American Chinchilla Rabbit: Lifespan, Diet, Size, Care, and Facts

American Chinchilla rabbit breed is very big in size. They are friendly and loving to have them as a pet.

Their fur is very soft and pettable which looks same as a South American chinchilla.

This breed before usually used for its flesh and fur. As these breed is friendly and gentle people started love to keep them as pet.

American Chinchilla Rabbit – Overview

American Chinchilla Rabbit Origins

The American Chinchilla Rabbit first comes in France. They were created in starting of 20^th century then in 1913 first time appeared in public. At the New York State Fair in 1919 two American rabbit breeders saw and bought them from the exhibition.

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They bred them with White Flemish Giant Rabbits, American Blue Rabbits and New Zealand Whites to create a new breed today known as American Chinchilla Breed. Because of some people breeding them for meat and fur they are disappearing and get listed in critically endangered by the American Livestock Breed Conservancy.

American Chinchilla Rabbit Characteristics

Chinchilla Rabbits are mainly not related to chinchillas. These rabbits just got their name because of the color of fur same as chinchillas. Their fur has very interesting markings in a blue ash-gray.

For your knowledge, their single hair is not like as similar color. But, these are dark or black from the root and from the end, and in-between it is in white color.  

They were admired by the people in starting because of their change of fur’s color with the light all day long. Their fur makes them special even today.

American Chinchilla Appearance and Size

Because of their heavy weighs between 9 and 12 ponds the American Chinchilla Rabbit breed for the commercial use. It has a wide head, very strong legs and upright short ears.

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It’s the look like as more attractive and different feature is their thick fur. But, this is, when that turns back to its original position as touching.

Types of Chinchilla Rabbits

There are three special rabbit breeds between the chinchilla rabbit breed category:

Standard Chinchilla Rabbit – The smallest variety, having weighed around 5-7 pounds.

American Chinchilla Rabbit – Medium-sized, perfect for both fellowship and commercial use.

Giant Chinchilla – The largest, weighing 12 and 16 pounds, originally bred for meat rabbits.

American Chinchilla Rabbit Color Varieties

The American Chinchilla Rabbits are generally recognized in just one color. Their beautiful chinchilla-colored coat with different bands on its hair gives a shine and sparkling look. This the reason makes them favorite among the rabbit lovers and American breeders.

American Chinchilla Temperament and Personality

These chinchilla rabbits are popular for their calm, gentle and loving nature. They love to spend time with human that makes them perfect pets for the beginner, families and also for the individuals. As they are intelligent species so they can easily learn simple commands.

American Chinchilla Rabbit Lifespan

As per pet owners, American Chinchilla Rabbits have normally living duration about 5-8 years. Instead of this, your rabbit’s health also depends on offering a balanced diet, fresh water, and safe living space.

American Chinchilla Rabbits Care Needs

While it is still a bunny, you should potty train your American Chinchilla rabbit as soon as possible.

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Your rabbit is intelligent, so easily understand as you pick up some droppings. And, keep them in a litter box filled with the dried timothy hay.

Rabbits usually eat their first droppings passed out from their digestive system.

The pellets mix with the probiotic bacteria in rabbit’s blind gut during the second digestion.

After the probiotic bacteria turns the fiber in the grass then rabbit eats that into the fatty acids (rabbits gets the same amount of calories from the fiber as humans can get from the ice cream) then rabbit will produce the small and hard pellets.

You can leave in your rabbit’s litter box for one or two days before cleanings.

American Chinchilla Rabbit Diet & Nutrition

To grow vigorously your American Chinchilla Rabbit is needed a proper balanced and healthy diet.

This is very important for their digestion and helps to prevent the dental problems. You have to start providing minimum 70% high quality hay as their diet.

You can offer them fresh leafy greens as the supplement, but you have to be making sure not to exceed more than 10% of their total diet.

