The Ca x BV doe took her first breeding this week. She was bred to HT buck 0C12D, a pure HT that has 3 GC legs. He is also more compact, since the longer shoulder from the Beveren needs to be shortened up. Well, it's no surprise, I knew this would be a longer road than with a Californian or Satin. Highlights in this doe? I feel there are a lot! First is the fur of course. The BV fur is the big attraction to this cross, it it roll back and longer than most other breeds so it is already the right fur, and it is pretty great! This F1 doe has dense, long fur with the roll back well on its way. Just a great thing to run your fingers through!
She has no blue in her eyes which is a good thing, but we all know that Vienna Gene is waiting there to pop out sometime.
The small dewlap is a good thing too. Better than having to breed it down, that's for sure!
The loin and hind quarter are MASSIVE! While the CA I used in this initial cross was a compact rabbit with a strong shoulder, I give credit to Kim Calloway who bred the Beveren I used in this cross, for the rear 3/4 of this rabbit. Kim's rabbits have loins that are wider than the palm of your hand, and the depth in his rabbits is just great too. He's been breeding Beverens for 30 years or more and has what are generally considered some of the best if not the best there are.
This doe weighs in at 9 and a half pounds, and true to requirements, she maintains that weight on 3/4 cup of feed a day.
Overall I'm pretty pleased with the results of this first step in my BV project. If the shoulder can be shortened up and the fur maintained, I think that will be the biggest part of the battle.
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