This Page updated 10-31-06
So, you have a torted tri and it was DQ'd at a show, where do you go from here?
Answer the following questions and decide from there.
1) Does the rabbit have exceptional type?
2) Does the rabbit have exceptional markings (other than the torty markings)?
3) Does the rabbit have the fur density, texture and color (other than the torty markings) that you want to see in your herd?
4) Are you willing to breed reds in to improve your color?
If you answered yes to all of the questions above then you can use the torty tri to help improve your herd. If you answered no to any of the questions you should not use this rabbit. If you answered no to question #4 you will see MANY MANY more torty tris from your lines.
WHY AM I GETTING THESE TORTY TRIS? Is the question you need answered now.
It all comes down to the genetics of what is behind your rabbits. In talking with Harlequin breeders I realized that they too had this problem for a time when they were beginning the breed. The ONLY difference between a torty tri and a normal tri is the absence of an agouti producing gene and luckily for us the agouti gene is dominant and very easy to add. Here are the genetics of both colors:
Torty Tri: aa ej_ (the space is an unknown gene and can be either "ej" or "e" ONLY)
Normal Tri: A_ ej_ (the first space is an unknown gene and can be "A","at" or "a")
...the second space is as in the torty tri genetics shown above.
***If you dont understand this please go and read the genetics of tris first then come back here and re-read this.
Do not blame this solely on the torte that is way in the background last line of the pedigree because it has to come from both sides to happen. If we are going to ban tortes from the breeding program of tris then we should also ban blacks, blues, chocolates and lilacs from the program because in order to produce tris from them they must also carry the recessive "ej" or "e" genes not to mention the fact that all of those colors are "aa" or self rabbits. Even pedigrees that are 100% tri or 100% red and tri can pop these colors out as the self gene can remain hidden for many generations.
What this all comes down to is that you need to cross in a red or agouti carrying tri or red to put the agouti gene back into your herd to keep getting acceptable tris. You can use a AA tri on your Aa and aa rabbits as well to get 100% showable non torted animals. You still may get charlies though which are not showable.
One more quick note...if you cross in agoutis that don't carry red or tri you will get mismarked animals with banding on the bellies. These animals can be used to breed for tris as they are carriers but they should be used only for breeding and should not be shown as showable animals. Contact me for any questions you have at: iceboxdesign@hotmail.com
