Breeding a GRAY dutch with ANOTHER variety of dutch?

Question

Before, I asked about breeding a gray dutch with a black dutch, and the answer I got was that the babies will come out either color, not mixed.

Now I'm wondering if it's the same breeding a different color of dutch with my gray dutch?

(I'm asking because I'm trying to find a buck to breed with my doe, and I don't want babies with messed up colors)

Answer 1

Well, there are no guaranteed answers when you start mixing colors, but there are factors to consider that can, shall we say.... increase the odds of this or that.

When I was breeding rabbits, I found the study of genetics to be absolutely fascinating.  What I remember is, when you introduce a rabbit with black coloring, the black gene tends to dominate. (We were trying to create a new breed, a 'silver marten angora' .  We (they) produced some very excellent bunns, but we couldn't get them to reproduce the same traits.)

But, factors to consider are; in my experience, the buck's 'genetic contribution'  tends to be stronger than the doe's.

So, odds are, if you have a black dutch buck, and a grey dutch doe,  most, if not all the bunns will be black dutch.

It is when the bunns start breeding out of their 'color' that the results can become more unpredictable.

If you don't want 'messed up' colors, the best thing of course, is to find a gray dutch buck.

Now that I've said all this, I wonder why you're breeding her ? Do you plan to show the bunns? You can't show them if you're considering mixing colors. Do you belong to 4-H? Do you have homes for the bunns when they come of age? Very important things to think about.

If your girl is a pet bunny,  the very best thing you can do for her is to have her spayed and get her a spayed or neutered bunny buddy.

It's the best thing you can do for her, yourself and everyone else and here’s why:

First there are the medical reasons: In unspayed females uterine cancer is as high as 80% after age five.   Be sure the vet takes both the ovaries and uterus to avoid reproductive cancer altogether.

Then there is behavior: Both males and females will spray urine and not just on each other.  They will mark the carpet with it and any place else they can spray including you.  Also, both males and females with mark territory with their f***s.  Males and females can charge, grunt, bite, scratch and be very aggressive.   Having your rabbit altered with make her calmer and a lot less aggressive.

She will have a longer, happier, healthier life if you do.

And there are already so many poor, sad, lonely and abandoned bunnies just dying for a chance to find a loving home to call their own.

Do think carefully before making your decision.  Bunnies live 10 to 12 years !  That's a very long time to live a life where nobody wants you :-(

Answer 2

You ask a very good, and very important question.  There are different kinds of "grays" in Dutch - blue and gray.  So make sure it is actually a gray and not a blue.  I'm not that familiar with the Dutch.  I think I'd stay away from chocolate and Tort for sure.  Breeding an Agouti (gray Dutch are Agoutis) to a Shaded (Tort Dutch are Shadeds) is a big no-no.  You'll get "Shagoutis" - shaded agoutis and that's an unshowable color for any breed.  Breeding to black would be safe.  

My advice is visit the American Dutch Rabbit Club's website and search their articles, contact the club secretary with your question, or find a breeder (from their list) near you and ask them for genetics advice.  Don't be shy.  You'll be amazed how friendly rabbit exhibitors are and how willing they are to talk rabbits.

If you are thinking about showing and breeding you should join the American Rabbit Breeder Association (the AKC of the rabbit world) as well as your breed club (ADRC).  You'll get the ARBA's official guidebook (very good), a subscription to Domestic Rabbits magazine (membership fee is well worth the articles alone).  Your breed club may have a handbook for members, too.  

Answer 3

The kits  can come out gray, black, or a mix.  hope this helps.  Good luck 2u.