Rabbits: Angoras and Breeding

[Lyllianna]

While There are many posts complaining about rabbit breeding rates; I haven't seen many (if any at all) suggestions to fix it or facts as to why. And while I could have sworn I saw something about Angora rabbits on here many many moons ago; I could not find it with either a search or a quick scan of C&I. So here we go.

Breeding mechanics:
I don't know how you have things set up. Nor do I know which breed of rabbit/hare you have modeled. However looking at only 3 breeds your breeding IS too slow if only barely and only taking into account the number of kits in a litter.

1. The European Rabbit (who's range does not include either Norway,Finland or Sweden) has a succession of back to back litters usually consisting of 3 to 7 kits.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_rabbit

2. The European Hare (who, while not native to your area; has been introduced to the coastal regions of Finland) is generally pregnant with 3 or more kits at a time.https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_hare

3. The Mountain Hare (who is a native of Norway, Finland, and Sweden) while only producing 1 to 4 kits a litter also only produces 1 to 2 litters a year.https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Lepus_timidus/

Looking at the facts above is it really unreasonable to set the number of kits at 2 instead of one with different chances for other numbers. For example: once the doe is pregnant you now have a 100% chance of baby rabbits. That then breaks down into a 70% chance for 2, a 18% chance of 1, a 9% chance of 3, and a 3% chance of 4 (determined at conception).

Rabbit Types:

Having seen people mention(complain) that rabbits should at least give fur since they breed so slow; here is a suggestion. Two new types of rabbits only available by breeding the wild rabbits. To be determined at birth with the chances of success as such: 75% normal rabbit. 20% Angora rabbit, and 5% Dwarf rabbit.

1. The Dwarf Rabbit:

At birth the Dwarf rabbit remains the size of a baby rabbit and is white with brown spots. It has no gender and can be studied as a curiosity or kept in a small cage. Cage has a 2x2 or 3x3 area for "food" each slot can hold berries, nut, or some vegetables (not onions or leeks). Cage recipe can only be unlocked with discovery of the dwarf rabbit. Maybe something like 1 board, 2 block, 2 string and 5 sticks. Fits a 1x1 space. Does not produce any resources.

2. The Angora rabbit:

At birth the Angora rabbit is the size of a normal kit but is a light gray color. Gender it determined (50%/50%) upon maturity with the doe remaining a light gray and the buck a dark gray. At maturity it is slightly larger than a normal rabbit remaining 2 high but being 3 wide. A "rabbit comb" can be created when discovered. A stone comb (any stone) will give 1 angora fur a day. A metal comb (any nugget) will give 2 fur a day. 2 fur can be spun on a wheel for 1 string, 5 string can be spun for 1 yarn, and Angora yarn makes Gray cloth.
Edit: Almost forgot Breeding qualities and mechanics can function similarly to domestic sheep/cows/etc.

edited for spelling mistakes and a forgotten link

[loskierek]

+milion

[Mr_Bober]

+1
Rabbit breeding needs to become useful. Right now it's way too slow, and it gives no real benefit.

[Sevenless]

That seems like a lot more work than just cutting the gestation down or raising the quality gain per generation cap on them. If rabbits oustripped tamables for bone/hide quality eventually people would raise them.

[Lyllianna]

You are probably right; at least from a programming stand point. I don't pretend to know much about programming and this would probably be along the lines of a major change to implement in its totality. However I don't think it would be incredibly hard to switch the rng values to make 2 babies more prevalent than 1 baby. From an immersion and semi real stand point this makes more sense either completely or in part. Especially since; if you consider gestation times for rabbits and hares can be anywhere from 4 to 12 weeks depending on the breed, having a 1 week gestation that gives an average of 2 kits per litter is rather reasonable.

[ZantetsukenX]

I'm always up for more content and alternatives to reaching endgame so +1 from me.

[Imaru]

This is a fantastic idea, and importantly the description from the beginning to the end. I hope the developers will consider it and put it into the game, because it is diverse, it is interesting, and most importantly - very useful
+1111