Genetic calculator
Topic: color genetics
It is always a guess what any two rabbit genetic combinations will produce in the way of color. Sometimes the parent's genes are simple and sometimes (most often)they are not. If you are new at the breeding game, you might enjoy playing with probability calculators, which will show you potential color outcomes of any pair of rabbits mated together.

There's a new website in town, and Mamma Rabbit has such a calculator free on site. I just fooled with it for a bit and was entertained. The downside of any of these calculators (and they are included in most rabbit pedigree software programs, also) is that unless you have the parents' colors properly labeled, they are not even close. This ARBA (American Rabbit Breeder Association) rabbitry breeds show color rabbits, but some colors that pop out in litters are not showable. This is not an issue with fiber rabbits, but it does make the color names tough to settle on, when using an ARBA color list.

Color identification comes with experience, but there are some vital clues exhibited on day four of any angora's life that should not be missed. If you ever have a question about what color you have, feel free to contact me SENDING PICTURES of all sides (at least 6) of the kit and I'll send you MY guess. Then again, once the coat comes in fully, after 4-6 weeks, certain color modifications are evident (the color rings in an agouti coat and the ticking in a steel pattern, for example)and the original guess can be fine tuned.

At the end of the day, knowing the honest history of the colors in the parents, grandparents and great grandparents will be your best guide. Getting rabbits from people you trust will go a long way towards that end. Know thy breeder!