This is our "In The Nest Box" page, which is sort of a preview for the "Available Bunnies" page. Check the dates to see if the pages have been updated lately. I'll always put a date on the top of the page so you will have a hint as to if the page is anywhere near current or not. There's just me for updating the web pages so it doesn't happen nearly as frequently as it should.
It's been awhile since we've had prospective new litters, but we finally have two females who met up with two males. Woot!
It's been a busy year with all sorts of non-bunny things so we've been lax on getting bunnies organized. It takes quite a bit of research to figure out which bunny should meet up with whom. There aren't a lot of English angoras around so it's important to keep tight records to know how inbred they are. So far we've usually been able to keep it below 25% so that's pretty good.
After figuring out which bunnies can meet up and not be inbred, then the bunnies need to be inspected and sorted by a whole bunch of different criteria. Coat quality, general body condition, age, etc. Then factor in the weather, of all things. If it's been too hot, then the boy bunnies won't be functional so no bunnies at that time. But, finally, the herd has been sorted, the weather has cooled off, there's been time from the ongoing construction project and girl bunnies have met up with boy bunnies.
Hillside Clover
a fawn doe
Hillside Azzie
a black buck
This is a fawn doe, Clover, with a black buck, Azzie. Clover got a haircut and so did Azzie, for that matter. It's much more likely for a litter to appear if both parents get a haircut before meeting up. At least, with angora rabbits.
As far as possible colors in this litter, providing it shows up, of course - Azzie's color genes are aa B_ Cc D_ E_. Clover has Aa B_ C_ D_ ee. So, it's possible to see Agouti, which is the wild rabbit color. Since Clover also has the recessive for 'solids', some blacks are possible. Other than that, there aren't any known matching recessives, so we don't know what else can show up. But, all the underline areas in their color gene charts indicate and unknown, there's a lot we don't know about their possible colors.
Clover is less than a year and a half old, Azzie is three years and seven months. Neither one of them have any descendents yet, so hopefully there will be some offspring who survive. Baby bunnies are really delicate and it works best if the mom is a "proven doe" who has successfully had a litter and raised them. But, she has to start somewhere so we are hoping for a good outcome.
Hillside Amy
an agouti doe
Hillside Ayden
a black buck
This second litter is between Hillside Ayden and Hillside Amy. Amy has successfully litters before, so we are hopeful that she will do it again. Here is a picture of one of her previous litters when they were three days old. This litter was with a fawn buck, Alexander. This upcoming litter is with a black buck, Ayden.
Amy is an "agouti" which is the "wild rabbit" color and the most dominant color pattern in rabbits. Ayden is black, which is possibly the second most dominant color in rabbits. We will have to compare their genetic color codes to see if what other possible colors may appear in this litter. Should they have the litter, of course.
Amy's genetic color code is Aa B_C_Dd Ee. Ayden's is aa Bb C_D_E_. So, we don't know of any specific recessives that may match up. This could be an all agouti and black litter.
What doesn't show up in the genetic color code is the exquisite texture of Ayden's wool. It is incredibly soft and silky in texture. Not that English angoras have harsh fiber to begin with, but Ayden's is over the top for soft and silky. He also molts very readily so it is very easy to harvest. He will be siring a few more litters, hopefully, especially if these traits breed true.
Just a side note, anyone who is raising rabbits - or any other livestock for that matter - and wants a great database, check out 'Kintracks'. It's really goood to have data and details on the whole herd when making decisions.