The Amazing Silver Fox Rabbit 

Breed and housing selection make the biggest impact on how much you will enjoy (or not) raising rabbits. Let us know if you have any questions!

Sorry it took so long. We gals show different breeds and always seem to be heading in different directions when we're at a show. Thanks for watching!

The Silver Fox have awesome fur.

That's awesome!

Good luck!!

😍 I'm in Toronto and have been having a hell of a time trying to find these! Do you have a website?

Try reaching out to the folks with the National Silver Fox Club, nsfrc.com/ as well. They may be able to direct you if WormWood doesn't have a website.

I would imagine due to their fur density they would have trouble with heat, much like the Champagne D'Argent. We raised NZ when we lived in Mississippi because they handle the heat. Americans, American Chinchillas, Palominos and other longer eared breeds that don't have the super dense fur would be your best bets. Thanks for watching 😊

Wow, thanks!

There is a link to Heather's FB page for Rock Hill Rabbitry in the video description above. 😊 Thanks for watching!

They can be adapted to warmer climates, but it does take time. If you can find a breeder in your region you have a much better chance at acclimating them. Most breeds are nicer than the New Zealand, LOL. Except maybe Satins. Silver Fox are fairly laid back and far more personable.

What breeds are you looking for and what state? There are state and regional organization everywhere, so there's probably quite a few breeds near you.

Each breed also has a national breed club. The club secretary will be able to recommend the breeders closest to you as well.

Sprague River Homestead thank you so much for the tips. We are looking for larger breeds for meat, and want to optimize coat beauty for curing skins for our own use. I'll look for the breed websites.

There isn't much in Florida, but the national breed clubs for each may be able to help direct you to the closest breeders.

How long have you had them? There should be no/minimal handling in the first 30 days while they adjust to the move.

Heat tolerance will be tough to say since you have a cross of two very different breeds. Temperaments should be good (Fox are typically very sweet, Americans are usually pretty active and inquisitive). Weights should be about the same, so 10-12# for does and 9-11# for bucks. My biggest advice is to have a good heat management strategy in place, and be prepared for the frustration of heat sterility in your bucks. You should be able to breed from October to May/June depending on where exactly you are and what sort of heat you are dealing with. Good luck!

Sort of. A couple of airlines used to fly them, but that's all been stopped with the coronavirus restrictions. The safest route is always to use a good transporter, but between COVID 19 and the RHDV2 outbreaks in the southwest most of them aren't running. I'm hopeful that they'll be back to work by fall.

They may have to acclimate to the warm humid air, but it can be done.

No. Silver Fox fur is entirely unique to the Silver Fox breed.

Depends on the feed. What is the recommendation on the bag? Generally 1oz per # of weight and adjust from there

@@SpragueRiverHomestead I have feed o matic type feeders so I have just been keeping them full of 16 percent pellets. Also hay feeders and those stay full too. Guess I'll have to adjust the amount in the feeders. Last time I raised rabbits they were in a colony and the buck was housed in a cage and put in with the colony for breeding. Always had free choice hay and pellets and no problems with breeding at all. This time around I have some stacking KW cages, the largest that stack, and the 2 does ( 7 month old silver fox) are evasive and aggressive to the 2 year old seasoned buck. I have added acv, BOSS and am making sure they get 14 hours of light. Going to keep trying but it surprised me it can be hard because my last experience with rabbits it was so easy!

I feed 1 cup of pellets per day plus all the hay they want.

She's currently paused her rabbitry. However, I'm now breeding Silver Fox.

We don't ship overseas. Right now no one can ship out of the US, but that may be opening up in the coming months. Get in touch with the American Rabbit Breeders Association. They may be able to recommend a breeder that does ship.

Ontario, Canada? Check with the Silver Fox club. They should know who their nearest members are.

With their temperament issues I don't recommend New Zealands to anybody unless it's something they really want. Both the American and Silver Fox are great rabbits, but depending on where you are finding stock can be a challenge.

@@SpragueRiverHomestead We do have a breeder in the Dayton area and I have contacted them and got on their waiting list for an American Rabbit. I will start with two Does and one Buck. And just for your information, they are getting $75.00 for show quality and $65.00 for their rabbits. I think with Covid and the grocery situation the prices are going up. thanks for your help. Business idea, Your might want to offer shipping "meat packages" featuring your rabbits and chickens. use Styrofoam boxes and ship with dry ice. Charge premium prices and see where it goes.

Silver Fox are like the Silkie Chickens of the rabbit world, LOL. Silkies are known for trying to hatch golf balls, and a Silver Fox will raise darn near anything. LOL Thanks for watching!

All large breeds mature in 8-10 months for does and after 6 months for bucks. Silver Fox should never be bred before 8 months of age.

Sprague River Homestead thanks for the help I’m just getting started w raising for meat and sale. Beautiful animals.

There are several Silver Fox groups on Facebook. You can also try reaching out to the Silver Fox Club. I breed them here in Oregon but won't have anything available for a few months yet.

Awesome!

Not as well as some other breeds. They do have large ears which help with heat dispersion, but their fur is very dense. You'll want to look around and see if you can find a local breeder with acclimated animals for best results.