Why do you recommend testbreeding Lynx? What is the purpose of it?
To answer these questions in 1 word: Predictability.
How many times have you bred 2 rabbits together and ended up with several
colors born in the litter that you knew right off the bat you wouldn't
be keeping those other colors? It costs just as much to raise a whole litter
of potential keepers as it does a litter of only 1 or 2 keepers and the
rest ultimately culls. You may think it's just the luck of the draw - but
what if you can rig it towards your advantage? Wouldn't you rather put
your hard earned money into raising a whole litter of potential keepers
instead? I know I would.
Another good thing about raising that entire litter of potential keepers
is that there's more kits of the same color which provides a better likelihood
of producing that 1 exceptional kit that otherwise would have taken repeated
litters upon repeated litters to produce.
When you testbreed your rabbits and are able to pin point what recessive
genes they carry - you gain the upper hand in being able to predict what
you will get in each litter and manipulate them to get ONLY those colors
you want to work with.
At this moment in time, Fawns, Creams, Dilute Reds, whatever you want to
call them are not an accepted variety of Mini Rex recognized by the ARBA.
Until someone takes out a COD and works on getting them accepted, why waste
your time and efforts on an unshowable color? Especially this particular
variety which more often is one of the hardest to fit into any breeding
program. When I breed my Lynx, I want to focus on that one variety and
only produce them to the purest form possible. I don't want any confusion
on if the rabbit I intend on keeping in a litter is the variety I'm working
on or is another variety trying to pass as the variety I'm working on.
This is just one reason why I testbreed my Lynx and make sure there are
no unwanted recessive genes lurking in the gene pool. Other reasons are
more detailed below under the topic "
How do I testbreed my Lynx?"
I have been able to successfully restrict the genes within my breeding
program to ONLY produce Lynx and REW. All my REW's are genetic Lynx, therefore
compatible to breed back into the Lynx variety to improve type and fur
qualities. I've found that by having REW's in your barn - it helps fine
tune your ability to focus only on type and fur without the teasing of
great color trying to convince you into keeping an otherwise mediocre rabbit.
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How do I testbreed my Lynx? What do I look for in the litters that are
born?
Depending on what you're testbreeding for will depend on what you'll want
to look for in the resulting litters. It is also important to know that
genetic probability relates to each kit's individual chances for inheriting
certain genes from the parents, and not based on whole litter percentages.
It may take several repeated testbreedings to determine if certain recessives
are in fact carried, especially if only 1-4 kits are born. Personally within
my own herd, I feel confident that recessives are not carried if I don't
see it out of 2 testbreeding attempts or a litter of 6 or more kits.
Now, let's make it as easy as possible and take it one gene at a time shall
we:
'e' Non-Extension gene - This is the gene that produces a Fawn instead of a Lynx. How this gene
works in relation to the hairshafts of the coat, is it removes all or most
of the dark pigment and leaves only the light (yellow) pigment of color.
To put it into easily understandable terms, it is this gene alone that
makes a Tort different from a Black, all other genes are identical between
the two colors except for this series of extension genes. In relation to
Lynx breeding, the 'e' non-extension gene will ruin and fade the even lilac
tipping and can also make your ring definition indistinct, that's just
aside from the Fawns that will also be produced from this gene. I've personally
found the least confusing way to test for this gene is by testbreeding
your Lynx to a Tort, you can use a Red, but I prefer using a Tort so I
can also test for the 'a' Self gene at the same time (test for 2 genes
with 1 testbreeding).
If your Lynx does not carry the 'e' non-extension gene - you'll get a litter
of Castors, maybe some Opals, Blacks and/or Blues.
If your Lynx carries the 'e' non-extension gene - you will get at least
1 Red, Fawn, or Tort in the litter. It only takes 1 of these colors in
a litter to prove your Lynx at least carries this gene.
'ej' Japanese gene - This is the gene that produces Harlequins and Tri Colors. This gene
is also responsible for producing Harlequin type markings or bandings which
would make an otherwise exceptional rabbit unshowable and non-registerable.
In my opinion, the only place this gene should stay is within a Tri colored
breeding program and not crossed into other variety breeding programs.
As with the non-extension gene, the easiest way to test for this gene is
by testbreeding your Lynx to a Tort, you can use a Red, but I prefer using
a Tort so I can also test for the 'a' Self gene at the same time (test
for 2 genes with 1 testbreeding).
If your Lynx does not carry the 'ej' Japanese gene - you'll get a litter of Castors, maybe some Opals, Blacks
and/or Blues.
If your Lynx carries the 'ej' Japanese gene - you will get at least 1 Harlequin or Tri Color in the
litter. It only takes 1 of these colors in a litter to prove your Lynx
carries this gene.
'a' Self gene - This is the gene that produces a Lilac instead of a Lynx. There are
no bands of color on the hairshaft and essentially the rabbit is of uniform
color. This gene typically won't ruin your Lynx coloration, however I've
personally found within my herd that the Lynx that do not carry this gene
tend to have a much richer intermediate coloring than the Lynx that do
carry it. It would be a completely personal choice if you choose to keep
this gene in your lines. As a courtesy, I've included it here so you would
know what to look for if you chose to testbreed your Lynx to see if they
carry this gene or not. You can testbreed to any Self variety (Black, Blue,
Chocolate, Lilac, Tort) and the following will apply:
If your Lynx does not carry the 'a' self gene - you'll get a litter of
all Agouti's - Castors, Opals, Chocolate Agouti, Lynx, Red, Fawn.
If your Lynx carries the 'a' self gene - you will get at least 1 Self in
the litter - Tort, Black, Blue, Chocolate, or Lilac. It only takes 1 of
these colors in a litter to prove your Lynx carries this gene.
'c' REW gene - This is the gene responsible for producing REW's. This gene blocks the
ability to express any pigmentation from all the other color genes (including
within the eyes), thus producing a completely white rabbit with red eyes.
To testbreed your Lynx, breed to a REW -
If your Lynx does not carry the 'c' REW gene - you'll get a litter of all
colored kits - Castors, Opals, Chocolate Agouti, Lynx, etc.
If your Lynx carries the 'c' REW gene - you will get at least 1 REW in
the litter. It only takes 1 REW in a litter to prove your Lynx carries
this gene.
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