Really, Troller?! Well...Haha, it's getting to that spring time lighting, so bunnies are hot to trot, but it's too cold outside so i'm more active online. I'm glad i decided to start posting so i could answer any questions or concerns you have.
I think a lot of issue is with the hairless gene. It can cause a lot of problems in breeds. I've heard of hairless kits born in litters and they are usually runty and have digestive issues.*
Their was a university in Australia if i recall that developed a hairless rabbit breed intended for use in third world countries, but i believe they lost funding. I'd have to look back into it more. But they were gaining strides.*
Their is a lady that breeds an old line of Astrex that lives close to me Gold Spike Rabbitry. Her buns are still breeding to this day and she's been breeding endagered breeds for a looong time.
I have astrex breeders going on four years in age and i have not experienced any health problems other then feet problems. I believe *it's their weight (as mine are medium to large in size) and*lack of a thick fur pad on their feet bottoms. They need solid bottoms with clean thich bedding and regular toenail trims. My guys need different treatment from my Flemish. Astrex are higher maintanence. They have higher motabalisms. They have very curious natures!.. Much like a Devon Cat or hairless cat. And need stimulous to keep them happy. My guys would not do well in a minimum cage size! The mothers also have great trouble making fur nests before kindling..they can't pull from a coat that is sparse. If given cloth to help them.. they greatly appreciate it and build a nest with that. Also kits are prone to nest eye which i believe is due to lack of eye lashes so a spotless nest box, free of dust, must be provided.
All breeds have issues that need to be thought over and pushed thru. But some mutations cause so many problems that it causes huge expense both for owner and animal...and may be just not worth the vanity our wonderment of having or breeding something "different"
Sometimes simple is beautifully best!
Astrex are more common then people let on, a lot of them are culled by breeders who do NOT want their show rabbits status compromised.
*I'm planning on bring in harliquin and rex into my line to bring in vigor and new blood. Their is not much consistancy in my guys yet. Some are stocky and thick furred. Some are lanky and more thin in their fur.
Breeding Astrex is difficult because on a breeding standpoint they cause housing and pratical issues to the breeder, so it becomes impractical to keep them well. I have the luxury of having a very supportive husband, indoor heated rabbitry, solid bottoms cages that my husband builds to my specs, and alot of patience.*
I have no doubt that their are health defects within the genes. But from my experience i haven't experience too many. They really are more of a rabbit suited for indoor life. Because of their requirements it makes it hard for a breeder developing a new breed to meet them. As larger volume is really needed when developing and animal, to make sure every possible outcome is worked over.*
A breed is only as good as it's breeders ideals. If these guys can't work in a healthy, manageable way for them and then for me, i'll stop breeding them.
In my experience, so far so good though.
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