These rabbits are very social and are able to form close bonds with other rabbits and human carers.You can also keep more than one New Zealand rabbit together safely, although you should make sure they are fixed or same-gender unless you want lots of little bunnies!Their relatively large size also makes New Zealand rabbit breeds a great pet choice for kids, because they are hardy and can tolerate the process of being handled with less finesse by a child caregiver.Best of all, since the New Zealand rabbit has short fur, they don’t need any special grooming attention like long haired rabbit breeds do. These giant rabbits can weigh 14 pounds or more.To learn more about the true Flemish giant rabbit, a gentle giant of a rabbit breed which can be crossbred with the New Zealand rabbit to make the New Zealand giant rabbit we refer to here, New Zealand rabbits bred commercially tend to outgrow rabbits bred for show, which is often due to breeding conditions as well as bloodlines. Most rabbit owners agree that timothy hay is the best bang for your buck, but orchard hay is also acceptable and the occasional alfalfa grass is also beneficial. The doe in your first picture is a color called Chinchilla. These furry, fluffy cuties sure are difficult to resist!Of course, it is always a smart idea to make sure you have an exotic or livestock vet lined up before you bring home a New Zealand rabbit. The “broken” coloration means that the rabbit will have color patches all over the body rather than one single solid color. The box should be heavy enough that doe can't turn it over or drag it around.
Overgrown teeth, for example, is a common problem in pet rabbits which is mostly diet-related. Coat Color Albino Colony Overview Charles River adheres to strict biosecurity practices when breeding our New Zealand White (NZW) rabbits to ensure the highest standards in health and genetics. They enjoy being handled and are rather easy-going, which makes them a great family pet for couples who have younger or older children.These bunnies are also calm and friendly, making them great starter pets as well for singles, couples or seniors who are looking for a furry companion to keep them company. They are also more heat-tolerant and can do better in warmer or more humid climates.Show New Zealand rabbits tend to have shorter ears and bodies and thicker fur, and are plumper in appearance than commercial meat New Zealand rabbits.If you purchase a rabbit from a breeder, it is likely you will be purchasing a show New Zealand rabbit. Like hay, there are plenty types of pellets available on the market, some with higher protein content than others. These patches are nearly always white/red or white/black.Of these four colors, the New Zealand white rabbit is the clear front runner in popularity. The first litter of what will become New Zealand White rabbits were born in 1917 when a New Zealand Red doe had four albino kits. The rabbits are With lots of time, patience and a few treats, litter training should be successful within a few months.Although their name suggests it, these rabbits are not actually from New Zealand. In areas where wild New Zealand rabbit populations have spiraled out of control, the virus is used as a form of population control.If you plan to keep your New Zealand rabbit in areas affected by population overgrowth, you should talk with your vet about having your pet rabbit vaccinated against this virus.The current recommendation is that your rabbit has her first vaccination between 10 and 12 weeks of age and then an annual booster shot for every year thereafter.Rabbits can also develop a condition called coccidiosis caused by protozoan parasites which invade the cells of a rabbits’ digestive system and liver.Rabbits usually become infected by eating the feces of other infected rabbits.Look out for loss of energy and appetite, and unexplained weight loss.Coccidiosis requires vet treatment to break the cycle of infection, but most otherwise healthy rabbits will make a full recovery.Snuffles is another condition rabbits can contract. The White and Black varieties became recognized later. Overall, the New Zealand white rabbit lifespan ranges from 7 to 10 years.Another common question rabbit keepers have is, “How big do New Zealand rabbits get?”A healthy adult New Zealand rabbit weight typically ranges from 9 to 12 lbs., with does staying at the lower end and bucks tending towards the higher end of the spectrum.The exception may be the New Zealand giant rabbit, which is really a Flemish giant rabbit crossbred with a New Zealand rabbit. Does are bigger than bucks with a maximum weight of 10 to 12 pounds, where the male of the breed is supposed to weigh between 9 and 11 pounds. Also, if you plan to breed New Zealand rabbits, you may find you have more success and larger, faster-growing litters during the cooler seasons of the year.While New Zealand rabbits are considered hardier than most rabbit breeds, they can still develop a range of known health conditions you will need to watch for.Purchasing your rabbit from a reputable breeder or a knowledgeable rescue organization can reduce the risk of bringing home a new pet bunny with genetic-based health conditions.New Zealand rabbits can be vulnerable to a deadly virus called the rabbit haemorrhagic disease virus, or RHDV1. Indoors, remove any toxic house plants or foods your rabbit could get to, hide electric cables and protect wooden furniture legs your bunny will try to gnaw at.