New Zealand rabbit is a very popular breed and it is raised for both meat and fur production. The New Zealand rabbit despite the name, is American in origin and originated in California from rabbits imported from New Zealand. The breed was very popular for meat production.
Still today it is used in meat production more than any other single rabbit breed throughout the world. And the breed was mainly developed to meet the demands of the meat and fur trade in the early part of the 20the Century.
There are four color varieties of the New Zealand rabbit recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association. The ARBA recognized color varieties are; black, broken, red and white. Among these color varieties, the New Zealand White is the most popular and widely used for commercial meat production.
Review history, characteristics, behavior and full breed profile of the New Zealand rabbit below. Here we have also described shortly about the four ARBA recognized color varieties.
Origin and History
The New Zealand rabbit originated from the United States. People raising these rabbits from a long time ago (around the 1900s). Breeders made this breed by mixing different kinds of rabbits. The main aim was to get a strong and healthy breed.
This breed is popular and famous for it’s big size and soft fur. Today, New Zealand rabbits are very popular throughout the world. Most of the people love to have these rabbits as pets or for meat production purpose, because they grow fast and it’s very easy to take care of them.
New Zealand Rabbit Characteristics
New Zealand rabbit is a large breed. It has a dense, luxurious coat, the undercoat is soft and thick and interspersed with harsher guard hairs. It has a barely discernible neck and a well rounded and wide head over it.
The body of the New Zealand rabbits is deep, broad and long. Their ears must be in proportion to the rest of the body and have a good covering of fur with rounded tips. All the color varieties of this breed are not same in size. The Red variety is slightly smaller than the other color varieties.
The average body weight of the New Zealand rabbit is about 5 kg, with the does being slightly larger than the bucks. Short description of the four ARBA recognized color varieties of New Zealand rabbit breed are listed below.
1. White
The New Zealand White rabbit is the most popular variety. It is pure white in color and have bright pink eyes. The original breeds used for creating New Zealand White rabbits are unknown. But Suarez are believed to have played some part.
They have well rounded bodies with slender and muscular faces with round cheeks. They have large, long back feet and small, short front pectoral muscles. Their ears are long that stand straight up. Average body weight of the white variety is up to 5 kg.
2. Black
The Black variety of the New Zealand rabbit breed was created through the efforts of Dr. De Castro of California. It was developed by using may crosses, including the Giant Chinchilla.
The Black variety is to uniform jet black coloration throughout the body. And the undercolor is dark slate blue, and this variety has dark brown eye color.
3. Broken
The Broken color variety of the New Zealand rabbit is a recent addition. And this variety was accepted by the American Rabbit Breeders Association in February 2010.
This variety include any recognized color of the breed in conjunction with white. For the colored variety (black or red), the colored areas of the broken pattern are to match the standard.
4. Red
The New Zealand Red rabbit variety is of brilliant reddish sorrel color. But the coloration is not so dark that it resembles a mahogany red coloration. The color is to be carried as deep down the hair shaft as possible and the belly color is to be similar if not the same shade of red as the top color.
The eyes of the Red variety are brown in color. And the New Zealand Red rabbits are slightly smaller than other color varieties. Their average body weight is around 3.6 kg.
Housing Requirements
New Zealand rabbits require a safe and comfortable home. A good and secure housing is very important for them because it helps to protect them from the rain, wind, and cold. Like many other breeds, these rabbits also like to have a dry and clean place to stay.
So, it is very important to give them enough space to hop around and play. You can use a hutch or a big cage for their home. Make sure they have soft bedding and a hiding spot too.
Dietary Requirements
Providing good quality and nutritious food to your rabbit is very important. Good food helps these animals to stay healthy, grow better and produce more. So, try to feed your rabbits with very good quality and nutritious food.
Green leafy vegetables, seasonal vegetable, spinach, carrots, muller, cucumber, green grass and vegetable wastes are common food of rabbits. For commercial purpose, you can serve them poultry feed. Also provide your rabbits with enough clean and fresh drinking water as per their demand.
Breeding/Reproduction
Breeding New Zealand rabbits is very easy and simple, because they are naturally good breeders. A doe becomes fertile between 8 and 12 weeks of age, and can be safely bred at 5-8 months of age. The does are fertile all year long and the gestation period is around 28–35 days, although most will kindle (give birth) at 31-32 days.
Temperament
New Zealand rabbits are well-known for their friendly and gentle temperament. They are usually calm in nature and they enjoy staying around people. They are also very good as pets because they are not usually aggressive and they are very easy to handle. They like cuddling and being petted.
Health
The New Zealand rabbits are naturally very active and healthy. It is good to keep their house clean and give them the right food and clean water. And doing all these will help to keep them healthy and active.
Performing regular health check-ups with a veterinarian can help make sure they stay healthy. Like any other animal, sometimes they can get sick. So it is important to watch for signs of illness regularly like not eating or acting differently.
Keeping them safe from extreme weather and predators also helps them stay healthy. However, taking good care of New Zealand rabbits means they can live happy and long lives.
Caring
Caring for New Zealand rabbits is not too hard, it’s relatively easy and simple. Provide them with a clean and safe home, and ensure good food like hay, vegetables, and water. Try to monitor their health regularly and keep them warm in cold weather.
