Blue of Ham
The Blue of Ham, or Bleu de Ham, is a Belgian blue rabbit associated with Ham-sur-Heure and nearby Walloon breeding districts. It is a distinct domestic rabbit breed rather than a catch-all name for any blue animal. Compared with the large Blue Beveren, the Blue of Ham is generally described as lighter and more compact, with an even blue-grey coat, short dense fur, and a practical small-farm body. Its history sits with the local Belgian rabbit fancy, where many regional breeds were selected for useful pelts, modest meat production, and a standard colour that could be shown.
Today the breed is uncommon outside specialist circles, so buyers may need to search through heritage breeders or national club contacts rather than ordinary pet listings. Selection centers on a clear blue shade without excessive white hairs, rusting, or patchiness, but type and vigor matter just as much. Housing, diet, and handling follow normal domestic rabbit practice: dry secure quarters, hay-based feeding, protection from heat, and calm handling from a young age. For conservation herds, crossing with other blue rabbits may fix colour in the short term but can erase the local breed identity.
