Gene Linkage

I have to admit that I had forgotten all about gene linkage from my high school/college days until I read Candy Haenzel's genetics booklet last year. I originally ordered it because it had a great chart for Angora rabbit folks (like me) who were confused about the different color names and genotypes of Angora rabbits. I use it as a reference for all my color work now as I feel Candy is the foremost expert on Angora rabbit genetics... BUT, my favorite part of her booklet was actually the chapter on Linkage. 

I have a black buck that carries shaded. His genotype is aaBbCc^chlDdEe. He has produced several pearls and sable kits, all of them chocolate based. 

According to the rules of linkage, genes that are linked will remained linked about 65% of the time. In rabbits, the B and C loci are linked. So...I hypothesized that my black buck's b is linked to the shaded gene (c^chl) since the shadeds he produces have all been chocolate (bb) based.    

One of this buck's offspring was also black. I kept him and wondered if my hypothesis was correct. If it was, this young black buck would probably not carry shaded as his mother (a chocolate doe) would not have a B to contribute. His B would have to come from his father. Since the father's b was linked to his shaded gene, it would follow that the father's B was linked to his C.

I bred this younger buck to a REW doe because I felt they would be a nice pairing with the added benefit of seeing if the buck carried shaded.  

Did I get REW or shaded kits so my hypothesis could be easily confirmed? Nope. I got 3 black kits and one lilac tortoiseshell. The buck could be CC. I hadn't planned on breeding him again as I have a better potential herd sire now, but I admit that it is tempting just to see if I was right. 

Johnson County RBA Show WrapUp

Kelfla's Bruce Lee

Judge Ken & writer @ Show B

Just my daughter and I went up for the Cleburne show this past weekend.  We had a great time visiting with our rabbit friends.  Last time we were in Cleburne, we came to the Friday show as well, but this time we could only squeeze in the Saturday show. 


My daughter brought her new Satin Angora she got from Amanda LaDue and got a lot of great comments (Thanks, Amanda!).  

Both of the judges were so complementary and really took the time to talk to Kiki about her rabbit.  I can't say enough how much a kind judge will impact a youth exhibitor.  Kiki was completely pumped after the show.  It was so nice to see her so excited.  








Here are the show results:

Show B (Judge Ken McCracken)

English Angoras BOB: Ricardo Gonzalez (blue tort doe)

English Angoras BOS: Kelly Flading (black buck)

Satin Angoras BOB: Kiki (REW doe)

Show C (Judge Conall Addison)

English Angoras BOB: Ricardo Gonzalez (blue tort doe)

English Angoras BOS: Ricardo Gonzalez (REW buck)

Satin Angoras BOB: Kiki (REW doe)

Ricardo grooming one of his beautiful REWs

Kiki & LaDue's Marshmallow

Better Late Than Never

NARBC Booth..My wool entries placed 3rd & 6th

A Betty Chu Tort (L) and my Bruce Lee (R)...No pressure lol

I know it's bad, but I am just now uploading a few Convention pictures that I had stowed away in the camera.  It's been a crazy few weeks getting caught up after being gone a week. I've been working with fiber mostly and a bit of knitting/crocheting, but the next show is in a little over a week and I just realized that I hadn't posted in a while.  

Marcus, Margaret, and Judge Allen

So...Here's  a few pictures from ARBA Convention 2012.  It was really an amazing experience.  I enjoyed it all.  I wish I had taken more pictures, but I was too busy taking it all in. 
 

Marcus looks on as Judge Allen comments

Our vantage point..best seat in the house. 

 

Johnson County RC/SW RBA Show Wrapup

It was wonderful to see my show friends after a long summer break, BUT...Boy, was it hot in Cleburne TX this weekend!  

Judge Scott judging BIS

We arrived at Friday evening's show and I almost turned right around and went home as it was mighty hot in the barn for Angoras.  The rabbits went straight to the hotel while I checked in for the show. 
 

