I know that cals/nz makes a good cross for meat rabbits. What about chinns and nz. Not only for meat but for optimum growth rates. These are destine for snake food so the meat aspect is not that important. I want the fastes growth rate to reach 1 lb. My NZ have been reaching that at 3 - 4 weeks. Would crossing these get me a faster growth, The chins I got seeem very docile and easy to handle compared to the NZ. The lady I got them from stated she had a hard time getting them bred. She was breeding chin to chin though. I am thinking female chin to NZ buck? Any Thoughts?

-- tracy (murfette@stargate.net), April 06, 2002

Answers

Tracy... I would have to say that a lot depends on which Chinchilla breed is used. You see, there are three different Chinchilla rabbit breeds, and each one is a different size: American Chinchilla (9 to 12 lbs.); Giant Chinchilla (12 to 15 lbs.), and the Standard Chinchilla (5 to 7-1/2 lbs.).

Using the Standard Chin would result in smaller rabbits with slower growth rates. Using the Giant Chinchilla would result in faster growth rates, but with larger, heavier bone in the fryer stages. Using the American Chinchilla would result in the same growth rates as New Zealands, since they are both the same size.

You can increase growth rates merely by choosing a good sized buck in the breed of choice. A good buck can do wonders for one's entire herd! No need to even outcross when attempting to increase growth rates.

Remember... the purpose of the "Smutts" (offspring from mating Cal buck to NZW doe) was NOT for faster growth rates, but for improved meat quality!

Pat Lamar

-- Pat Lamar (fuzyfarm@3-cities.com), April 06, 2002.

These are giant chinns. I am looking at fastests growth rate, ie, lbs. If I can consistently reach a 1 lb growth rate in 3 weeks I will be very happy. Meat to bone ratio is not a factor.

-- tracy (murfete@stargate.net), April 06, 2002.

Back in 1981 I had the idea bigger was better. I had many giants I was trying to get a larger rabbit with. Crossing with the white rabbits we had. I did get the larger bunnies I was seeking. Be careful what you ask for. Sometime you get it. I found myself with a barn full of rabbits that eat more than I could pay for. It was costing more for feed than we could sell the rabbits for. Ever since I have worked to develope a smaller more feed efficient animal. I have achived this. My 7 pound breeders now will grow just as fast as anybody's rabbit and at a lot less feed.We raise rabbits to make a full time living and have to be efficient.

-- Dean Goforth (go4th@ardeng.net), April 06, 2002.

If the meat-to-bone ratio is not an option, AND you don't mind paying for the extra feed for the larger rabbits (like Dean mentioned), then yes, crossing with a Giant Chin should produce fryers with slightly faster growth rates. In fact, these are what are known as the "B-10" commercial strain of rabbits which resulted as an offshoot of the once popular NZW x Flemish Giant crosses.

Long story about all this, but it boiled down to being promoted as "this is how to raise meat rabbits" by a lot of unknowledgeable people. They simply didn't know that you had to carry the crossing to at least 3 generations if using a giant breed to cross with for meat purposes. Old habits die hard.

I do have to say, however... for those catering solely to the BARF and reptile markets, the Giant Breeds may be coming into their own, again, as a major marketing rabbit. With the lower meat-to-bone ratios during the fryer stages and heavier bones, they are quite ideal for the BARF markets.

Pat Lamar

-- Pat Lamar (fuzyfarm@3-cities.com), April 06, 2002.