Breeder/Buyer question...

[Shayhara]

I kind of agree with ZRabbits, I don't sell before 8 weeks anymore, but I still often wean before six weeks. Why?? because mom is done with them, she doesn't want anything more to do with them, won't let them nurse, and is all around irritated by them. I go by the way the doe and the babies are acting. My mini rex usually keeps hers until at least 8 weeks, often 12, because she seems to enjoy having them with her. She also usually has 4 babies, while My mini lops have 8 - 10. That's a lot of bunnies in one cage at six weeks old, so I will then separate out the biggest and leave them together in a separate cage.
Back to the main topic though, I think they should of refunded your money or given you pick of another litter, they chose not to and instead made the deal with you about not taking one from this litter. So they need to stand by that deal, no matter how much time has gone by.

Just my two cents worth, and I doubt its even worth 2 cents! lol

 

[wendymac]

You can wean them at 6 weeks, but you can't sell them for until they're 8 weeks old. The stress of weaning is hard enough...imagine weaning AND re-homing in the same day. At least when you wean them from the mother, they still have their siblings.

 

[CCWelch]

I wean from 6 to 8 weeks depending on the litter (like Shayhara) but I ALWAYS keep them under observation for that first week away from mom, if it is going to go wrong it will either be then or once it gets to the new home because of the moving stress and possible change of feed with out mixing.
I also do not let a baby leave my place if it seems even the slightest bit unhealthy,

 

[ZRabbits]

I would never wean and sell a baby the same day. Now that's foolish to think that would even work. I understand completely everyone's definition of when to sell a bunny, and if I was looking for a bunny and the breeder said "No, 10 weeks", I'd be there in 10 weeks. If they say "6 weeks", I'm there in 6. That's the way it is. The breeder knows her stock. Completely makes sure that everything is ready before the kit leaves. It's her reputation at stake. If they are a real breeder. This is what makes the lines of rabbitry stand out.

Concern and interest in where that bunny is going. And who is going to own it. That's also a MAJOR key. Selling a young bunny to someone who never had a bunny is also a red zone.

Lots of variables here. But the one thing that should stand out is the bunny's welfare. That's what I see. This business, hobby, whatever you want to call it, has it's responsibilities on BOTH parties, not just the new pet parent. And the new pet parent needs to be drilled too. I was. After all who has most experience, the breeder. The breeder knows what can happen, when it can happen, and the results.

That's all I'm trying to say. They are your bunnies. YOU decide how and when you will sell a kit. And it's your responsibility to interview any potential buyer to make sure they know (no matter how old your bunny is) what it is to raise and care for a bunny.

The prime objective is a permanent bunny home. PERIOD. And we all strive to obtain that for our bunnies. No laws can make someone do this. That's all I've been trying to say. It's a responsibility. And all bunnies are individuals. No laws can box them into one catagory.

K

 

[wendymac]

Funny you should mention new owners, K. I had someone contact me about buying one of my French babies. Her first question wasn't about the actual rabbit, but whether I had a buck that she could breed her with. I questioned her a little more, and she's only ever had a pet when she was a young kid. And now they're raising Pit Bulls. I did some more checking (she's local) and they do nothing but keep that female pit pregnant, as a money-maker. Well, I'd rather my animals went to show people or as pets...not as nothing but a baby machine. So I told her I doubted I'd have any does left from this litter (have 3 sold, and there may not be any does in this litter anyway).

I won't let any leave until they're 8 weeks old and all doing well. I even told the people that already want to buy them that I would prefer they stayed for 9. That way I can be 100% sure they're doing well on their own, before the stress of moving.

I didn't enter into the rabbit hobby with the intentions of mass producing rabbits. I want to show, and I want my rabbits to be the best show rabbits I can produce. And I am not selling them to just anyone. And they're all leaving with the owner knowing that, if they no longer want the rabbit (for any reason), I'll take it back (for free..not buying them all back. lol) and find it another home. Or it can live here. Thankfully I have tons of room. LOL

 

[CCWelch]

wendymac wrote:

I didn't enter into the rabbit hobby with the intentions of mass producing rabbits. I want to show, and I want my rabbits to be the best show rabbits I can produce. And I am not selling them to just anyone. And they're all leaving with the owner knowing that, if they no longer want the rabbit (for any reason), I'll take it back (for free..not buying them all back. lol) and find it another home. Or it can live here. Thankfully I have tons of room. LOL

I am totally with you on that...my exception to that rule is my New Zealands, they seem to be happiest when they have babies, so I keep them breeding but, they do get time off between litters.

I still cannot believe the first question was whether or not you would have buck they could breed her to, next time that happens tell them yes but there is a $100 stud fee plus pick of the litter.

 

[wendymac]

Get this! I just saw that woman (who wanted to buy a doe, plus a buck, to breed) post puppies for sale. Not only are they breeding their Pitbulls non-stop, but now they're breeding shitzu/poodle crosses...and charging $350 each. They're definitely not getting one of my rabbits!

 

[MiniLopHop]

People like that make me so angry! :X

They give all breeders a bad reputation and THEY are the reson for the pet over population. Honestly I didn't think there was such a thing as ethical breeding until I came here and saw how much all the folks here love each and every baby bunny.

Backyard breeders suck :banghead

 

[wendymac]

Me, too! Granted, most of my dogs have always been mutts, but I sure as hell didn't breed to get them. And the high price tag, and the idiots that rush to buy them, just astounds me. I hate when people breed something just because it has a vagina or a penis.

 

[ZRabbits]

wendymac wrote:

Me, too! Granted, most of my dogs have always been mutts, but I sure as hell didn't breed to get them. And the high price tag, and the idiots that rush to buy them, just astounds me. I hate when people breed something just because it has a vagina or a penis.

So true. And then I feel bad for the "outcome" of someone who only worries about a vagina and a penis.

Like others have posted, I am not here to make money off my bunnies. I am here for the future and making sure my "outcome" is in a positive catagory.

And for me, the best dog we've had was a rescue. Granted my Kuvacz was my first baby and I did pay a good price for this Rare purebred. Was worth every penny. But after rescuing, I probably will rescue again. Jake is just awesome. And I should say didn't rescue, adopted. As he adopted us.

K

 

[wendymac]

I hear you there. It's seen so often in horses, which are already in a precarious state (with the closing of the equine slaughter plants 5 years ago).

Piper is the only dog I've ever purchased. While I love her to death, she's no "better" than my freebie dogs were.