The Florida White rabbit is a relatively small domestic breed of rabbit. It was created by American Rabbit Breeders Associations Judge Orville Miliken. He created this breed through crossing an albino Dutch, an albino Polish and a small but typical New Zealand White rabbit.
And then through progressive selection and line breeding, he obtained a stain of compact animals. Which is now known as Florida White, and the breed was originally developed in Florida for laboratory purpose. Later, the breed was considered a multipurpose rabbit breed as it was developed for it’s meat and fur.
The Florida White rabbit is small and compact and even their ears and heads are round and sturdy. As the name suggests, the Florida White rabbit breed comes in just a single color variety. And that is a white body with pink color eyes.
The breed is known for it’s all white body without any markings and for it’s albino red eyes. The Florida White rabbit was accepted as a breed by the American Rabbit Breeders Association in the year of 1967.
Florida White Rabbits Characteristics
The Florida White rabbits are medium sized animals. They have a compact body with firm flesh, small heads, small feet and small bones. They have excellent feed to meat conversion ratio, and a nearly 65 percent meat to bone ratio.
This means the breed is very good for meat production and there is very little waste at processing. Their fur is white with good density and texture. The Florida White rabbits have many similarities with the New Zealand White rabbit.
Actually the Florida White rabbit has New Zealand White ancestry. But the main differences between these two breeds are their size. The New Zealand Whites are considerably larger than the Florida Whites. Both breeds are usually white in color with pink eyes, but occasionally appear in other colors.
Both breeds have same type of ears. And both breeds tend to be calm in terms of personality. Average body weight of the New Zealand Rabbit is about 5 kg, while the Florida White rabbit weights about 1.8 to 2.7 kg.
Temperament
One of the standout characteristics of the Florida White rabbit is its gentle and docile temperament. These rabbits are known for their calm and friendly nature, making them wonderful pets for families, individuals, and seniors alike.
They are generally not prone to aggression and can develop strong bonds with their owners when given proper care and attention. This breed is particularly well-suited for those seeking a loving and affectionate companion.
Health and Lifespan
Florida White rabbits are generally healthy and robust animals, requiring regular veterinary check-ups, a balanced diet, and suitable living conditions. With proper care, they can live for an average of 5 to 8 years, although some individuals have been known to exceed this lifespan.
It is important to provide them with a clean and safe environment, regular exercise, and a well-balanced diet to ensure their overall well-being.
Adaptability and Living Conditions
The Florida White rabbit is adaptable to various living conditions, making it suitable for both indoor and outdoor environments. Whether kept as a house pet or in a backyard hutch, these rabbits can thrive when provided with a comfortable and secure living space.
It is crucial to protect them from extreme temperatures, predators, and potential hazards. When given sufficient space to roam and explore, they can display their natural curiosity and playful behavior.
Care and Maintenance
To maintain the health and well-being of a Florida White rabbit, certain care and maintenance practices are necessary. This includes regular grooming to keep their fur clean and free from mats, as well as trimming their nails to prevent overgrowth.
Additionally, providing them with a suitable diet comprising hay, fresh vegetables, and high-quality rabbit pellets is essential. Fresh water should always be readily available to keep them hydrated.
Breeding and Reproduction
The Florida White rabbit is a prolific breed, known for its reproductive capabilities. Female rabbits, known as does, can begin breeding at around 4 to 6 months of age.
The gestation period typically lasts around 30 days, after which a litter of 4 to 8 kits (baby rabbits) is born. Responsible breeding practices should be followed, ensuring the health and welfare of both the parent rabbits and their offspring.
Utilization and Show Standards
The Florida White rabbit, with its stunning appearance and gentle temperament, is popular not only as a companion animal but also as a show rabbit. It is recognized as a distinct breed by various rabbit breed associations worldwide.
The American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) has established specific show standards for the Florida White rabbit based on their physical characteristics, including fur color, body shape, and eye color.
These standards help judges assess the rabbits during competitions, evaluating factors such as fur quality, body structure, and overall breed conformity.
Popularity and Conservation Efforts
The Florida White rabbit has gained popularity among rabbit enthusiasts and breeders due to its striking appearance and amiable nature. However, it is important to note that this breed, like many others, faces conservation challenges.
Responsible breeding practices, education about their unique qualities, and efforts to maintain genetic diversity are crucial for the preservation of this delicate breed.
Uses
The Florida White rabbit breed was originally developed for the laboratory use. But the breed is good for meat production and has a favorable dress out ratio for the consumption. It is also good as pets.
Special Notes
The Florida Whites are usually docile, gentle, good natured and relaxed breed of rabbits. It is generally a very hardy and healthy breed. They usually have a friendly and easygoing temperament. Which makes them ideal as pets and good choice for novice rabbit breeders.
Florida White rabbits have extremely fine bone, offering them a lofty dress out percentage. And this good meat to bone ratio has made them an outstanding meat rabbit breeds.
Florida White does are capable of offering 6-8 kits per litter. The breed has an average lifespan of 5 to 8 years. But they can live longer if properly cared. However review full breed profile of this breed in the chart below.
| Breed Name | Florida White |
| Other Name | None |
| Breed Purpose | Raised as a meat breed. But also suitable for raising as pets. |
| Breed Size | Medium |
| Weight | Average body weight is between 1.8 and 2.7kg |
| Suitable for Commercial Production | Yes |
| Good as Pets | Yes |
| Climate Tolerance | All Climates |
| Color Varieties | White |
| Rarity | Common |
| Country of Origin | United States |
Looking for Florida white’s for sale
Who sells this in florida?