Confirmation

[chantelnicole]

So I don't have any bunnies yet because I want to learn as much as I can about them before I dive in.

I want to raise Mini Lops and Netherland Dwarfs. So here is my question.

I need to know the difference between good confirmation and bad. That way when I go to buy some I know what to look for. I would hate to breed anything not breed worthy.

Also are there moredesirable colors than others? Or colors that have faults?

thanks so much!

 

[Flashy]

I don't know much about either of those things, I do know that desirable colours can depend on yoru area though.

Peg (Tinysmom) posted this on another thread.

'I also want to point out that you have mentioned breeding another older doe and even though some of us tried to explain why it isn't good...it seemed (to me) - like you were determined to do it anyway. I would encourage you to not only visit this board and ask questions - but find a way to network with local ADULT breeders in your area and see if maybe some of them would sort of "mentor" you and take you under their wing and teach you some things. There is nothing like having a breeder take an animal and explain to you why it is showable or why they feel it would be worth breeding that particular doe or buck. Many breeders will sell "proven" does (that have had litters) - and sometimes even breed them for you with a buck they think would make a good match. They can explain about why they would pick that particular pair to breed together and the strengths and weaknesses of each animal. I think this would help your litters to do better as far as selling them after they are weaned because you would know more about the rabbits. I know I take a lot of time to study each of my animals before I breed them and think through WHY I am breeding them before I do so...for instance...does the buck have something that might help compensate for a doe's fault (or vice versa). Having a breeder handy to help you learn those things will make you a better breeder.'

I think this is a GEM of information, that could really help you

 

[chantelnicole]

Thanks. I really wish there were breeders around my area.There are some within a traveling distance, but I don't know much about them to determine if they breed quality rabbits.

I'm from the horse industry and know there are good breeders that breed for "bettering" the breed vs. backyard breeders. (knowing nothing about confimation or traits and breeding just to breed).

Do you know if there are siminars on rabbits? That might be something that I could do.

 

[BlueGiants]

There area fewthings you shoud do...

Attend a local show and see if you can find someone who breeds/shows what you are interested in. Let them tell you and show you what is good and what is undesirable. Listen to the judges.

Order the ARBA (American Rabbit Breeders Assoc.) Standards book (www.ARBA.net). It's about $15.00 and well worth it, if you intend to show (and breed).

Make sure you talk to other breeders and get an idea of what to expect. See other setups, how they keep their rabbits. Interview vets in your area to see who will see/treat rabbits in case you need help.

Maybe you should pick one breed to start with (before working with two! It really is twice as much work.) And you should be breeding to improve the lines... so you need to learn a lot about each breed before you start.

 

[TinysMom]

Hi! Welcome to this forum.

First of all - you've picked two hard breeds to work with (according to what I've been told). Lops (well - Holland lops more than mini lops) can have problems with stuck kits due to the size/shape of their heads. Netherland Dwarfs are so small you can have problems with stuck kits too.

That doesn't mean I'm saying "don't do it"....Just I want you to know the odds going into it. I have done a bit of Holland lop breeding and I was fortunate in the fact that my doe didn't have any problems - but I deliberately picked a smaller doe.

The first thing I'd do is to read about and possibly join the National clubs for those breeds.

http://minilop.org/lopportal/index.php - The MiniLop Club

http://www.andrc.com/ - The American Netherland Dwarf club

You will probably also want to buy a copy of the Standard of Perfection published by ARBA which has all of the breed standards in it (for recognized breeds).

You can find it at: http://www.arba.net/pubs.htm

If I were you - I would try to attend some shows and watch which breeders are winning and then try to buy from them (they must be doing SOMETHING right). I'd try to get a trio...one buck and two does and if it was me - with Nethies at least - I'd want to get PROVEN does that have already had a litter since I'd have less risk of stuck kits.

I commend you for researching this before you get into it. Rabbit breeding can be fun - - but also heartbreaking. We just bred for 6 litters last month - 3 does actually "took" - and of the three litters that were born we had a total of 10 babies....5 alive and 5 DOA. I've been told that is pretty average for statistics...

Peg

P.S. I breed lionheads which usually have easier deliveries than Netherland Dwarfs....

 

[chantelnicole]

Peg and BlueGiants,

Thanks so much for the info.. I think I will attend a rabbit show.

I think you are right in talking to a breeder from there.

And thanks for the links as well

 

[gentle giants]

One other thing I would do is this. Join the state and national clubs for the breed/s you have chosen, also the ARBA. The ARBA will send you a yearbook every year, and the magazine Domestic Rabbit. Look at the lists of breeders who have champions, for the breeds you have chosen of course. You can also look up those people's websites, assuming they have one, and find out how long they have been breeding.

The only problem with jsut going to a show and talking to breeders is that when you are new, you don't know how accurate the info they give you is.Basically what I am saying is, really research your breeders along with your breed. When you go to buy your breeding stock, you will be glad you did.