Learn more about the Cinnamon Rabbit Breed. Discover cool facts, pictures, resources and find information about caring for Cinnamon Rabbits.
This rabbit breed information page is part of our rabbit breeds article series.
Cinnamon Rabbit Resource Links: Free Rabbit Breeders Newsletter | Cinnamon Rabbit Breed Info | Cinnamon Rabbit Information and History | Cinnamon Rabbit Care | Cinnamon Rabbit Resources
Cinnamon Rabbit Breed Info
Recognized colors: one standard color
Size: 9-11 pounds
National Specialty Club:
cinnamonrabbitbreedersassociation.webs.com
Cinnamon Rabbit Breed Photo Credit: rightpet.com
Cinnamon Rabbit Information and History
Many rabbit breeders don’t support the sale of Easter pets. But in addition to being responsible for starting a great number of today’s breeders in the rabbit fancy, the sale of Easter pets led to the development of a whole new breed.
The Cinnamon was the surprising product of a series of crossbred matings. That Easter pet, a chinchilla doe, was given to a Montana girl by the name of Belle Houseman in the early 1960’s. Soon she and her brother obtained a New Zealand buck and bred the two. The children joined 4-H and began raising purebred rabbits, but their father Ellis occasionally allowed them a crossbred pairing as well. When a Checkered Giant and a Californian were mixed in, the first Cinnamon colored rabbit appeared. At the suggestion of J. Cyril Lowett, a well-known judge, the line was developed into a new breed. Despite several challenges, the Houseman family pioneered the Cinnamon to ARBA acceptance in 1972.
Another commercial breed in type and fur, the Cinnamon color is genetically a black tortoise, with the genotype aa BB CC DD ee. Rufus modifiers contribute to the especially rusty color, and the wide band gene may also play a part. This breed should be the color of ground cinnamon, with smoky gray shading. The standard actually calls for smoke-gray markings on the ears and nose, as well as rusty “lap spots” inside the hind legs. The belly is smoky gray and the undercolor – that is the color of the hair shaft next to the skin – should be orange.
The Cinnamon breed faces the challenge of retaining its place in the ARBA Standard, competing for popularity with the American Sable, Crème d’Argent, Champagne d’Argent, and other breeds of similar type and fur that have an emphasis on color. In 2010, one study [1] ranked the Cinnamon as the third most rare breed in the United States. However, they are not under the wing of the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy because the genetics are not as unique as some rare breeds. In other words, the Cinnamon especially needs help. The breed is found only on the North American continent and it can be difficult to locate stock for sale. However, the Cinnamon is a versatile breed. Its temperament is docile as a rule and it is large enough to be useful for meat production. If you think it would be fun to have your meat-producing hutches filled with Cinnamon bunnies instead of white ones, consider giving the “spice of rabbits” a try.
Members or officers of the Cinnamon Rabbit Breeders Association, the ARBA chartered national specialty club, can help you locate a breeder nearest to your area.
Reference [1] http://www.rabbitgeek.com/rarelist.html
Cinnamon Rabbit Care
Here is a list of resources to help you care for your cinnamon rabbits…
- How to Raise Rabbits – information and resources on the subject of raising rabbits
- Breeding Rabbits – learn more about how to breed rabbits for show, meat or profit
- Rabbit Supplies for Sale – find rabbit supplies for sale
- Feeding Rabbits – information and resources on the topic of feeding your rabbits
- Rabbit Health – learn more about rabbit health and care
Cinnamon Rabbit Resources
Here is a listing of cinnamon rabbit resources to help you out with your rabbit project…
- Rabbit Breeders Newsletter – be sure to claim your free subscription to our rabbit breeders newsletter in order to start receiving free rabbit information and resources via email
- Cinnamon Rabbits for Sale – use our rabbit classifieds to find cinnamon rabbits for sale
- Cinnamon Rabbit Breeders – locate cinnamon rabbit breeders using our huge rabbit breeders directory
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