Outlet for Excess Stock
One of the hardest things about raising rabbits is culling and deciding what to let go of. And sometimes that can mean an entire line. It may be one you've poured your soul into or one you are just starting out with. Either way it isn't easy and culling early and hard is essential. We do at least 3 culls here.
The 1st, and usually easiest, entails finding the faults and structural issues we don't want to stay in the herd and get those out. We do this one by about 8 to 10 weeks.
The 2nd usually entails separating the brood stock from the show stock. This is by far the hardest one for me because I second guess every decision. This one can last into the 6 month mark.
The 3rd, and any subsequent culls, are my most "intimate". These include animals I would normally keep but space constraints means I have to move them on. I can only keep a) the best show animals and b) the best producing animals. This may mean letting go of a line that isn't producing the way I want it to. This one is, by far, the most heartbreaking. I deal with it by having that professional detachment while making my choices and breaking down afterwards. It is the ONLY way I will improve and I don't see the point in running my program any differently than what works for me. This one can happen at any time and usually happens after having shown a while and/or breeding.
Now please understand, I handle my grow outs DAILY. Sometimes twice a day. I see the changes that happen. The ugly stages, the time it takes for them to fully bloom, which ones sit pretty and which are a pain to pose.
All these factors contribute to what stays and what goes because, at the end of the day, if an animal can't show itself off at a show, it doesn't win. Yes, you get the patient judges on occasion that will work to pose them, but not always. Those not so patient judges are valuable too because you learn quickly which rabbits will respond to different hands handling them.
My advice for new breeders is:
• Have an outlet for offspring.
• Do not sell every animal you produce. Some are just not meant to be passed on to become someone else's problem.
• Cull/remove from your program appropriately
• Get the ARBA Standard of perfection and become familiar with your breed.
• Join the national breed club. It is often a great way to meet other breeders with your same passion.
• NETWORK! I can't stress this enough. Don't worry about thinking you are too weird, too loud or too anything because, chances are, you will find a kindred spirit.
• Have goals. Re evaluate them often.
• This is a touchy one - FORGET ABOUT A VARIETY to focus on in the beginning. Buy the best you can afford!!! I am saying this from experience. Once you become familiar with the breed, then yes, by all means choose a variety to improve upon.
• Ask questions and ALWAYS be open to learning. I am always grateful when a fellow breeder wants to talk shop and go through animals. It is my favorite thing to do. I always learn something.
• Lastly, have FUN! Yeah we get competitive but it should always be the kind of competitive that is friendly and builds relationships for the betterment of the breed. How much better can a breed get if we can't work together?
I hope I haven't bored you all thus far. I appreciate you reading this and making it to the end of this post. Happy breeding and showing. GO HIMMIES!!
The 1st, and usually easiest, entails finding the faults and structural issues we don't want to stay in the herd and get those out. We do this one by about 8 to 10 weeks.
The 2nd usually entails separating the brood stock from the show stock. This is by far the hardest one for me because I second guess every decision. This one can last into the 6 month mark.
The 3rd, and any subsequent culls, are my most "intimate". These include animals I would normally keep but space constraints means I have to move them on. I can only keep a) the best show animals and b) the best producing animals. This may mean letting go of a line that isn't producing the way I want it to. This one is, by far, the most heartbreaking. I deal with it by having that professional detachment while making my choices and breaking down afterwards. It is the ONLY way I will improve and I don't see the point in running my program any differently than what works for me. This one can happen at any time and usually happens after having shown a while and/or breeding.
Now please understand, I handle my grow outs DAILY. Sometimes twice a day. I see the changes that happen. The ugly stages, the time it takes for them to fully bloom, which ones sit pretty and which are a pain to pose.
All these factors contribute to what stays and what goes because, at the end of the day, if an animal can't show itself off at a show, it doesn't win. Yes, you get the patient judges on occasion that will work to pose them, but not always. Those not so patient judges are valuable too because you learn quickly which rabbits will respond to different hands handling them.
My advice for new breeders is:
• Have an outlet for offspring.
• Do not sell every animal you produce. Some are just not meant to be passed on to become someone else's problem.
• Cull/remove from your program appropriately
• Get the ARBA Standard of perfection and become familiar with your breed.
• Join the national breed club. It is often a great way to meet other breeders with your same passion.
• NETWORK! I can't stress this enough. Don't worry about thinking you are too weird, too loud or too anything because, chances are, you will find a kindred spirit.
• Have goals. Re evaluate them often.
• This is a touchy one - FORGET ABOUT A VARIETY to focus on in the beginning. Buy the best you can afford!!! I am saying this from experience. Once you become familiar with the breed, then yes, by all means choose a variety to improve upon.
• Ask questions and ALWAYS be open to learning. I am always grateful when a fellow breeder wants to talk shop and go through animals. It is my favorite thing to do. I always learn something.
• Lastly, have FUN! Yeah we get competitive but it should always be the kind of competitive that is friendly and builds relationships for the betterment of the breed. How much better can a breed get if we can't work together?
I hope I haven't bored you all thus far. I appreciate you reading this and making it to the end of this post. Happy breeding and showing. GO HIMMIES!!