How does inbreeding affect rabbit stock?

Inbreeding can lead to genetic defects in rabbit stock due to the increased likelihood of homozygous recessive traits being expressed. When closely related rabbits breed, there is a higher chance that both parents may carry the same recessive alleles, which can result in offspring having undesirable genetic conditions. Over time, this can reduce the overall health of a population, as it may amplify the presence of inherited diseases and abnormalities. This is particularly critical in livestock breeding, where maintaining genetic diversity is essential for robust and healthy populations. The consequences of inbreeding extend beyond just individual animals, potentially affecting the entire stock's viability and productivity in the long term.