Top Quality Meat Rabbit Breeds Overview

1. New Zealand White Rabbit

The New Zealand White Rabbit originated from a selective breeding process initiated by the British, who chose certain white, meaty, and highquality individuals from the New Zealand Red Rabbit population. These were then crossed with French Lops to create the breed we know today. The New Zealand White Rabbit has become a staple in both meat and laboratory rabbit farming. Characterized by its pure white fur, pink eyes, a small head, upright ears, and a medium, cylindrical body shape with a rounded rump and strong limbs, this breed also features a dewlap under the chin in female rabbits. Adult New Zealand White Rabbits weigh between 4 to 5 kilograms and typically give birth to 7 to 8 kits per litter. Known for their rapid early development, these rabbits can weigh between 2.5 to 2.7 kilograms at just 3 months of age. They are prized for their high meat yield, tender flesh, excellent fur quality, strong disease resistance, and high reproductive rates.

2. Belgian Rabbit

Originating from Belgium, the Belgian Rabbit was later introduced to the UK and has been bred to become a large meat breed. The Belgian Rabbit boasts a standard brownish fur and is often referred to as the Belgian Wild Rabbit due to its color similarity to wild rabbits. With black eyes, large, upright ears, and a glossy black fur edge on the tips, this breed stands out with its larger size and longer limbs compared to other rabbits. At 3 months old, a Belgian Rabbit can weigh between 2.5 to 2.8 kilograms, and adults typically weigh between 5.5 to 6.5 kilograms.

The Belgian Rabbit is renowned for its rapid growth, hardiness, adaptability, welldeveloped muscles, and robust body. However, it has its drawbacks: a high feed requirement and a higher likelihood of foot diseases in cage conditions. As a result, many commercial rabbit farms use the Belgian Rabbit primarily as a sire breed, crossbreeding it with smaller female rabbits to produce commercial meat rabbits.

3. California Rabbit

The California Rabbit hails from California, USA, and is a mediumsized standard meat rabbit breed, renowned worldwide. Its fur is predominantly white, with only the ears, nose, lower limbs, and tail being black or brown, earning it the nickname "EightPoint Black" Rabbit. However, kits are born with entirely white fur, and the black or brown spots appear after their first moult. The California Rabbit has small, upright ears, a medium build, and a plump hindquarters. Adult male California Rabbits weigh between 3.6 to 4.5 kilograms, while adult females weigh between 3.9 to 4.8 kilograms, with a litter size of 7 to 8 kits.

This breed excels in rapid early weight gain, welldeveloped muscles, adaptability, and disease resistance. Female California Rabbits are known for their gentle and docile nature, excellent mothering instincts, high milk production, and high nursing rates, earning them the moniker "Nanny Rabbit." The California Rabbit breed is genetically stable and is often crossed with the New Zealand White Rabbit to produce commercial meat rabbits.

For more information on excellent rabbit breeds, stay tuned for future posts by Oxygen Pet Doctor!