Cheat Sheet: Understanding Recessive Chocolate Inheritance in Rabbits

For the purposes of understanding recessive Chocolate, I am assuming that all non-Chocolate rabbits are black. It is best to understand simple recessive genes before adding the pressures of other color modifiers such as Dilution. Such topics will be entertained at a future time.

CLIFF'S NOTES FOR RECESSIVE CHOCOLATE:

If you don't want to worry about Punnett squares or inheritance and just want to know what you will get through breeding, here is a basic rundown:
For these examples, "Chocolate" signifies a homozygous recessive-Chocolate rabbit; "Black" signifies a homozygous Black rabbit; "Black Carrying Chocolate" signifies a rabbit who is heterozygous for Black and Chocolate genes.

Chocolate + Chocolate = 100% Chocolate. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Chocolate + Black Carrying Chocolate = 50% Black Carrying Chocolate, 50% Chocolate.

Chocolate + Black = 100% Black Carrying Chocolate. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Black Carrying Chocolate + Black Carrying Chocolate = 50% Black Carrying Chocolate, 25% Black, 25% Chocolate.

Black Carrying Chocolate + Black = 50% Black Carrying Chocolate, 50% Black.

Black + Black = 100% Black. NO EXCEPTIONS.

Remember, Chocolate is recessive to Black!

Lastly, something to keep in mind is that the percentages listed above are for EACH KIT, not the litter as a whole unless the result is 100% foolproof. This means that each kit in a litter of, say, Chocolate to Black Carrying Chocolate mating, has a 50% chance of being Chocolate. As such actual litter percentages may vary!

If you have any further questions, please feel free to comment below!