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| Breeding for Show | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: Jul 20 2013, 08:11 AM (252 Views) | |
| ZRabbits | Jul 20 2013, 08:11 AM Post #1 |
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Love My Lions!
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I've been making note of, not just what I need to show, but how I will manage my "show" breeding program. Lots of things, I feel I need to set down and stick to to make it a successful hobby adventure. I plan only to breed for show, so there will only be a couple of litters each year. Not breeding to "win", so if I have a winner in the lot, fine, but breeding for health and excellent conformation. Color is only 10 points, and my hopes as I learn this hobby that experienced breeders will see the health and excellent conformation in my "show" rabbits and use "lack of color" to their advantage because they know how to mix to get what they desire. IMHO, any hobby takes time to really learn. And having a hobby with live animals really needs to be entered slowly. That's why I love seeing the Youth Groups in all the Breeds. That's how someone really gets a leg up in learning. Not just about color, but about animal husbandry. About respect and life. I plan on taking my time with selecting my Show Breeders. I plan on starting with 1 Buck and 2 Does. That's it. With the qualities I am looking for. Will I pay a higher price? Absolutely. It is worth it and a breeder who breeds that quality SHOULD be paid for their work and effort. As experienced breeders, what questions do you ask the breeder when you purchase? I truly appreciate any input. |
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| ZRabbits | Jul 20 2013, 11:33 AM Post #2 |
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Love My Lions!
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Important Questions I think Should Be Asked: Proven Does: How many successful litters, from kindling to weaning? Average size litters? Peanuts? Color background? Illnesses? ie: nest eye, poor immune system, jaw problems Proven Bucks: How many successful litters did he sire? Peanuts? Color background? Illnesses? same as doe because buck does pass traits Also "show" background, ie: legs? Also how do the breeder's rabbits adapt to stress, whether buck or doe? Does stress have affect on their does and buck regarding breeding? Just jotting things down. Any opinions, experiences or suggestions are truly appreciated. |
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| sidd-says-gimme | Jul 20 2013, 01:00 PM Post #3 |
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sidd says stay gold
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Hmm... I find most people (that I have asked, at least) get offended when I mention health. I skip that now. I haven't purchased a rabbit that I haven't seen in person first in a long time now (I go to shows and check there). I do a thorough health check there and that's really all I can do. I only buy from one or two breeders, really. If the rabbit is a junior, I ask if who the parents are. I usually ask if the parents or siblings are at the show. If so, I look at them. I ask to look at the pedigree to check lines and color background. If the rabbit is a senior, I ask if they are proven and if they have that rabbit's babies at the show. How do they look? Has the parent or babies been shown? That's about all. |
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| ZRabbits | Jul 20 2013, 01:14 PM Post #4 |
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Love My Lions!
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Thanks for the reply. Hmmm, sorry to hear about people getting offended when you mention health. Don't want to offend anyone, but I would THINK it would a credible question to ask? If someone asked me, I'd be completely honest on what has occurred health wise. Maybe it's just me. I guess I would get to know breeders who show, by volunteering in my Club, or at shows, to let others know I'm not going to "bad mouth" or "point a finger", but just want to make Healthy rabbits. To SOP. As close as anyone can possibly can. I believe there are NO perfect rabbits. Definitely would be "hands on" purchase this time. Pictures are nice, but can be a bit distorted. Color especially. And definitely would be with a breeder who is involved with club and showing. |
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| ZRabbits | Jul 21 2013, 06:19 AM Post #5 |
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Love My Lions!
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Showing the reply to my Husband, My husband brought up the fact that all our pet rabbits, when we purchased, the breeders showed us everything. All three of them were so proud of their lines that they couldn't wait to show us their program and breeding history. Now I'm a bit confused that it would offend anyone if questions on health and history come up? I would think this would be a buying point for any rabbit. Pet, show or meat. Knowing the health and history. Isn't that what we are all trying to accomplish? A Healthy Line? |
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| sidd-says-gimme | Jul 21 2013, 08:24 AM Post #6 |
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sidd says stay gold
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I'm not sure. I only asked a few times and they seemed to be put off by it. Maybe they thought I was just trying to be rude. I trust the people that I buy from now, I don't think they would have an unhealthy animal in their breeding program. A lot of breeders won't show you around their rabbitry anymore because of the risk of ARAs. Personally, I don't. I used to meet people somewhere in town, now I get them to come to my house but usually just talk to them on the step/driveway. Unless I know the person, they aren't coming into my rabbitry. |
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| ZRabbits | Jul 21 2013, 09:04 AM Post #7 |
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Love My Lions!
