Creme d'Argent bunnies two weeks old.
Creme d'Argent rabbits are a beautiful, frosted gold rabbit developed in France. They are born orange, and as they mature, each hair is tipped with silver. They are somewhat smaller than the Silver Fox rabbits, but I just can't get over that beautiful coloring! Cremes are gentle, calm rabbits with good meat characteristics, and the does are good mothers. This is a rare breed in need of preservation. Cremes are listed as "watch" on the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy conservation priority list, which means there are fewer than 200 annual registrations in the United States and estimated global population is less than 2,000 animals.
In my search for these rare gems, I was lucky enough to contact Travis West, Secretary of the Creme D'Argent Rabbit Federation. He not only gave me a start with two beautiful does from his own rabbitry, both of which have been shown successfully, but he also did me the enormous favor of shopping for an outcross buck at the 2006 National Convention in Texas. The buck he purchased for me took Best of Opposite Sex in Cremes! Is that too cool or what!! Travis is very high on my list of really good people.
Silver Fox rabbits were developed in the United States in the 1920s as a dual-purpose rabbit, raised for both meat and fur. Their fur is extremely dense and black with silvering throughout. It resembles the fur of an Arctic Silver Fox, being and longer than normal rabbit fur. When stroked backward, it will remain upright until it is brushed back down. The does are excellent mothers and produce large litters that grow quickly and have a high dress-out percentage. These rabbits are known for their gentle, docile nature.
The Silver Fox rabbit is another rare breed in need of preservation, and is listed as "critical" on the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy conservation priority list. This means there are fewer than 50 annual registrations in the United States and estimated global population is less than 500 animals. Patsy Butcher, an ARBA judge and breeder since 1976, was kind enough to give me a start in Silver Foxes with a very nice trio of her rabbits. I have not been disappointed!
Young Creme d'Argent buck. (Please excuse my
poor attempt at setting up this gorgeous
buck. I'm not a bunny showman yet!)
Creme d'Argent Doe (She did a much
better job setting herself up
than I could have done!)