The Altex ( ) is a commercial breed of
domestic rabbit
The domestic rabbit (''Oryctolagus cuniculus domesticus'') is the domestication, domesticated form of the European rabbit, a member of the lagomorph order. A male rabbit is known as a ''buck,'' a female as a ''doe,'' and a young rabbit as a ''k ...
developed, beginning in 1994, for
cuniculture, specifically for the rabbit
meat industry
The meat industry are the people and companies engaged in modern industrialized livestock agriculture for the production, packing, preservation and marketing of meat (in contrast to dairy products, wool, etc.). In economics, the meat industry is ...
.
The Altex breed is not recognized by the
American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA) or by the
British Rabbit Council
The British Rabbit Council (BRC) is an organisation for rabbit enthusiasts in the United Kingdom. Rabbits are the UK's third most popular pet.
History
The British Rabbit Council was formed in 1934 when the British Rabbit Society and the National ...
(BRC).
The name ''Altex'' refers to this breed's initial development at
Alabama A&M University and at
Texas A&M University–Kingsville. The breed was developed from
Flemish Giant,
Champagne d'Argent, and
Californian stock.
Altex rabbits are a "Terminal Sire" rabbit and are bred for quick weight gain, as opposed to high weight gain. Bucks are bred to
New Zealand
New Zealand () is an island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean. It consists of two main landmasses—the North Island () and the South Island ()—and List of islands of New Zealand, over 600 smaller islands. It is the List of isla ...
does and the resulting litter go to market, on average, on week earlier than New Zealand fryers.
Altex rabbits typically weigh 13 pounds and have coat markings similar to the Californian rabbit: white with dark points on the extremities.
See also
*
List of rabbit breeds
As of 2017, there were at least 305 breeds of the domestic rabbit in 70 countries around the world raised for in the Agriculture, agricultural practice of Selective breeding, breeding and raising domestic rabbits as livestock for their value in m ...
References
External links
*
Rabbit breeds
Rabbit breeds originating in the United States
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