What is a Giant Chinchilla rabbit and why is it special?
Giant Chinchilla Rabbits were developed in 1921 in Missouri, by a man named Edward H. Stahl. His goal was to produce a rabbit that would optimally fulfill both Fur and Meat needs - in a single rabbit (which, if you're unfamiliar with meat rabbits, in most breeds their hides are not optimal for use when processed at standard meat age, and their feed/meat conversion suffers when grown out for their hides).
Seeing that this was an opening in the market, he got to work, first by mixing what is now known as the American Chinchilla (then called simply "Chinchilla" from France) with larger sized New Zealand Whites and other larger breeds. Those progeny were then mixed with white Flemish Giants and American Blue rabbits until on Christmas morning, 1921, he finally got what he'd been waiting for - a beautiful doe who he named "Million Dollar Princess".
Unfortunately for Mr. Stahl, the meat rabbit producers lost out to the meat chicken producers and meat rabbits became less and less common. Fur producers went to the white rabbits, as they could dye them any color they wished, and the "Million Dollar Rabbit" breed all but fell apart.
Currently this breed (all 3 varieties of Chinchilla rabbit, actually) are listed on The Livestock Conservancy "Watch" list.
This means "For rabbits, fewer than 200 annual registrations in the U.S., estimated global population less than 2,000, fewer than 500 recorded at rabbit shows in the previous 5 years, and 31-60 breeders."
This means that real Giant Chinchilla rabbits are extremely hard to come by, and rabbits that meet the "Standard of Perfection" for the breed essentially do not exist currently. That is not to say there are not some beautiful Giant Chins in the world, but the SOP is an elusive target. Because of their rarity, many other breeds have been bred in in an attempt to get back to where they used to be.
Other (unscrupulous) breeders are passing off American Chinchillas or gray Flemish Giants (and their mixes) as Giant Chinchillas. Even chinchilla coated New Zealand mixes have recently been being sold as "Giant Chinchilla". This practice is only further hurting the breed as a whole.
We strive to be honest and raise our animals with integrity. A mixed breed animal will never be claimed as "pure", and our Giant Chins will never be claimed as SOP. While we do also breed mixed rabbits, our pure Giant Chinchilla rabbits will always be bred with an eye toward the ever elusive SOP.
These are truly docile and lovable rabbits, who make excellent pets, breeders, and meat rabbits for homesteaders. If you'd like to learn more or get on the waiting list Contact Us here or message us on our Facebook page.
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