couple of questions.

grumpy · #1 10/03/09, 07:30 AM

a bit of background.

first, i bought a litter of NZW's a few months ago from a breeder close by. four does and a buck. put them in grow out pens and went about my daily business of caring for them as i do all of the rabbits. they were kindled on 5-19-09.

they have gotten big enough to be put into their permanent pens. so, that's what i did day before yesterday. except, i noticed something "strange" with the buck. i didn't notice it when i bought him. he is "stone-blind"! cannot see a thing! but, he has flourished in his smaller pen and has grown out quite well.

i ran into the breeder i bought him from last night at our high school football game. we were visiting, as parents do, and i made the offhand comment about the buck being "blind". what he said sent a "chill" through me. "OH, his dad's that way too!" holy christmas, was my thought. i didn't like what i heard at all. what about the "recessive-genetics" of his sisters? they all appear to have good sight. yet now, i have my doubts about the entire litter.

suggestions, anyone?

second: yesterday was the first day i had to wear a "jacket" in the rabbitry. it was a red and black plaid color. some of my rabbits were definately upset with the change of my appearance and showed their dislike in various fashions. some, to the point of striking out, when they have never done that to me before.

has anyone noticed changes in their rabbits because of the colors of clothing they wear? they could have been a bit skittish yesterday because of the howling winds that were present.

grumpy.

SFM in KY · #2 10/03/09, 07:43 AM

Some of mine will react to a change in clothing, I've noticed it with the "hat or no hat" more than colors ... although one of the things I do is start talking to them before I actually get to the cages, so they respond to my voice.

They definitely do react to strangers, though ...

Silver Marten · #3 10/03/09, 08:33 AM

I would not breed the buck but there is always a chance that the bucks sisters do not carry for blindness. I would try breeding the does. If any of them have kits that are blind cull them.

jil101ca · #4 10/03/09, 08:41 AM

Why did you buy them? Are they for meat? If so then that the fact that the buck is blind really has not bearing. He doesn't know he is blind and making blind kits will not affect how they taste. I would keep him and see how he does.

If you plan on selling your rabbits for anything other than meat then yes cull him, same would go for the does, breed them and see what happens.

ladysown · #5 10/03/09, 09:47 AM

that's what i'd do. I'd breed them and see how they go. Sight isn't going to change meat taste. BUT if you're going to sell/show...get different stock.

vikav · #6 10/03/09, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jil101ca

Why did you buy them? Are they for meat? If so then that the fact that the buck is blind really has not bearing. He doesn't know he is blind and making blind kits will not affect how they taste. I would keep him and see how he does.

If you plan on selling your rabbits for anything other than meat then yes cull him, same would go for the does, breed them and see what happens.

I agree with that, but I'd still be on a lookout for a new buck. If some of the kits are blind, they potentially may have some difficulty competing for food with their siblings, and so not grow out as well. I'd still breed them, but try to slowly replace them all, starting with the buck.

grumpy · #7 10/03/09, 06:04 PM

the buck is going to the freezer. i've got two other NZW bucks. just wanted him for one or two crosses onto some does to give me a slightly different line. my main concern is the does.

at four months, one weighs eight pounds, three ounces. she's gonna be a dandy. but the "blindness" gene has me worried. i'll just keep an eye on the does and if any of them throw this in thier offspring, they'll head to the freezer also. i can't see any sense in perpetuating a problem that can be easily solved. i was wondering if anyone else had experienced the same problem.

grumpy.

DevonGlen · #8 10/03/09, 06:15 PM

I would cull them if you plan on selling or showing their offspring, but if it's just for meat, as has been said it has no effect on the taste of the meat.

Rabbits can seem certain colours of the spectrum we see (mainly blue and green, and I think red but I can't remember for sure). My rabbits usually get excited if I'm wearing blue or green.

turtlehead · #9 10/03/09, 09:01 PM

Sorry about the blind buck

My rabbits are in a colony. Usually they are all over me, chewing on my shoes, sniffing my legs, seeing if I've brought fresh greens.

If I wear a poncho, they don't know me and they take cover.
If I go out there at the "wrong" time of day... they don't know me and they take cover.

Rabbits are not the sharpest tool in the shed.

o&itw · #10 10/03/09, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by grumpy

the buck is going to the freezer. i've got two other NZW bucks. just wanted him for one or two crosses onto some does to give me a slightly different line. my main concern is the does.

at four months, one weighs eight pounds, three ounces. she's gonna be a dandy. but the "blindness" gene has me worried. i'll just keep an eye on the does and if any of them throw this in thier offspring, they'll head to the freezer also. i can't see any sense in perpetuating a problem that can be easily solved. i was wondering if anyone else had experienced the same problem.

grumpy.

I agree. There are plenty of NZW bucks out there. It is not as if it is a super rare rabbit. It may be a recessive gene or it may be a sex-linked gene, but if it is genetic, it is not a gene that really needs to be running around in the world to pop up later.