Mini Rex breed origins:
Mini Rex Rabbit
In 1988 the breed was recognised by the American Rabbit Breeders’ Association. In Australia the breed was probably started by Theresa Piggotti in 1990. The first Mini Rex here were bred from Netherland Dwarfs and standard Rex so tended to look a bit Neth. but the breed has improved dramatically since then.
Housing and Care:
A Mini Rex is a dwarf breed of rabbit and housing 80-90cm long by 60cm wide by 50 cm high is sufficient. As they tend to suffer from the heat more than other breeds (except Satins) because of their dense coat, they will need plenty of ventilation and a cooling fan in the summer. Direct sunlight isn’t good because it fades the fur.
Otherwise they don’t need any special attention other than the usual for the rabbit - a proper diet (pellets, mix, lucerne chaff, fruit, vegetables, water), grooming when in moult (about twice a year), regular cleaning of the cage, and lots of TLC.
Characteristics of the Rex:
The Rex character consists of a shortening of the guard hairs until they are below or level with the undercoat, thus producing an exquisite, plush like coat, of some i inch length, with a velvet touch. In some cases guard hairs do project, and are considered a fault in the breed. An adult Mini Rex should weigh between 1.587 and 2.037 kilos. Their chief feature is their short, dense plush coat.
Marketing:
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Mini Rex female and young
Rex Furs are the most valuable rabbits furs commercially and the carcasses are also suitable for the meat trade.
- The best qualities of Rex Furs will usually bring as much as double that obtained for the normal furred pelts. Not all colors are however in demand.
- The Chinchilla Rex and the Havana Rex pelts are almost always wanted, but some of the other pelts, the Orange Rex for example, although a most popular exhibition variety, have a lower value.
The Rex fur is only at its best when the animal is mature, and it is therefore necessary to keep the Rexes a minimum of 6 - 7 months, and more usually 8mths, before pelting. The mature Rex will weigh between 6 to 8 lbs., and thus the carcase weight of the Rex when pelted will be about 4 or slightly more lbs.
Health:
The early Rexes were of weak constitution, and suffered considerably from various ailments. Indeed it was thought by many that the character arose through disease. This of course is completely incorrect, and the Rexes are as sound constitutionally and as hardy as the other breeds.
