New Zealand rabbit
The New Zealand is a 9–12 lb meat rabbit for a backyard meat herd. Penn State ranks it first for meat production, and Texas A&M credits commercial New Zealand White does with outstanding fertility, mothering instinct and milk production. Adults need a cage of at least 30 × 30 in. Despite the name, it was developed in the United States.
- Cold tolerance
- Heat tolerance
- Space needed
- 6.25 sq ft
Is the New Zealand right for you?
Good fit if
- You want one breed for backyard meat: Texas A&M says to consider the commercial New Zealand White
- You want does that raise litters well. Texas A&M credits them with outstanding fertility, mothering instinct and milk production
- You want to show: ARBA says no breed has more Best in Show wins
Poor fit if
- You want the best meat-to-bone ratio from a purebred. Texas A&M names lower dress-out as the White's weak point
- You only have room for a small cage. Adults need at least 30 × 30 in
- Your rabbits would sit in a hot yard with no shade
Appearance and varieties
The New Zealand has a commercial body type, the meat-rabbit build, and is one of the breeds Ohio State lists as most popular for raising market rabbits. Penn State gives a mature weight of 9–12 lb and ARBA's maximum is 12 lb. Texas A&M gives ideal weights for the White of 10 lb for bucks and 11 lb for does.
ARBA shows five varieties: Black, Blue, Broken, Red and White. The White is all white. It is shown in six classes.41325
| Variety | Notes |
|---|---|
| White | All white. ARBA says it overtook the Red because a white pelt was easy to dye for the fur market.532 |
| Red | The older variety: Texas A&M says the White appeared after the Red, and ARBA says Reds were at first the more popular.532 |
| Black | 5 |
| Blue | 5 |
| Broken | Registered as Broken Black, Broken Blue or Broken Red.5 |
Production numbers
What to expect from a healthy doe. If two sources disagree, you see the full range.
| Measure | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Litter size | 7–10 kits19 | Commercial meat rabbits in general: Penn State says 8–10, Texas A&M says 7–8 |
| Fryer weight | About 5 lb at about 10 weeks1 | Penn State's figure for fryers of commercial meat breeds in general |
| Litters per year | About 51 | With kits weaned at about 30 days. Figure for commercial rabbits in general. |
| Gestation | 31–32 days on average17 | All rabbits. ARBA gives a typical range of 28–32 days. |
| First breeding age | 6–7 months1 | Medium-weight breeds of 9–12 lb; bucks mature about a month later than does |
| Doe's productive life | 2–3 years at full litter size1 | Figure for commercial rabbits in general |
| Doe traits | Outstanding fertility, mothering instinct and milk production9 | Texas A&M, of commercial New Zealand White and Californian × New Zealand White does |
| Weak point | Lower carcass dress-out and less meat for its bone9 | Texas A&M, of the commercial New Zealand White. Californian or Champagne d'Argent bucks on New Zealand White does improve fryer meat yield. |
Planning a litter? Use the rabbit gestation calculator.
Housing, feed and health
Housing
Penn State recommends an individual cage at least 30 in wide, 30 in deep and 20 in high for each mature buck or doe, in all-metal wire with a feeder and waterer fixed to the outside. UMass Extension goes bigger for this breed, listing it with large breeds at 48 × 30 × 18 in. Put a nest box in the doe's cage 28 days after breeding.
Penn State stresses that rabbits don't tolerate temperature extremes well. ARBA gives 55–70°F as the ideal range and says rabbits do poorly above 85°F, so give shade and moving air in summer.187
Feed
Penn State says a commercial pellet meets all of a rabbit's needs. Bucks, and does without litters, need 6–8 oz of pellets a day. Pregnant does and does with litters should have all they can eat.
Give fresh, clean water every day. A doe and her litter drink about 1 gallon a day in warm weather.1
Health
Penn State lists cleanliness, good ventilation, close observation and protection from sun and rain as the basics of a healthy herd. Keep new or sick rabbits in separate cages away from the rest.
