Natural Ways Farm is in the process of sourcing quality pedigreed stock to begin rabbit operations in early 2025.

Focus will be on blacks and blues to start with other colors being added as the operations expand.

The Silver Fox rabbit is a rare breed of rabbit developed by Walter B. Garland of North Canton, Ohio, and are bred for meat, show, and its unique fur. The breed is recognized by the American Rabbit Breeders Association, ARBA. Currently ARBA recognizes black and chocolate colors but efforts are afoot for blue and other colors to be also recognized. Silver fox rabbits are excellent for meat as they have a better bone to meat ratio than other breeds. They grow well in hot and cold climate but since rabbits cannot sweat, owners living in hot climatic zones must incorporate strategies to keep them fairly cool in the rabbits’ housing arrangements.

Silver Fox is still considered threatened by the American Livestock Breeds Conservancy, and is also recognized by Slow Food USA’s Ark of Taste, a catalog of U.S. foods in danger of extinction.

The Silver Fox is a large, docile breed that is excellent with children. Senior bucks should weigh 9–11 pounds and senior does should weigh 10–12 pounds. The breed is named for its dense, unique fur which is to closely resembles the pelt of the silver fox. The fur of the Silver Fox rabbit is unique in that it is classified as “stand up” fur; it stands on end until stroked back into place. The Silver Fox is the only breed accepted by ARBA that has stand up fur; by ARBA standard the fur is ideally 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) in length.

The Silver Fox breed is classified as “Commercial” by ARBA. This means that the ideal shape of the Silver Fox is to provide the maximum amount of meat in the prime cuts of the carcass. Well-filled, wide, straight hindquarters; a deep profile which allows for a deep loin; body width equal to the depth of the hindquarters; and a short shoulder all are ideal components of any commercial breed, including the Silver Fox.

Currently, only black and chocolate Silver Foxes can be shown to win best of breed, but the breed comes in a variety of colors, such as blue, lilac, and white, which can be shown with permission from the show runners and with a working standard. Chocolate was recently accepted as an official variety as of the 2021 ARBA convention. As of December of 2021 they can be shown against black Silver Fox and win best of breed and best opposite sex. Blue was previously included in the breed standard, but was removed in the 1970s due to a decrease in the number of blue Silver Fox rabbits being shown. Currently, there is a “Certificate of Development” for blue Silver Foxes to be re-accepted into the ARBA. Blue silver fox can be shown in ARBA recognized shows for exhibition.

Silver Foxes are known to be friendly, enjoying attention and handling.

Rabbit meat is considered white meat in culinary terms. White meat is meat that remains pale in color before and after cooking, and rabbit meat fits this description.

Rabbit meat is high in protein and low in fat, and it has fewer calories than chicken. It also has less cholesterol than beef, pork, and chicken.

NWF will offer selective petting of rabbits to interested visitors touring the farm.