The C Series
The C genes are a bit more complicated than the A and B genes, mainly because there are so many. This category includes C, c(chd), c(chl), c(h), and c. Now before you decide to abandon this whole genetics thing, the concept of the C genes are pretty straight forward. Instead of controlling the actual color of the rabbit, it controls how much color is shown.
The Full Color Gene (C):
Orange doe
The C gene, also known as the full color gene, saturates the fur with the most pigment of any gene. Examples include Chestnuts, Oranges, Blacks, Blues and Otters. Notice no shading or points are caused by this gene, as the rabbit is fully colored.
This gene can be paired with any C series gene, including itself.
The Chinchilla Dark Gene (c{chd}):
Black Frosty Buck
The c(chd) gene causes a rabbit to have a silvery cast, as well as white where the yellow tinted fur is on a full color rabbit. For example, if you replace an orange's C gene with a c(chd) gene, it becomes a frosty. Other c(chd) colors include chinchilla, sallander, and black silver marten.
The chinchilla dark gene is dominant over any gene except the C gene.
The Chinchilla Light gene (c{chl}):
A sable point doe
The c(chl) gene is where things get a little complicated. Unlike other genes, chinchilla light is not fully dominant. This means that different recessive genes will make the rabbit's color look different. Because of this, a rabbit with two c(chl) genes will appear darker than a chinchilla light rabbit that is c(chl) and carriers a c(h) or c. This is shown clearly with seals and siamese sables. Seal rabbits carry c(chl), and all siamese carry either c(h) or c.
The c(chl) can carry itself, c(h), or c.
The Himalayan gene (c{h}):
Himalayan, or pointed white rabbits have very little pigment anywhere on their coat. They are nearly albino, even possessing red eyes. However, they do have color on their paws, muzzle, and ears. Pointed whites may carry c(h) or c.
The Ruby gene c:
Two REW kits
When a rabbit has two ruby genes, all color is absent from their coat. These genes create an albino bunny, no matter what A, B, D, or E genes it has. The c gene can only carry itself.
That covers the basics of the C gene! Though it may seem a little complicated at first, rabbit genetics are really pretty simple. If you have any questions, feel free to email me at bunnyjeans101@gmail.com