best breed for me

Reed77 · #1 05/29/11, 04:37 PM

I'm wanting to start showing and raising meat rabbits, but I'm trying to decide what breed is best for me. needs to be really weather hardy hot and cold, and medium/large in size. any ideas?

brandkelz · #2 05/29/11, 04:48 PM

Check out what is locally around you that you are willing to drive. For me, for example, I am willing to drive 4 hours round trip if need be and around here New Zealand Whites and Californians are popular and easy to get so that is what I have. I dont show and the meat is just for my family, so we arent worried about particular breeds. I know NZW tend to be skittish and mean. I have heard of some people having problems with Californian's tempers, but mine are fine.

SquashNut · #3 05/29/11, 05:27 PM

In California there are lots of breeders of all kinds. The rabbits personalities are as nice as they are treated. My first NZW were mean, but after a generation of my raising them they calmed down. But I got mine from a lady who didn't handle hers much.

LoneStrChic23 · #4 05/30/11, 02:18 PM

I've not had that luck with NZW. I've only had one that was nice.....the others were nasty.

Purchased or bred by me....different lines all ended up the same.

My Rexs, born here & ones purchased as adults....sweet as could be, easy to handle....Even my cali x Rex cross kits I never messed with were easy going & not mean..

My Satins were sweet & mellow, my florida whites were easy to work with....

Californians & NZW though must have a built in hatred for me though.... I showed both for 3 years in HS, had them 2 other times as an adult & out of all those bunnies, I had ONE nice buck.

Sadly they are the most common rabbits in my area unless you want mini's or dwarfs.... So I'm going to be stuck driving a few hours for new stock once I get my rabbit area rebuilt...

LoneStrChic23 · #5 05/30/11, 02:20 PM

Oh & your area you should have luck finding a nice variety of breeds.... I REALLY wanted Silver Foxes, and the closest breeder I could find was in California...

Falls-Acre · #6 05/31/11, 10:06 AM

I'll throw another in the mix... Havana is a very nice moderately sized breed. Grows well, raises fairly easily, and has a good flavor. They can be a little more difficult to locate, but if you are wanting to save a little on space and feed expectations, it's an excellent breed.

Fat Man · #7 05/31/11, 03:10 PM

Check with your county fair, there may be a 4Her with some extra fryers after the fair.