Rabbits serve three main purposes: to produce meat, to produce pelts, and to be companions. 

These are the three factors that influence my decisions when I pick breeders and decide on pairings for breeding. The first two factors (meat and pelt) are my highest priority considerations. Temperament is my last consideration as I do not breed for pets. It is still an influence though. Let’s get into more detail about these considerations. 

Meat production- This category is actually made up of two parts. Part one is the physical size of the rabbit measured by weight and how fast they put that weight on. There is a standard ideal for meat rabbits that they weigh 5 pounds (ideal butcher weight) by 8-10 weeks of age. 

The second, and more important part is body conformation. There are standards for this ideal call the “Standards of Perfection” for each breed of rabbit. While the SOP covers a number of things including fur and nail color it also shows a desired body shape. For meat rabbits, this conformation to the SOP yields optimum meat production. 

Pelt production- I have two breeds of rabbit that I focus on. While both do produce meat and pelt, my Silver Foxes are the ones I strive to have a petter quality of pelt. The breed was designed for this purpose and it means that there are a few extra factors that I look at when considering my Silver Fox breeders. 

Along with SOP indications such as fur length and behavior, I am looking at my own ideals for colors and silvering. I am looking at the genetic background of my rabbits to determine what color combinations each one will potentially yield and if that color is something that I desire. 

For my Silver Foxes, my color focus in on blacks, with secondary considerations for Blue and REW (red-eyed white). With my meat mutt New Zealands, I am happy with a variety of colors and keep a broken opal and sable for reasons that they each produce a wide variety of color combinations that I enjoy without having a set focus in that area. 

Lastly, let’s talk about breeding for companionable and well tempered rabbits. Depending on the intended purpose of breeding, some people have different ideals of the temperament they desire. Some people who breed for meat prefer rabbits who are less friendly so that they can remain better detached through the culling process. Pet breeders prefer the most friendly rabbits because their aim is that they are able to market their animals to other people as companions. I personally fall in a middle ground where I enjoy having friendly rabbits but still perform regular culling as necessary for my meat and pelt production. 

Temperament is the last thing I truly consider when picking a breeder to keep. I have been lucky to have mostly very friendly rabbits who love attention and people. My rabbits aren’t perfect and I have a lot that I will be trying to improve upon as I continue breeding. In time, I will reach the goals and standards that I’m striving for.