Caldes

The Caldes rabbit is best understood as a Spanish meat-rabbit line rather than a widely known fancy breed. It was developed in Catalonia, associated with Caldes de Montbui and research and production programs for commercial rabbit meat. Caldes animals are typically medium-sized white rabbits of New Zealand White and related meat-line appearance, selected for growth, carcass traits, and performance in crossbreeding rather than for decorative color. In records and research papers the name may appear as a strain or line, so it can mean a maintained genetic population, not every white rabbit sold under the label.

Management is usually commercial or small-farm based: clean cages or pens, controlled breeding, good ventilation, and diets designed for rapid but healthy growth. Caldes stock may be used as a sire or terminal line in meat programs, where uniform weights and reliable post-weaning performance matter. Buyers should ask how the line has been maintained, whether animals are pure Caldes or Caldes-derived crosses, and what production records are available. As pets, they need the same social handling and enrichment as any domestic rabbit, but their main human context is production and applied research.

Colors: Agouti, Albino, Black, Blue, Broken, Charlie, Chestnut, Chinchilla, Chocolate, Cream, Fawn, Harlequin, Himalayan, Lilac, Lynx, Magpie, Marten, Opal, Orange, Otter, Pointed White, Red, Sable, Seal, Squirrel, Tortoise, Tri-Color, Vienna Marked, White