Congratulations! You
have made it this far and are ready to embark on one of the most satisfying
parts of all! Remember those questions
you had to consider before getting this far?
What are your plans for your rabbit(s)?
If you are looking to add one or two rabbits to the family,
it is important to look at your options.
There are so many breeds and crossbreeds out there. If you want a small breed that only weighs a
few pounds, there are many to choose from.
If you love the humongous breeds, there are a few varieties you can explore. If you have a soft spot for fluffy rabbits,
there are many breeds in a variety of shapes and sizes to look into.
After picking out your breed, search for breeders who have
what you are looking for. Although there
are many beautiful bunnies sold in pet stores, I always recommend new owners to
try to find rabbits through rabbit breeders, even if it is only for a pet. Rabbits available from breeders are generally
in better health, are handled more often, and breeders will generally know more
about rabbits’ needs than an employee at a pet store. Once you locate someone, look at what they
have available. You want a rabbit that
handles well, is laid back in personality but lively (which generally indicates
a healthy bunny), and is not sick. Check
underneath the nostrils and inside the front feet. If it is wet, the rabbit may be sick. Sometimes when rabbits stress they get a
little wet underneath the nose and wipe their faces, so it may be fine, but if
you see any white discharge, stay clear.
Color should be one of the last priorities you consider. Usually if you love the rabbit you will learn
to love its color regardless.
If you want to breed for show, meat, or fiber, start out
with brood or show stock. Brood quality
stock are rabbits that have some fault that makes it impossible for them to be
shown. This may be a torn ear, too much
coloring on their body (as in the case of broken patterning), or perhaps a
proven doe who has had quite a few litters and can’t be competitive enough in
shows. I would recommend staying away
from rabbits with miscolored toenails if possible, as it may take a while to
breed out. Show rabbits should meet the
breed’s standard per the standard of perfection. When you breed, one of your goals should be
to work on making kits that excel in body and fur quality, and are nicer than
their parents. Meat rabbits should make
fast gains and dress out well. Fiber
rabbits should have excellent density, color, and texture to their coats. Even if you were not planning on becoming a
member of the American Rabbit Breeders Association ARBA, research the breed you
will be investing your time in. Read and
memorize the breed’s standard so that you do not have to second guess yourself
when you are getting your stock.
Stay in touch with the breeders you purchase from. Anybody who sells a rabbit should have the
rabbits and your best interest in mind and should be more than happy to help
you out on your new adventures. If the
customer is only concerned about making the sale, you may want to look elsewhere,
as this often reflects the quality of their rabbits. A breeder who truly loves working with their
breeds will have superior rabbits to those who use it as a money making
opportunity.
Once you have gotten your breeding stock and they have
settled down and adapted to their new environment, you can begin breeding
plans. When you breed will have to do
with the age of your stock and environmental factors, which I will cover in
more depth in the next post.
