I have always loved the Tri colored Mini Rex and have been looking for a couple of years in our area for some good, pedigreed stock but haven\'t come close to what I\'m looking for.
I finally found a breeder yesterday that I am impressed with and hopefully around Feb I will be getting a pair of pedigreed Tri\'s.
My question is, I looked all over the web until I was cross eyed yesterday looking for info on breeding Tri\'s. You know like what you breed to what to get the tri coloring. Genetic make up of Tri\'s and so on. I found a bit of info on the ARBA site but not really what I was looking for.
Does anyone know of a site or two I could go to that specifically covers the breeding of Tri colored Mini Rex.
It would be MUCH appreciated.
I found one little statement about only breeding Tri\'s to Tri\'s or the only other acceptable color/pattern would be a harlequin Mini Rex. But it said no more then that. So I was left scratching my head over it all.
Help!
Tri Colors are the result of the Japanese (or Harlequin gene) - ej, combined with the English (or Broken gene) En. It is a challenging variety to produce. A Harlequin-marked rabbit is simply what you get if the En (Broken) gene were not present. You can cross in other varieties if you need help intensifiying one of the colors; i.e., black, chocolate, blue, red, etc., but the best Tris come from Tri to Tri, Tri to Harlequin, or Harlequin to Tri Charlie. (A Tri Charlie is a Tri with a double Broken Gene - EnEn, and bred to a Harlequin, you will get all Tris.)
Because the Tri variety depends on the English gene, when crossing 2 Tris you can expect 50% Tris, 25% Harlequin, and 25% Charlies. Neither the Harlequins or Charlies are showable, but you can (and should) use them in your breeding program if they are good type and fur-wise.
Rather than getting a trio, might I suggest 2 pairs. I find this gives better genetic diversity and breeding combinations when just starting out.
Following is a brief article on Tris (Mini Lop). The principles for breeding the Tri variety are the same no matter what breed...
http://www.firedoverabbitry.com/FDbreedTC.html
Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com
We raise tri color rabbits in Mini Rex and in Holland Lops and on the majority of the pedigrees the breedings are all tri to tri or tri to a harliquin. We have stuck with that concept with some good outcomes. They are a fun variety to work on and when you get the color combo just right it is beautiful. Our one tri doe, her whole pedigree is tri color. Her name is Creole and you can see her on our home page on our web site or under the mini rex does section. Good luck!
Tony Artist, Artist Rabbitry
http://www.artistrabbitry.com
Your rabbits are beautiful Tony. Wish I was closer to where you live. I\'d love to have a Tri Mini Rex like Creole, she\'s stunning. Faith and Honeybunn are also very pretty. Thanks for directing me to your site.
Charlcie, I told my husband what you said about getting two male and two female, he just finished making me a large 3 hole cage for the JW\'s, he said \"well, I guess I better go buy some more lumber and wire.\" So looks like I\'ll be getting two harlequins and two Tri\'s!!!!! THANKS!
I think next I\'ll tell him you said I need a couple new diamond rings and a new car!!!! Hee Hee
Hey, it\'s worth a shot!
Tony does have great rabbits! I bought my tri buck from him. It is a great rabbit and I can\'t wait to use him in my tri program. This is a great site explaining the genetics of breeding tricolor mini rex.
http://members.tripod.com/Rexrabbit/TriRex.html
I hope it helps. Good luck!
Just had a look at your site, Oh WOW Ann, LOVE that Tri color baby you are keeping!! I like the more heavily marked ones like that one. Lucky You! I\'ll take a look at that site, thanks for posting it.
Any luck finding some tricolors near you?
No not actual Tri colored but I found a breeder with some Harlequin bunnies. One is out of a red doe with a Harlequin buck. The other is out of a broken blk doe and a Harlequin buck. They are about 3 hours drive from me. I am to go pick up a pair around the 9th of December.
I\'m going with Charlcie\'s advice and getting a pair of Harlequins and a pair of Tri\'s. Now if I could just find those Tri\'s I\'d be a real happy camper.
i was reading this post and was wondering if it would be ok to breed a tri to a black buck