Considering starting my own Rabbitry

[CoolWaterRabbitry]

I'm considering it, very very slowly I might add. I'm going to start getting both of my havana boys ready to start entering a few shows and see more on how the business works. I've purchased the standard of perfection book to read up on what I need to look at for showing/breeding purposes.

I'm going to a Havana breeder's home tomorrow to get advice and see their breeding stock and how they work.

I know that if I do breed, it will most likely be havanas (though it will be months from now) since the other breed would be a Satin, but I'm bonded with my little Bella and would not want to lose her with a problem breeding. Plus, I would look into becoming a ARBA member and theHavana Rabbit Breeders Association as well.

So any advice on anything in the show/breeding world?

 

[pamnock]

I think you're off to an excellent start! It's especially helpful to hook up with someone to mentor you and help you out.

 

[OakRidgeRabbits]

I agree with Pam, you're doing all the right things!

My main suggestion would be to have your mentor help you pick out your first breeding pair/trio. Buy the best stock you can afford to begin with and you'll be better off in the long run!

 

[BlueGiants]

Best of luck with your new start! Sounds like you are going into this "with both eyes open". As Pam said, having a good mentor is priceless... someone to ask questions to, compare notes, get help and advice...

And as Julie said, get the best that you can afford to start out. But don't dismiss a good brood doe because she is past her show prime... Ask about good maternal skills in the lines, average litter sizes, survival rates, temperments, etc. Find out how that breeder arranges their breedings... cage or table breeding? Ask about recommended diet and cages. It helps to build on the successes of others. No sense repeating mistakes someone else has learned from...

Good luck and enjoy the rabbits! :bunnydance:

 

[CoolWaterRabbitry]

Well, here's how my day was. The breeder I went to is registered with the arba and the havanarba and has several lovely does and bucks many that have won legs and have grand champ bloodlines.

He first showed me all he had including the new litters, and then had me practice sexing some of the 8 week olds as I am (well was) not too great at knowing what to look for :biggrin2: ). He explained about the broken havanas and solids and a lot of other information including how some bucks (and does) can be very tempermental during breeding and just as hormones kick in as they get older. His stock though, are allbuilt nicely and have wonderful temperments.

He walked me through how to read a pedigree and the names of other breeders in the area that have helped him and have been helpful to others along the breeding/showing line.

Finally I was interested in getting one of the 8 week old females (so I have my young bucks and her around the same age, plus have time to show and later on breed). He let me look at the 8 week old soild chocolates and had a few broken chocolates. Igot tolook at the mom's conformation and the buck's conformation to seehow thebabies would growup.

Finally after picking one out, he gave me her pedigree (which has lovely lines of chocolate and many leg winning and champ lines).

The little girl is a solid chocolate and has a nice strudy bone struture and wonderful temperment.

We will be pickingher up tomorrow and I'm really excited. I don't think anything will go wrong with her, but if I should have any problems he told us to give him a call and he'll help us pick out a new rabbit that meets our needsand willwork things out with us.

--He also has an older doe (about a year and a half) that has produced, that we are looking into.

It was wonderful! :biggrin2:

 

[BlueGiants]

What a GREAT day! Good for you to find someone knowledgable, patient and willing to share his experience. Best of luck with your new babies! :bunnydance::bunnydance:

(Of course, it would be lovely if we can see photo's of your "foundation" stock! )

 

[CoolWaterRabbitry]

BlueGiants wrote:

(Of course, it would be lovely if we can see photo's of your "foundation" stock! )

The 'start' of itwill definitely be up by tomorrow! :biggrin2:

 

[Blaze_Amita]

THat's great!!! I always wish I could take back how i began and start all over again with my hollands and mini rex, but then again, I learned from those mistakes when I first got Amita(my 1st dutch) and COlby (Second dutch) and my dutch are great typed and for the most part they all have awesome temperments(Some how Mimzy used to be one of the sweetest now she's not so friendly)

That's soo great that you have that to rely on and someone to work with you.