FANCY-MEAT-FUR
With these three uses of rabbits, there are a variety of breeds used to meet these needs. Here are some examples of the different breeds used for these uses:
Meat:
New Zealand - Californian - Satin - Flemish Giant - French Lop - English Lop - and more
These rabbits are raised specifically for meat. These are the breeds you see at the fairs for market projects. These are also the breeds that will grow to be larger. Any breed can be used for meat, but these breeds are best suited for the purpose as they grow faster and produce larger carcass size when processed.
Ever eat rabbit meat? You may surprise yourself if you have not tried it. Rabbit meat is 100% white meat, very lean and full of protein. My favorite rabbit dishes are rabbit nuggets, fried rabbit with mashed potatoes and gravy, baked chicken on top of broccoli rice and shredded BBQ rabbit.
Fur:
Satin - Mini Satin - Rex - Mini Rex - English, French, Satin, Giant Angoras - Jersey Wooly - Fuzzy Lop
These fellows are judged on their fur conditions besides the various other elements. Some of them are even used commercially for this purpose. Ever see a very soft sweater in a store that you just have to touch- well next time see what it is made of- a lot of time these have some angora in them!
Fancy:
Dutch - Netherland Dwarf - Rex- Mini Rex- Holland Lop - Mini Lop- well heck just about everything else!
These little guys are not only all over the show tables but many of these guys end up in pet homes as well. Fancy rabbits are smaller than market and easier to care for due to less maintance than the wool breeds.
Want to see photos of the variety of breeds that are recognized by the ARBA, click here. Many of these breeds come in a variety of colors as well. Mind you, these are not all of the breeds that rabbits come in, as there are breeds out there not recognized or are working breeds, such as lionhead, that will hopefully someday added into the ARBA.