American Chinchilla Rabbit Health Issues

As told above that American Chinchilla Rabbit has lifespan up to 5 and 8 years. They generally have very few health issues. The American Chinchilla Rabbits doesn’t have any genetic diseases like other pet rabbits have fur related health problems.

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These rabbits have main health issue is in their teeth. Although a rabbit’s teeth does never stop to grow. They need the things to chew for teeth’s health.

In case, your rabbit’s teeth have grown too long that can cause the pain in their jaws and faces. It also becomes the problem in eating. If this happened to your rabbit you need to take him to the veterinarian to file them down.

American Chinchilla Rabbits Breeding

There are some things you need to consider if you want to breed American chinchilla rabbits:

You must be selecting the healthy rabbits with good friendly behavior.

For your knowledge, they must be at minimum 6 months old before breeding.

American Chinchilla rabbits normally gave birth to 6 to 8 babies.

American Chinchilla Rabbit vs. Other Breeds

The American Chinchillas are popular for their different color and extremely soft fur. They are usually little big and more active than some small breeds. They can’t be hold in your lap, unless your lap’s size same as the bed of a small dog.

Before choosing a breed thinks about your experience and your lifestyle. If you are a fresher and going to own a rabbit find a smaller and calmer breed which can be cared easily. Remember it’s a big responsibility so don’t take more than you can handle.

American Chinchilla Rabbit Breeders

You can check out here some American Chinchilla rabbit breeders and resources:

You can find the breeder’s contact and get support about this rare breed from the main national club like The American Chinchilla rabbit Breeders Association (ACRBA).

Double Chins Rabbitry in California breeds American and Giant Chinchilla rabbits and they take parts in ARBA/ACRBA shows.

The ARBA “Find a Breeder” list includes American Chinchilla breeders across the U.S., such as Diane Franet (CA), Double Chins Rabbitry (CA), Miles Whitney (CA), William Wynn (LA), Jenny Robinson (NH), and others.

Peace of Eden in West Virginia sells pedigreed American Chinchillas that focus on their traditional bloodlines.

American Chinchilla Rabbits Facts

Because of their calm and friendly nature they are famous as best pet for the children.

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Even though they started as meat rabbits but today they are famous for shows because of their beautiful fur and gentle nature.

The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy listed the American Chinchilla as a threatened breed.

The Chinchilla rabbit has helped to create more breeds and types of rabbit in around the world than the breeds of domestic rabbits.

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

What Do American Chinchilla Rabbits Eat?

American Chinchilla rabbits mainly eat the grass named timothy hay that can help their digestion and teeth. They also eat fresh leafy green included a little bit of good quality pellets. So, small amount of vegetables and fruits are enough as a treat for your pet.

How Long Do American Chinchilla Rabbits Live?

American Chinchilla rabbits usually can live between 5 to 8 years. They can live longer also but with proper care.

How Big Do American Chinchilla Rabbits Get?

American Chinchilla rabbits are a big size breed, usually their weigh is between 9 and 12 pounds when completely grown up. Their body is strong and muscular with a broad chest, strong legs. Their thick soft fur makes their look solid and well-balanced.

Are American Chinchilla Rabbit Endangered?

As studied by livestock conservation groups, American Chinchilla rabbits can be considering as endangered. Now these days, this has low population numbers and limited breeding programs. Cause of this; they are in come as critically endangered today.

Are American Chinchilla Rabbits Rare?

Yes! The American Livestock Breeds Conservancy revealed about the American Chinchilla rabbits that a threatened breeds.

Are American Chinchilla Rabbits Good For Meat?

Yes it’s true! American Chinchilla rabbits were basically developed for their meat and fur also they are famous for their good meat quality.

Final Remarks

At the final, we can say that American Chinchilla rabbit is a unique and famous breed cause of its large size and gentle behavior. Basically created for meat and fur it is now endangered because they left very few.

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This breed is strong and calm by nature which is suitable for the breeders, experienced rabbit owners and conservation programs. It is needed to Protect the American Chinchilla rabbit keep their genetic variety and preserve their family history.

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