Rabbits

THE RESERVATION RABBITERY:

The legalisation of pet rabbits was introduced in 1980 and Jayne obtained her first pair of breeding rabbits in 1981. Today The Reservation displays eight of the 20 plus breeds available in New Zealand.

Shawnee Flemish Giant Doe Beige	Flemish Giant: As the name suggests a giant rabbit breed that can weigh in excess of 6 kilos at maturity. This ancient breed originated in Belgium as long ago as the 16th century.
Angora: The English Angora as displayed in the park has been bred in England for the past 150 years. Other Angora rabbit breeds include the French, German, Giant, Dwarf and Mini.		Nikita Angora Doe Red-Eye White
Serria Sunrise Rex Buck Orange	Rex: The Standard Rex Rabbit was discovered in France around 1920. Today it is available in nearly 30 self’s, broken and patterned colours. It has a unique velvet coat unlike any other breed. The texture of the coat is due to the lack of guard hairs. A large breed. The Rex is famous for it’s part in the children’s story – The Velveteen Rabbit . Apart from the standard Rex there is also a Satin and Mini available in New Zealand.
Jersey Woolie: A relatively new breed that was first bred in Jersey in the early 1970’s. It was bred from the Angora and Netherland Dwarf and it has created a small rabbit with an easy care long coat similar to the Angora. We have a breeding pair displayed at the park.		Phantom Jersey Woolie Buck Smoke Pearl
	Left: Rose & Ivory Agouti & Beige Dutch Does Right: Marbles Dutch Buck Chocolate
Dutch: Although the name suggests the Dutch rabbit originated in Holland it is not true, they were first bred in England in the mid 1800’s, although their ancestors originated from the Netherlands (when Belgium and Holland were one). Dutch are available in at least 10 colours in NZ with several different one displayed and bred at the park. Medium breed.

Anika Sable Martin Doe	Jasper Chinchilla Buck	Jacali Californian Doe
Netherland Dwarf: The Netherland Dwarf rabbit has only been a recognised breed for approx 60 years but already is available in a many as 30 colours with several shades in some colours. Weighing as little as 1kg at maturity they have compact cobby bodies, short ears and bold eyes. There are several breeding animals in the rabbitery.
Sequoia Chocolate Lop Doe	Pyrite Broken Torti Fuzzy Lop Buck	Harlem Magpie Lop Doe
Mini Lop: One of the four breeds of Lop in New Zealand, the Mini Lop is a very popular pet which was developed in Germany in the 1950s. The average weight of a Mini Lop rabbit is about 1.5kg. We have kept and bred Mini Lops in a variety of colours at the park for the past 7 years. As well as the normal coat Mini Lop we also have the Fuzzy Lop displayed.
Wafer Ash	Enderby Island: A rare breed with a unique and very interesting history which spans more than 160 years. The Enderby Island rabbit was in danger of extinction when the Rare Breeds Conservation Society intervened and rescued 49 of the animals off the Island before the Department Of Conservation began their extermination programme. Thanks to a small and very dedicated group, the survival of this rabbit is now looking positive. The first and only export of the Enderby Island rabbit was to Texas in 2003. We are very fortunate to have a pair of these rare Enderby Island rabbits displayed at The Reservation. A plan is in place to include a display of this unique history surrounding these rabbits. For the history of the Enderby Island Rabbit visit: www.rarebitsandpieces.com
RABBIT CALICIVIRUS: (RCD/RHD) a pest destruction tool for farmers and a heartbreaking disease for rabbit keepers. We experienced RCD in our Rabbitery in January 2005 and lost 19 of our breeding stock. If you have any questions on this or any other rabbit issue feel free to contact us. <<More here >>

If you have any questions on this or any other rabbit issue,
please feel free to contact us.

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