Florida White rabbit

Florida White Rabbits

Adult Size: Small (4-6 pounds/ 1.8-2.7 kilograms) Although this rabbit is quite small, it was bred in Florida in the 1960’s as a smaller meat rabbit.[1] which would also be functional for laboratory use. The breed originator was ARBA Judge Orville Miliken. Its lines originated from small New Zealand, Polish White and Dutch White rabbits. The fur is white with good density and texture, and they have a compact, meaty body, short neck, and small head. The ideal Florida White is a short bodied, well rounded with plenty of muscle for size in the hindquarters, back and shoulders. They are a well-muscled breed for such a small rabbit. The ideal senior weight for the breed is 5 pounds, with an acceptable range from 4-6 pounds while the junior weighs 2.25-4.5 pounds. Separating them early is crucial since they often mature quickly. It is recommended to start breeding them at about 5 months of age. Florida Whites are generally docile, good-natured, gentle and relaxed rabbits that can become excellent mothers. However, one rabbit can differ from another. Some are more curious while others are more the relaxed type. Because of its smaller size, Florida Whites are ideal for those who don’t have a lot of space to devote to their rabbitry or who may be raising them indoors. Aside from being good family pets, they also make for good show animals. Along with their compact bodies and small bones, they have typical features such as their white fur, pink eyes and stiff ears. Florida Whites are one of the smaller breeds that have been raised for its meat quality. This breed is generally hardy and healthy. It isn’t too small that you have to worry about it escaping but also, it isn’t too large that eating and pooping will be a big deal. Its cage should be large enough so that the animal has the space to move around comfortably. It has an average lifespan of 5 to 8 years. It is a recognized ARBA breed.[2]

History of the Breed

The Florida White rabbit was accepted as a breed by the ARBA in 1967. The breed originator was ARBA Judge Orville Miliken. He crossed an albino Dutch, an albino Polish and a small but "typical" New Zealand White and through progressive selection and line breeding obtained a stain of compact animals. Another major contributor to the development of the Florida White is Fibber McGehee. Fibber started raising Florida Whites in 1978. Through selective breeding of albino Polish, New Zealand Whites and a little rabbit of unknown breed, ... Fibber was successful in improving type. The Florida White was developed to provide a smaller rabbit for laboratory use and provide a small meat rabbit with good production and a favorable dress-out ratio for the personal consumption home breeder of today. They have a compact body with firm flesh, small bones, small heads and small feet, excellent feed to meat conversion and a nearly 65% meat to bone ratio. This means there is very little waste at processing. The Florida White is also an excellent show animal. In 1977 Dale Allison won Best in Show at the ARBA convention in Houston, TX. In the youth, Tonya Forbes won Best in Show at the 1993 ARBA Convention in Tacoma, WA. In 1999, Fibber McGehee won Best in Show in Louisville, KY. Florida Whites are frequent Best in Show winners on the local level as well. With the popularity of the Florida White rabbit, the Florida White Rabbit Breeders Association has grown also. The Florida White Rabbit Breeders Association became a charted club in 1972. If you would like more information or to join the Florida White Rabbit Breeders Association contact: Jane Meyer 1795 N 1800 E Road Thawville, IL 60968 or email Jane at [email protected]. Membership includes a newsletter. . The Florida White Standard of Perfection, which is available from the ARBA, describes the point system used to judge the Florida White. The number 1 consideration in showing the Florida White is the body or type which carries 65 points, though the condition of the rabbit which would include firm flesh and fur carries 35 points.

ARBA Schedule of Points General Type...65 ... (Body... 55 ... Head&Ears... 10) Fur...20 Color...5 Condition...10 TOTAL POINTS...100

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