We took a bit of a gamble, but I was worried about the rabbits. Angoras are usually called to the judge's table towards the end of the show here.  I stayed at the show to be able to scratch the rabbits in case they were called.  Hubby had bunny sitting duties until the sun went down and everything cooled off.  

Bruce Lee's BFF, the fan

I grabbed what was likely the last power outlet in the building and settled in.  Once the sun set and temps cooled, the rabbits came back and I began grooming everyone.  I had just started... and guess what?  Angoras get called to Judge Scott Rodriguez's table.  Eek! (not for Judge Scott...but for my "still in the process of being groomed" rabbits).  I gave him a big laugh by rushing to the table and putting up all three of my entries...with soft hair bands on still their furnishings. Oh geez! 

Judge Scott was very nice and I got some good comments about my all rabbits. I returned Bruce Lee to the grooming table and was able to make finish "dolling him up" for BIS Show A.  Everyone was called to the table for BIS and I was so surprised!  Bruce Lee won 2nd RIS!  I couldn't believe it...that made my whole terrible day...and lots of bunny juggling much better.  

The only thing was that all my Texas Angora friends who have mentored me (like Ricardo, Dana and Sasha) weren't scheduled to arrive until Saturday.  I wanted to call them...but it was so late.  And special thanks to my friend, Ricardo, for  telling me, "Ivermectin that baby.  He'll fill out nicely."  As always, you were right.     

The next day it was still super hot.  I spent a lot of time visiting with my good friends. I chose not to blow out coats again because I didn't want to stress the rabbits. I was working overtime just keeping them on ice. No one looked awful...just not as pretty as when when they're blown out. That's the downside of showing Angoras in Texas. 

After a day filled with ice for buns and fans, the rabbits all made it home safe and healthy.  I, however, was exhausted and dehydrated from rushing around trying to keep rabbits cool.
Here are the show results from this weekend:

Show A (Judge Scott Rodriguez)

English Angoras BOB:  Kelly Flading

2nd Reserve In Show: Kelly Flading (Yay, Bruce Lee!)

Show B (Judge Carrol Hooks)

English Angoras BOB: Caylie Voudren

English Angoras BOS: Kelly Flading (Kingfish)

Satin Angoras BOB: Dana Faber

Satin Angoras BOS: Dana Faber

Show C (Judge Ken McCracken)

English Angoras BOB: Kelly Flading (Bruce Lee)

English Angoras BOS: Sasha McPherson

Satin Angoras BOB: Dana Faber

Satin Angoras BOS: Dana Faber

   
I really wanted to stay for Show C's BIS, but it was just too hot.  It would have been nice to see how Bruce Lee did. 
 

Welcome to the Herd!

We've got a few more rabbits to welcome to the herd! Our last litter is now 16 weeks old. We ended up with 3 black bucks and a chocolate sable doe.  One of the boys is going to a wonderful fiber home. He's a big, fluffy ragdoll who will no doubt make his new family so happy. 

Kelfla's Cricket - Chocolate Sable EA

After much thought, I've decided to hold on to the chocolate sable doe for our pearl program.  She is developing a nicer body type and the best furnishings.  But the real reason she gets to stay is because she is the sweetest little doe, coupled with a good type.  She and the little fiber buck are the most people focused of the litter.  They get so excited to see anyone when they come to the rabbit room and run to the front of their pen for a pet. 

The other two boys...I just couldn't make my mind up on.  Kingfish definitely has a better body type, but might be the messiest little buck ever.  His density is wonderful...but he's like a 5 year old...who just got done playing tackle football... in a tuxedo...on a rainy day.  What a mess! 

Now Bruce Lee will make a nice show rabbit personality wise; he has a decent body...and he's not near so messy.  I had originally sold him as a show bun to a very nice lady.  Her plans have changed and she's not moving to Texas after all.  She gave him his name.  My family liked it...so it stuck.  I will hold on to him for a bit so Kingfish has a buddy to go to shows with.