What is a good breed of meat rabbit to get for ffa

-- (Desiree_16@hotmail.com), January 21, 2002

Answers

Desiree, Hopefullt Pat will be along[she is a wealth of information, Thanks PAT] I would guess that a New Zealand or Californian would be the best choices. After doing alot of research I decided on the New Zealands. I am not really that familliar with the FFA.

-- tracy (murfette@stargate.net), January 21, 2002.

Desiree, My daughter used Californians for her FFA meat project and did very well. She still sells Californians to the local 4-h'ers for their meat pens for the fair. New Zealands and Satins are great too. New Zealands have a faster growth rate, but Californains often have a more finished fryer for the competions. In this area Satins are a close third. At our past fair Grand Champion was a Satin fryer. Any of these three breeds would do well. It helps to know the lines and growth rates. Denise

-- Denise K. (Rabbitmom2@webbworks.com), January 21, 2002.

I have to agree with Denise (above), but again, much depends on the purpose of the breed to be raised. For example, if the competition at the local fairs is the ultimate goal, then, I would go with the Californians. It often takes considerable expertise and time to get the New Zealands to the point of being able to actually compete and beat out those nice, rounded Californians, although it can and has been done.

The drawback on Californians is that they are a slightly smaller breed, and as such, will most often take an extra week or two of feeding to reach marketable weights, and which, in turn, means extra money for feeding. Californians are a psuedo-albino breed and may not be accepted by all processors, although the majority will prefer NZW's and Californians.

I hope this helps!

Pat Lamar

-- Pat Lamar (fuzyfarm@3-cities.com), January 21, 2002.