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You really have to show you are sincere when purchasing show rabbits. I understand their fears and I respect that, but I would never step over boundaries that I was told not to. I'm a visitor and an interested party. And regarding ARA, I think all parties played a part in this misinformation. You can't judge an entire group on one issue. That's like beating your head against the wall. Now rabbitries are closed because someone will snitch? Or start a rumor? And it's not all ARA people either. I've seen a case of breeder vs breeder right her and on another rabbit forum. It's just a shame that we have to inject "politics" into a hobby. Just think about it. How ridiculous and a waste of time and energy. I'm not saying there isn't a "dark side" to rabbitry out there, but we all must strive to stay in the "LIGHT" rather than the dark. Or as Dumbledore stated in Harry Potter. It is time that we must make the decision of whether to do what is right, or what is EASY. |
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| sidd-says-gimme | Jul 21 2013, 09:47 AM Post #8 |
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sidd says stay gold
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In my rush to type things out, I usually just write things as simply as possible. Sorry for any misunderstandings that may cause... of course anyone can be a risk. It's also personal preference... I don't want strangers in my house (rabbits are in my basement). If I had them in a barn or shed, I wouldn't want to show strangers where my rabbits are kept. What if they are driving by someday while we aren't around and they decided to show themselves in and take a few rabbits? You can't trust people these days. Even if that's not an issue, I don't like strangers going around my rabbits because I often have young litters/pregnant does and I don't want them disturbing my new moms. Sometimes they bring children and I can't talk to the parent and make sure that the child doesn't open cages at the same time. So for me, it's for both the protection of the rabbits and of myself. |
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| ZRabbits | Jul 21 2013, 10:02 AM Post #9 |
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Love My Lions!
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Thanks for the clarification. I know what you mean by "people can't be trusted" now a days. It seems respect for others personal items, personal "self" or even animals is not taught. Actually if it's made to look like a "cause," those who break that respect, are revered as the "victim" if a person fights back. Would you though, if knowing the person, there are no kids around, show a potential breeder your line? I don't care how I'm shown, and respect anyone's "barn or property" rules. I still would like to see the lines, as this is a hobby which I will be investing money and time with LIVE animals. And I would let the breeder know what I'm striving for and looking for. And if they can't offer it, fine. Maybe they know someone who has what I'm looking for. I always thought that was what this was all about. Helping each other to better the line of the breed. Oh well, maybe I'm just too naive. |
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| sidd-says-gimme | Jul 21 2013, 10:26 AM Post #10 |
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sidd says stay gold
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I almost exclusively sell my rabbits as pets. Not a lot of breeders in my area. When I do sell one to a breeder, they usually want to meet somewhere anyway. In that case, if I have any relatives to that rabbit I'll usually bring them along. |
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| ZRabbits | Jul 21 2013, 10:44 AM Post #11 |
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Love My Lions!
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Oh my mistake, thought you were breeding for "show". With the show pics you stated you had and the "critique" of your bun, I just assumed. The breeder I purchased my first two rabbits has got a "visitor" area for her customers to comes see her rabbits for sale. She has a VERY handy husband. Her breeding stock is behind a fence and also going through changes. Really nice set up. Regarding my "show" rabbit purchase, it seems the best course is to meet breeders AT the show, talk and discuss rabbits (so they can feel you out) then go from there? |
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| sidd-says-gimme | Jul 21 2013, 03:03 PM Post #12 |
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sidd says stay gold
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I breed for show. I sell the extra as pets.....
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| NeuBunny | Jul 22 2013, 03:08 PM Post #13 |
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Genetics Geek!
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I mostly sell at shows too. I've tried putting up flyers at the local feed stores, etc but haven't had many calls (and no sales) from that. Open forums like that I usually price relatively high after the first few calls I got from folks looking for meat or snake food. I'm careful with color, disqualifications etc, so have only had a handful of 'DQ' animals to sell -- those we've brought to 'swap meets' sponsored by local 4H clubs (there's a small fee to sell there, but it goes to a good cause and buyers are usually folks with kids looking for a pet). I think the issue with asking about health is that folks are a bit quick to think you are 'accusing' them of selling animals that aren't perfectly healthy. Lead with why you want to know rather than a bald question -- e.g., It's really important to me to work only with animals that don't throw any genetic health or immune problems. I can see this animal is very healthy, but have you had any issues with any of her previous offspring? Most breeders are very willing to share info if you are tactful. And most won't mislead you if there have been issues. Very hard when you are starting out, but as you get into the show world, you can learn pretty quickly which breeders have good reputations (not just for 'winning' but for mentoring newbies, honesty, rabbit care and health). Buy from them. ... lol, but I will plead guilty that most of our rabbits were bought because one of my kids came running with 'mom, you've got to come see this bunny - it's PERFECT'. (or beautiful, sweet, etc). Glad we are finally at the point my kids would rather breed their own babies than buy those 'perfect' ones. |
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| ZRabbits | Jul 22 2013, 10:27 PM Post #14 |
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Love My Lions!
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Thanks Neubunny. Truly appreciate the info and suggestion on how to ask a very "sensitive" question. With all the craziness out there, I can truly understand. Accusations that are unfounded, seem to go further than the truth sometimes. I would never accuse, but also I think I need to show breeders that I am dedicated to their hobby as well. Will look for those breeders that like to "help" newbies like myself. As one day, I'm hoping I can do the same. I would like to stick with selling at shows. Your "swap meets" sponsored by the local 4H clubs sounds really interesting. The one in our County was shut down, due to politics. Truly a shame, even to a point they (county politicians) sold the land. The next County is where the Rabbit Show is, so I will see if the 4H is active in that County. Introduce the Lion heads properly to 4H, hey why not? |
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