Summer heat is a risk. Alabama Extension says rabbits don't cope well above 90°F and in high humidity, and that heat can make bucks sterile and stop does breeding.
This is a starting point, not medical advice. If a rabbit stops eating or seems unwell, call a vet who treats rabbits, or your county extension office.111
Where to buy
We found only one breeder page with a dated New Zealand price, and we need two to quote a range.
Start with a breeder you can visit. Nobody pays to be on this list.
| Seller or directory | Type | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| ARBA Find a Breeder | Directory | Search by breed and state |
| AFNZRB (New Zealand rabbit breeders' club) | Breed club | The national club ARBA links to for the breed; club contacts and show dates |
Budgeting for housing and feed as well? See the rabbit cost guide.
Similar breeds
| Breed | Adult weight | Litter size | Beginner | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Zealand (this breed) | 9–12 lb | |||
| Californian | 8–10.5 lb | 7–10 kits | ||
| Silver Fox | 9–12 lb | 6–8 kits | $25–$150 |
Head to head: New Zealand vs Californian
History
ARBA says that despite the name, the New Zealand was developed in the United States and became a recognised breed in 1916. It was prized for quick growth and meat production.
The Red came first. ARBA says Reds were at first the more popular, and that the White soon took over because a white pelt was easy to dye for the fur market. Texas A&M calls the White an American creation that appeared after the Red, and one of the best all-round commercial breeds.32
Common questions
How big do New Zealand rabbits get?
Penn State gives a mature weight of 9–12 lb, and ARBA's maximum is 12 lb. Texas A&M gives ideal weights for the White of 10 lb for bucks and 11 lb for does.132
Are New Zealand rabbits good for meat?
Yes. Penn State says medium-weight New Zealand Whites are best for meat production, and Texas A&M says that if you want a single breed for backyard meat, consider the commercial New Zealand White. Fryers of commercial meat breeds are usually processed at about 5 lb, at around 10 weeks.19
Are New Zealand rabbits from New Zealand?
No. ARBA says that despite the name the breed was developed in the United States, where it was recognised in 1916.3
What colours do New Zealand rabbits come in?
ARBA shows five varieties: Black, Blue, Broken, Red and White. Reds came first, but the White became the more popular.53
New Zealand or Californian for meat?
Penn State ranks the New Zealand White first and the Californian second. Texas A&M says the New Zealand White's weak point is lower carcass dress-out and less meat for its bone, and that Californian bucks on New Zealand White does can improve fryer meat yield.19
How many kits does a New Zealand doe have?
No litter-size figure here is for New Zealands alone. For commercial meat rabbits in general, Penn State gives an average litter of 8–10 kits and Texas A&M gives 7–8. Texas A&M does credit commercial New Zealand White does with outstanding fertility, mothering instinct and milk production.19
Sources
The small numbers beside each fact point to one of these.
- Penn State Extension, Rabbit Production.
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Rabbit Project Reference Manual (AS 2.010, April 2000).
- American Rabbit Breeders Association, Recognized breeds.
- Ohio State University Extension, Ashtabula County, Study Tips for Rabbit Breeds, revised 2016 (PDF).
- American Rabbit Breeders Association, ARBA Official Breed ID Guide: Rabbit (updated January 2026).
- BreedBarn, Editorial rating, method on the editorial policy page.
- American Rabbit Breeders Association, hosted by University of New Hampshire Extension, ARBA Recommendations for the Care of Rabbits and Cavies.
- UMass Amherst Center for Agriculture, Food, and the Environment, Rabbit Housing.
- Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, Backyard Production of Meat Rabbits in Texas (E-138).
- The Livestock Conservancy, Conservation Priority List.
- Alabama Cooperative Extension System, Summer Heat and Rabbit Production, UNP-0082 (PDF).
- Utah State University Extension, Pet Rabbit Projects: Getting Started (PDF).
Something wrong? Tell us and we'll check it.