An important part of any breeding program is an understanding of color genetics. Lisa Smith gives you all the basics in this easy to article that will wet your appetite for more on color genetics.
There are five basic genes that make up the color of every rabbit. This article will introduce you to these colors.
This gene creates rings of color on the individual hair strands.
This gene determines if the rabbit has a black foundation or a brown one.
This is one of the more interesting genes. It is also known as the chinchilla gene. There are several allelles of this gene some of which are effected by temperature.
A simple gene having to do with how strongly the color will appear in individual hair strands.
This gene determines if the hair color goes completely to the end of the individual hair strand. This gene creates shaded rabbit colors.
Many unfamiliar words get used in genetics. We take a little time to define those words for you to assist in your study of genetics.
The Punnett Square is a very useful tool in determining possible rabbit colors from a breeding. This articles gives the basics on how to use this tool.
Single lotus punnett squares are fairly easy to work with, but they can be done with several Loti.
Heres a brief look at the other genes that contribute to rabbit color
This is a chart of color group by which "C" lotus gene is dominant, then grouped by A gene all the way down to E gene.
Ok you think you have punnett squares all figured out. Take this really cool quiz. It actually works as an awesome teaching tool as well.