About Dr. Stephen Roush Expertise Can answer any questions on rabbit coat color genetics, showing and shows, rabbit registration, and rabbit judging
Experience Licensed ARBA Rabbit registrar for 26 years, ARBA Judge for 23 years, Have judged over 500 rabbit shows. Past chairman of ARBA Judges Educ. Committee, past member of Standards Committee, Past Cahirman of ARBA Commercial Committee, have written over 50 articles on the subject of rabbit production and genetics, purebred breeder for 30+ years. Currently have small 64 hole rabbitry, automatic waterers, etc.
Organizations American Rabbit Breeders Association, Minirex Rabbit Club, Georgia State Rabbit Breeders Association, NW Ga. RBA
Publications ARBA Domestic Rabbits magazine, Rabbits magazine, ARBA Judges website, Minirex news, Many other specialty breed newsletters, edited 3rd Holland Lop guidebook, 5th American Chin Guidebook
Education/Credentials Doctorate in Adult Ed.(Va. Tech), Masters in Agricultural Education (Va. Tech), Bachelor of Science in Animal Science (NE Mo. State University)
Question hi, I have a little mini rex female fully grown rabbit... shes about 7 months old, I want to have a litter or two of babies, I can't afford another mini rex and dont want to "hire a stud" don't get me wrong I can afford everything they'llneed but mini rexes are wuite a bit around here, anyways I've found an ad of bunnies for sale, I called she said there normal sized crossed with dwarfs..... could I get a male from her and breed it to my mini rex when hes grown up?
Answer If you tell me where you are located, I'll bet that there is a minirex breeder nearby that will let you breed to a buck for nothing. I currently have 17 adult minirex bucks in all colors and this is usually no problem. Especially, the issue is with pedigrees...if the person with the doe doesn't want a pedigreed litter, then there is really not a problem. Mini Rex breeders are everywhere and they are usually very receptive to people with Pet Mini's. As for your original question, yes. That would work..but you can breed her to any adult male rabbit and get offspring for pets. The doe is what regulates the birth size of the babies, not the size of the male. If you want more Mini Rex, you can breed your doe to any male rabbit, then keep a little buck from her litter. (All babies will have the longer, normal (non-rex) fur.) When he is about 5 months old, breed him back to her, and 50% of the forthcoming babies will be rex coated and look like original Mini Rex. There are no genetic problems with breeding a son back to mother in rabbits, as the domestic rabbits are genetically strong, and there are few lethal genes. The only lethal gene in Minirex is the 'double dwarf' gene, which causes very small runts who rarely survive. However, you'll find about one in six of these, regardless of whether the parents are related or not.... I hope I am not being insensitive to your situation. I have a large rabbitry and have raised rabbits for 30+ years. I usually produce more than 200 babies a year on the low side , and ~300 on the high side...so this gets a little more regular for me... Let me know what town/city you are located in, and I'll try to surface a local club or breeder for you to contact. Regards, Steve
