Every week I remove a kit from a litter of meat rabbits I'm growing out to take its picture. When handling and looking at it, it occured to me that it was rather thin. Not that it was unhealthy, of course, but it didn't have the meat/bone ratio I need them to have. There's at least one other similar kit as well. I haven't seen a litter that was this bony, though. I assume the problem lies in the Flemish that was introduced about four generations ago. I'm not replacing my meat herd right now, but I am wondering if there's anything I can do.


Last year, I gave all my meat rabbits bean sprouts to bulk them up. They enjoyed them immensely and ate every sprout before disgarding the beans, but wasn't able to determine if it had any effect on them. Their bodies change so much in a few months that they could have easily changed into entirely different rabbits by then, at least in regards to body type.


I'm hoping to get a hold of an American Chinchilla soon. To those who don't know, the Am Chin is a rare breed which also happens to make an excellent meat and fur rabbit. I would love a chinchilla colored one, but I would also enjoy playing with the white(REW aka Ruby Eyed White) "sports" I could get. I am hoping to raise high-quality REW and chinchilla-colored ones, although the REW ones obviously can't be called chinchilla. They have no chinchilla markings.I'm wondering about breeding a buck into my meat rabbits, as they are supposed to have a high meat-to-bone ratio. Even if I never do, though, I really can't wait to get some if I can, just because I really think it's a breed which is worth having and saving.