Silver fox is an American heritage breed developed by Walter B. Garland in Ohio. It is believed to be a cross of checkered giants, champagne d'argents and English silver or American blue.
American Rabbit Breeder Association recognized the breed in 1925 for both blue and black coloring. The blue coloring was dropped as a recognized breed in the 1970s due to low numbers. Silver fox is one of the rarest breeds in the U.S. It is considered a threatened breed by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy.
I have both black and blue does and a black buck. I have been a member of the ARBA for many years.
uses
Silver fox are a true multi-use breed. They are considered one of the best pet rabbits for small children and the elderly due to their sweet natures and larger size. They can handle a bit more roughness than other, smaller breeds.
Silver fox are the only rabbit to have the unique standup coat. If smoothed in the wrong direction, it will stand up and stay until smoothed back down. The fur is highly valued for this property and the black/silver coloring.
Bred as a commercial fur and meat rabbit, they are large in size and reach maturity for butcher at 16 weeks with a finish weight around 2.5 lbs.
The rarity of silver fox makes them a unique addition for showing. With standard confirmation and no special care required, they are an easy show rabbit to raise.
raising and care
As a large breed rabbit, a MINIMUM cage space of 30x36 inches is needed per rabbit, more for breeding does that will have to be housed with many kits for 8 weeks.
Silver fox do not require any special care. However, they handle cold much better than heat. If housed outside, wrap the hutch in plastic when it gets below freezing to help insulate and keep the wind off. I add a piece of insulation board on top of the hutch as well. Provide a nest box and fill with hay or straw, if they don't have a hidey-house, to give them a more insulated space to go. Ensure that proper cross ventilation is still provided. In the summer, providing a fan, frozen jugs of water to cuddle with, and frozen veggies to nibble on are helpful. Placing the hutch in deep shade is recommended.
Standard care for rabbits is feeding 70% hay and 30% pellets, fruits and vegetables. Hay helps keep their teeth filed down, but adding a block or stick of wood for them to chew on is advised. Mineral and salt blocks provide any additional trace minerals they may need. Fresh, clean water should always be available. Sanitize food containers and water bottles weekly with a mild vinegar solution.
Toenails should be clipped as needed. Never bathe a rabbit. Brush and spot clean with a wet cloth as needed. Brush a couple times a week when shedding.
Ear mites can be eliminated with a dropper of oil placed into the ear and massaged around for a few days in a row. Fly strike may occur for those housed outside. Fleas and ticks are also possible. There are many non-toxic herbal remedies to keep insects off of your rabbits. Flea and tick medications and shampoos for kittens NOT DOGS OR CATS, can be used by weight. ALWAYS check with your vet before using any medication, even over-the-counter, on any animal.
Rabbits can be raised on small wire, but a wooden platform or box should be provided where they can get off of it. Bedding should be kept clean, and removed and replaced weekly. Rabbits will use a litter pan if provided. I should say most rabbits. I've had teen boy rabbits be just as bad at keeping their pee in the right spot as teenage human boys. Splash guards are recommended.
Rabbits like their freedom time. A friend of mine built a bunny play pen out of concrete 3 feet up and 2 feet below ground where she lets her rabbits out daily. She has a lot of "toys" such as culvert pipe for them to run through, things to chew, different substrates to dig through. Boy and girls separate. However, it is also a good place for breeding time. She has a lot of rabbits.
If kept as an inside pet, they readily use a litter pan and are easily trained by just placing their poop in it and sanitizing any area they used out of it. Rabbits chew. This is the biggest issue with letting them free range the house. Keep an eye out that they don't chew through wires, on furniture, or other items you don't want damaged. I had one that was loose in our family business and one day we lost the landline. Not good when you are running a business. Yep, Stanley had chewed through it. Also know that rabbits can be attention divas and if loose, they can be very demanding for pets and holding. They can be underfoot and tripping you as bad as any cat.
As with any animal, if your rabbit is not eating, lethargic or just "off," a trip to the vet is needed.
breeding
Silver fox are excellent mothers. Breeding age is 6 months or when full weight is achieved. The males can become fertile at 16 weeks, but may shoot blanks until 6 months. I have had them fertile at 4 months, so the kits need to be separated by sex before 16 weeks if you will not be butchering.
In general, bucks will go at a doe with lightening fast speed and freeze and fall off her to the side when he's done. Not all males do this, and not all the time, but it is the best indicator of a successful breeding. I try for 3 fall-offs before removing the doe. If I'm not sure of the success, the age of the male is young or he's inexperienced, or I'm just wanting to ensure success, then I will put them together again the next day for another breeding session.
Does can be bred up to four times a year. Gestation for silver fox is 31 days. A nest box with nesting materials of shredded paper, hay or straw, should be placed in with the doe 3 days prior to kindling [birth] date. On average, this breed kindles 6-8 kits.
butchering
As with most large breed meat rabbits, butchering is done at 16 weeks, with an average butcher weight of around 2.5 lbs.
Rabbits are one of the easiest, least space, least time, and least costly, meats you can raise. Butchering is straight forward and when experienced, it seriously takes just a couple minutes to complete a rabbit.
This is my favorite video on butchering rabbits. Graphic. Don't open if butchering is not your thing.
Skins can be salted and stored in the freezer for later processing. This is my favorite video on tanning hides. She also has a video on alum tanning.
final thoughts
There's a reason I've been a life long rabbit mom. They are quiet, easy on feed and care, sweet and fluffy pets, easily contained, and have few health problems. I have been very pleased with this silver fox breed. While I love my fluffy French angoras, they are WORK. These rabbits I pretty much just get to enjoy. I highly recommend the breed.
specs
Breed size: Large
Size F: 12 lbs.
Size M: 11 lbs.
Temperament: Exceptionally docile
Lifespan: 7-10 years
Uses: One of the best pet rabbits, show, fur, meat, commercial meat
Confirmation: Commercial, well-filled, straight hindquarters, short shoulders
Fur: Dense and unique short standing coat
Fur care: No special care required
Colors: Black common, and blue not common, chocolate, lilac and white rare, only black recognized for showing
Mothering; Excellent
Average offspring: 6-8
Feed: 70% hay; 30% mix of pellets, vegetables, fruit
Special dietary: None
Accessibility: One of the rarest breeds in the United States
Cost: Average $65 start and well over $100 for well pedigreed show quality
https://northernnester.com/silver-fox-rabbit/#:~:text=The%20average%20price%20for%20a,can%20influence%20the%20exact%20price.
No comments:
Post a Comment