Predict rabbit kit coat colors from parent genotypes. Covers A, B, C, D, E loci, dilute, extension, and common breed color patterns.
Rabbit coat color is determined by five main gene loci: A (agouti), B (brown), C (color/albino series), D (dilute), and E (extension). Each locus has multiple alleles arranged in a dominance hierarchy, and the interaction between all five loci produces the enormous variety of rabbit colors — from jet black to pure white, and everything in between.
Understanding these genetics helps breeders predict offspring colors, plan breeding programs to produce desired colors, and avoid unwittingly producing unshowable colors. The A locus controls whether pigment is banded (agouti) or solid; B determines black vs. chocolate base color; C controls color intensity (including pointed white and albino); D determines normal vs. dilute (blue, lilac); and E controls extension of color across the body.
This calculator predicts the probability of different kit colors from two parents. Enter the known or suspected genotype at each locus for both the sire and dam to see the full Punnett square breakdown. Common colors like REW (ruby-eyed white/albino, cc), black (aaB-C-D-E-), blue (aaB-C-ddE-), and chocolate (aabbC-D-E-) result from specific allele combinations across all five loci.
Color genetics predictions help breeders plan matings to produce desired colors, understand why unexpected colors appear, track recessive alleles through generations, and avoid costly surprise litters of unshowable colors. This rabbit color genetics calculator helps you compare outcomes quickly and reduce avoidable mistakes when making day-to-day care decisions. Use the estimate as a planning baseline and confirm final decisions with a qualified professional when risk is high.
Each locus is inherited independently (Mendelian inheritance). At each locus: homozygous × homozygous → 100% same genotype. Heterozygous × homozygous recessive → 50% het, 50% homozygous recessive. Heterozygous × heterozygous → 25% homozygous dominant, 50% het, 25% homozygous recessive. Full color probability = product of individual locus probabilities. Dominance hierarchies: A: A>aᵗ>a; B: B>b; C: C>cᶜʰᵈ>cᶜʰˡ>cʰ>c; D: D>d; E: Es>E>eⱼ>e.
Result: Kit colors: approximately 12 possible colors including black, blue, chocolate, lilac, agouti and self variants, with ~6.25% REW.
Both parents carry recessive alleles at multiple loci. Any combination of homozygous recessive at B (chocolate), D (dilute/blue), C (REW), or E (non-extension) with aa (self) vs A- (agouti) produces different visible colors. The probability of each is calculated by multiplying independent locus ratios.
**A Locus (Agouti):** Controls hair banding. A = agouti (banded, wild pattern), aᵗ = tan (otter pattern), a = self (solid). The agouti bands create the typical "wild rabbit" look with ticked fur. **B Locus (Brown):** B = black pigment, b = chocolate (brown) pigment. Simple dominance. **C Locus (Color):** Most complex with 5 alleles controlling intensity. Full color (C) through chinchilla (removes yellow), sable (light chinchilla), pointed/Himalayan (color on extremities only), to albino (c, no pigment). **D Locus (Dilute):** D = dense/normal, d = dilute. Dilute turns black → blue and chocolate → lilac. Simple recessive. **E Locus (Extension):** Controls how far color extends. Es = steel (darkened agouti), E = normal extension, eⱼ = Japanese (harlequin), e = non-extension (fawn/tort/orange base).
**Black:** aaB-C-D-E-. **Blue:** aaB-C-ddE-. **Chocolate:** aabbC-D-E-. **Lilac:** aabbC-ddE-. **Chestnut Agouti:** A-B-C-D-E-. **Opal:** A-B-C-ddE-. **Chinchilla:** A-B-cᶜʰᵈ-D-E-. **Siamese Sable:** aa-cᶜʰˡcᶜʰˡ-D-. **Pointed White (Himalayan):** --cʰcʰ-- or --cʰc--. **REW (Albino):** --cc--.
Each locus segregates independently (like Mendel's peas). Calculate the probability at each locus separately, then multiply all five probabilities together for the overall color probability. For example: Aa × Aa = 75% A- : 25% aa at the A locus. Bb × Bb = 75% B- : 25% bb at B. The chance of aabb (chocolate self) = 25% × 25% = 6.25% (before considering C, D, E loci).
The agouti locus determines hair banding pattern. A (agouti) produces banded hairs with rings of color — this creates the "wild" pattern (like cottontails). aᵗ (tan) produces self-colored top with lighter belly. a (self) produces solid color throughout. Dominance: A > aᵗ > a.
The C locus is the most complex — it controls color intensity with 5 alleles: C (full color), cᶜʰᵈ (dark chinchilla — removes yellow/red), cᶜʰˡ (light chinchilla/sable), cʰ (Himalayan/pointed white — color only on extremities), c (REW/albino — no pigment, ruby eyes). Dominance: C > cᶜʰᵈ > cᶜʰˡ > cʰ > c.
Visible color (phenotype) reveals dominant alleles, but recessive alleles may be hidden. To determine genotype: know the parents' colors (pedigree), test-breed to a known recessive, or observe offspring from multiple breedings. DNA testing is available but uncommon for rabbits.
Broken (En locus) produces white patches mixed with color. EnEn = "Charlie" (mostly white, too much white for show). Enen = broken (ideal show pattern). enen = solid. The En gene is on a separate locus from the A/B/C/D/E system covered in this calculator.
Both parents likely carry hidden recessive alleles. A black rabbit may be AaBbCcDdEe — carrying genes for agouti, chocolate, REW, dilute, and non-extension. When bred to another carrier, any combination of these recessives can appear in kits. This is why pedigree knowledge is crucial.
REW (albino) is homozygous cc at the C locus. This completely prevents pigment production regardless of all other loci. A REW rabbit can carry ANY combination of A, B, D, E genes — they're just hidden. This is why REW × REW always produces REW, but REW × colored can produce many colors if the REW carries hidden alleles.