Outdoor rabbit moved inside because of weather

[LakeCondo]

Yes, different areas have different resources. And of course rabbits have to be bred or there soon would be no more.

But let me make a couple of suggestions of projects that don't involve breeding, though could be done as well as breeding:
1) Find rabbit rescue places on petfinder.com & adoptapet.com nearest to you. Visit some & develop a program of volunteers to help out there.
2) Foster some rabbits from a shelter.
3) Learn about rabbit agility meets, create some hurdles, & try to train a rabbit to them.

 

[funnybunnymummy]

If you're going to breed, please go to a rabbit show, meet other people in the show business and buy the best buck and 2 or 3 does your money can buy. Choose rabbits that not only have great conformation and colouring, but have good personalities too. IMVHO, rabbits pass on those peronality traits to their offspring. If you have a rabbit (like Oliver/Chester), who doesn't seem like a people rabbit (despite your best efforts to handle him), your babies will not likely be people rabbits either. Study up on genetics as well and learn about what issues each breed has and what to look out for (tooth maloccusion, joint issues, etc. etc.). And pick a breed that you know will be easy to home (though lops are always popular! ) You'll need to do at least two breedings per year (at the same time) in case you need a foster mom for one litter.

Read up in the rabbitry and you'll learn lots.

Incidentally, if your daughter thinks she'll make money breeding rabbits, she may be in for a surprise. I don't know anyone who actually makes money at it. Few even earn enough from sales to support their "habit."

I don't mean to discourage you from breeding, if that's what you really want to do, just to discourage you from becoming a "backyard breeder." Breed to better the breed.

Otherwise, as LakeCondo said, could you consider other alternatives to breeding?

JMVHO

Hope that helps!

Rue

 

[Jacki-Small-Pet-Select]

Hi doodlebugger.

Completely understand your point of view on breeding - but also agree with LakeCondo on her (his?) points as well. I certainly didn't mean to infer that you cared any less for your rabbits because you are considering breeding.

As you both say, you can't say all rescue rabbits are disturbed, and you can't say that all breeders are irresponsible - nothing is further from the truth.

Having adopted many different animals with 'issues' over the years - from rabbits to dogs to cats to horses - I know how time consuming (and sometimes heart breaking) it can be to try to create a happy and balanced animal from one who's been mistreated by humans in one way or another.

It does seem that there are more difficulties adopting a rescued rabbit in rural areas - simply, I suppose, because of the distances involved and the reasons you mention. And I do get where you're coming from about irresponsible pet owners, I couldn't agree more. As well as novice owners trying to rehabilitate a rescue bunny with issues

Funnybunnymummy makes a good point about genetics above, as well as the confirmation and colouring issues too.

Glad to hear that Chester/Oliver is slowly coming round - that's great news.

Cheers,
Jacki - Small Pet Select