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Rabbit colour calculator

Explore Mendelian rabbit coat-colour inheritance from explicit genotypes. A visible colour rarely reveals every recessive allele. The colour-model presets are fully specified examples, not a way to infer a real rabbit's hidden genes.

Calculator

Scope and assumptions
Assumes independent assortment and equal transmission. Modifier rows are separate marginal probabilities, not additional core colours or a joint whole-coat forecast. Silvering and some pattern expression are variable; no health or breeding recommendation is made.
Core colour-model probabilities, before modifiers
DescriptionProbability (%)
Black self56.250
Blue self18.750
Chocolate self18.750
Lilac self6.250
Core genotype probabilities
ABCDEProbability (%)
a/aB/BC/CD/DE/E6.250
a/aB/BC/CD/dE/E12.500
a/aB/BC/Cd/dE/E6.250
a/aB/bC/CD/DE/E12.500
a/aB/bC/CD/dE/E25.000
a/aB/bC/Cd/dE/E12.500
a/ab/bC/CD/DE/E6.250
a/ab/bC/CD/dE/E12.500
a/ab/bC/Cd/dE/E6.250
Separate modifier-locus probabilities
LocusGenotypeProbability (%)

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How this calculator works

At each locus each parent transmits one of two alleles with equal probability. The five core-locus probabilities are multiplied under independent assortment and grouped into descriptive colour models. Albino masks the other core colours. Steel, harlequin, shaded and dilution descriptions reflect the selected alleles, but breed names and exact shades also depend on modifiers. Optional spotting, Vienna, Dutch, silvering, wideband and lutino crosses are reported separately, so their percentages should not be added to the core table.

Formula

For each locus, four equally likely parental allele pairings are counted and identical genotypes are combined. Joint core probability = P(A) × P(B) × P(C) × P(D) × P(E). A colour-model probability sums its compatible core genotypes. All percentages describe possibilities for each offspring, not a guaranteed litter distribution.

Worked example

With all other core loci fixed to a full-colour self dense rabbit, B/b crossed with b/b gives 50% black-base and 50% chocolate-base offspring. Two B/b parents give 75% black-base and 25% chocolate-base. An en/en crossed with En/en gives separate spotting-genotype probabilities of 50% en/en and 50% En/en.

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Frequently asked questions

Can colour alone identify the parental genotype?

Usually not. A dominant-looking rabbit may carry recessive alleles. Use pedigree, test breeding information or a suitable genetic test to support explicit genotypes.

Will a litter contain the exact percentages?

No. The values are probabilities for each offspring. Small litters can differ greatly from the expected proportions.

Why are modifier probabilities in a separate table?

Combining every optional locus can create a very large table, and expression is not always simple dominance. Separate genotype probabilities preserve the inheritance arithmetic without claiming an exact whole-coat phenotype.

Sources

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