Taking good care of the rabbits will help them to stay healthy and productive. So, take good care of the breeding buck, pregnant and nursing doe and also the kids.
Popularity and Price
New Zealand rabbits are a popular breed. They are friendly and raising them is very easy and simple. Many people like to have them as pets or for meat.
The price of a New Zealand rabbit can vary. Some can be affordable, while others, especially those with special colors or qualities, may be more expensive. Please visit any of your nearest farm or breeder to learn more about the current price.
Uses
The New Zealand rabbit was created for their excellent fur and meat quality. They grow faster and the fryers are slaughtered at two months of age. Their fur is used for making many useful products.
Along with commercial meat and fur production purposes, the New Zealand rabbits are also used for laboratory purposes. The New Zealand White rabbit is the most suitable breed for commercial rabbit farming business.
And it is the mostly raised single rabbit breed throughout the world. New Zealand rabbit is also suitable for raising as pets.
Pros and Cons of New Zealand Rabbits
There are some pros and cons of New Zealand rabbits. Here we are trying to list the most common and notable advantages and disadvantages of these rabbits.
Pros:
- These rabbits are generally very friendly and gentle and they can be very good pets.
- They grow quickly, which can be beneficial if you are raising them for meat.
- They are easy to take care of, and they have simple dietary and housing needs.
- They have multiple uses. They can be kept as pets, used for meat, or for their soft fur.
Cons:
- Like all pets, these rabbits may need veterinary care.
- They need enough space to move around.
- Breeding them requires careful management, and handling baby rabbits can be tricky.
- Some people may be allergic to their fur, which can be a con for potential pet owners.
Special Note
New Zealand rabbit is an exceptionally calm breed and it makes an excellent companion. Despite their large size they are remarkably docile and easily handled breed. They are also safe for children and other pets.
They are rarely aggressive and very relaxed about being handled. They mature quickly and the does can become fertile within their 8-12 weeks of age. But it’s not recommend to bred them before 16-17 weeks of age for better result.
Average gestation period of the New Zealand rabbit is around 28 to 35 days. The does are good mothers. Like most other rabbit breeds, the New Zealand rabbit are also very social and enjoy being part of the family. They are not biters, so it’s safe inside with other pets.
Average lifespan of a New Zealand rabbit is about 5-8 years. But this can vary depending on many conditions such as diet, housing and health care. However, review full breed profile of this rabbit breed in the chart below.
| Breed Name | New Zealand |
| Other Name | n/a |
| Breed Purpose | Very good for fur and meat production. Suitable for raising as pets. |
| Breed Size | Large |
| Weight | Average body weight is 5 kg |
| Suitable for Commercial Production | Yes |
| Good as Pets | Yes |
| Climate Tolerance | All Climates |
| Color Varieties | Black, Broken, Red and White |
| Rarity | Common |
| Country of Origin | United States |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The New Zealand rabbit is a very beautiful and lovely breed of rabbit which is raised mainly for it’s excellent fur and meat quality. It is also sometimes raised as pets, and these rabbits are very adorable. Popularity of this rabbit breed is very high and also increasing gradually. That’s why many people are asking numerous questions about these rabbits. However, here we are trying to list the most common questions about this breed of domestic rabbit, and trying to answer them. Hope you will find your answer. Don’t hesitate to ask us if you have more questions.
What are New Zealand rabbits used for?
The New Zealand rabbits are mainly raised for their fur and meat production. They are also very good for raising as pets.
Is a New Zealand rabbit a good pet?
Yes, the New Zealand rabbits are very good as pets. They are very friendly and lovable.
Why are New Zealand rabbits good for meat?
These rabbits are very very good for meat because of their sturdy and compact meat. They grow faster, have high fertility and have very good carcass quality.
How much do New Zealand rabbits cost?
Average price of a New Zealand rabbit is around $10.
How much room does a New Zealand rabbit need?
A mature New Zealand rabbit generally require 4-5 square feet room/housing space.
Do New Zealand rabbits like to be held?
Yes, they enjoy being handled.
How long do New Zealand rabbits live for?
Average lifespan of a New Zealand rabbit is around 5 to 6 years. Although, some rabbits can live for up to 10 years.
Can you eat New Zealand rabbits?
Yes, sure! It is a meat rabbit breed and raised mainly for meat production purpose.
How fast do New Zealand rabbits grow?
These rabbits grow very fast and on average they generally reach their full-grown adult size by 9-10 months of age. But in case of commercial meat production, they are marketed within their 3 months of age.
How much meat do you get from a New Zealand rabbit?
A rabbit with 2.5 kg live body weight will give you 1.5 kg of actual meat.
How often can you breed New Zealand rabbits?
Mature bucks can be used daily for single mating over long periods without affecting their fertility. Does can become fertile within their 8-12 weeks of age. But it’s not recommend to bred them before 16-17 weeks of age for better result. Average gestation period of the does is around 28 to 35 days.
What is so special about New Zealand breed?
They are very good for fur and meat production, and also suitable for raising as pets. They are very beautiful, grow faster and have many color varieties.
