BEW and other stuff

Gosh, I have been neglecting this blog. busy summer I guess, all the critters are doing well.

Anyway I am very excited to announce our Blue Eyed White Holland Lop project!

I couldn't find any in Michigan but always thought they were really pretty, recently I unexpectedly (and accidentally) acquired a very nice Vienna Marked buck. Which lead to the purchase of a nice trio from Wisconsin and the start of my little color project.

Blue Eyed Whites are an interesting variety to work with and need to be kept separate from your regular show lines, this is because of the Vienna gene. All our colour project bunnies will be kept separate from my regular Holland Lops unless I make a cross specifically for Vienna Carriers. The pedigrees are clearly marked, I don't want anyone getting nasty surprises.

As for showing - Blue Eyed White's & Vienna Carrier's are showable, but Vienna Marked are not. Vienna Marked are sold only to be used in a BEW breeding program or to be sold as a pet. Any rabbits I bred will have it marked on the pedigree if they are carrying the Vienna gene.

BEW - Blue Eyed White. Which is a solid white rabbit with blue eyes.
VM - Vienna Marked, also known as "Sports". Which means that a rabbit carries the gene and shows it. For example: a solid black rabbit with white spots or patches, white toenails, blue eyes, ect.
VC - Vienna Carrier. Which means the rabbit carries the gene, but doesn't show it.

The Vienna gene must be present in both parents in order to get a BEW. Here are a few crosses that could be made and the results that you should get...

Normal Coloured Rabbit (VV) x BEW (vv) = All (Vv) - all will carry the gene, but no BEWs.
Normal Coloured Rabbit (VV) x VM or VC (Vv) = 50% will carry the gene & 50% will not. This is not a desirable cross, as you will have a good chance of not knowing what carries and will likely waste cage space & time.
VM or VC (Vv) x VM or VC (Vv) = 25% BEW, 50% carriers, & 25% non-carriers. In this case there is a chance that you will not know which are carriers or non-carriers. It is advisable to not use the rabbits from this cross because you cannot tell whether they carry or not - again, a waste of time & space.
BEW (vv) x VM or VC (Vv) = 50% BEW, 50% carriers - marked or not.
BEW (vv) x BEW (vv) = 100% BEW!

We currently have a Vienna Marked black doe and my surprise Vienna Marked buck, and two BEW. Hopefully next year we will have some nice offspring, I'm really aiming for the awesome Holland type in a Bew package.