ideally (2.8–3.2):1 — indicates better quality.
3. Other traits. (a) Conception rate should be above 85%. (b) Average litter size should be 6–8 or more. (c) Weaning survival should be above 80%. Also weigh dressing percentage and meat yield.
II. Wool Rabbits (Angora)
1. Wool performance. (a) Yield: over a 73-day growth period, take the 5-month clip amount times 5; a good breed yields at least 1 kg. (b) Density: check by hand-grab and the blow test — a thick, even coat that shows no skin when blown means high density. (c) Length: good wool grows about 1 mm a day, roughly 3 cm in 30 days. (d) Evenness: the coat should be even all over; a sparse patch disqualifies the animal.
2. Wool type. The long-haired rabbit’s coat should be white, soft and dense, with a coarse-hair content of 15–20%.
3. Body shape. A good long-haired rabbit is large, with full hindquarters, a compact front and rear, a deep wide chest, a straight back and a sturdy look.
4. Adaptability. Choose breeds with longer development, wide distribution and good adaptability; avoid experimental-stage varieties.
III. Rex Rabbits (Fur)
1. Color. The coat color must match the breed standard and be pure; mixed color is not suitable for breeding.
2. Fur quality. (a) Short: ideal length 1.6–1.8 cm; above 2.2 cm is not good. (b) Flat: length should be uniform, the whole coat neat and even with a smooth surface; many guard hairs protruding above the underfur should be rejected. (c) Fine: good rex has thin fibers, few guard hairs — guard hair 4–7% of total, underfur 93–96%, average fineness 16–19 microns; values far off these should be rejected. (d) Dense: good rex fur is very dense, 16,000–38,000 hairs per cm² or more. (e) Secure: the underfur does not shed easily and the pelt is tough.
3. Weight. Fur area depends on body weight, so a good adult rex should weigh above 3.5 kg.
These are the standards for choosing and introducing breeding rabbits; we hope they give you a reference direction. Also, when introducing stock, check the rabbit’s health closely to make sure it meets the breed standard and is in good condition.
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