Selecting a doe from my current litter

[Sabine]

I am planning to keep one of my REW does for further breeding and may even show her if she shapes up nicely. I just can't decide which of the two to keep.
Doe 1 (Jiggly Pop) is the smallest of the litter. She is the most active and appears shorter in body than her siblings.
Doe 2 (Belle) is a small bit longer and her eyes are not perfectly round but a bit more almond shaped probably not ideal for nethies??) She is a bit calmer and more affectionate.
Although I would like to show her if I get the chance to go this year but she would be mainly a breeding doe. That's why I initially opted for Belle.
Now I am thinking as size is a bit of an issue with my bucks (1200gr) should I pick the smaller doe to breed the size down or would that be foolish or even dangerous?
Any advice would be great

 

[massie777]

Do you have any pictures of the babies?

 

[Sabine]

I posted the pictures in this thread. I haven't been able to take better pictures since
http://www.rabbitsonline.net/view_topic.php?id=57814&forum_id=8

 

[OakRidgeRabbits]

Are you able to keep them long enough to take them to a show and get the judge's and a few other breeder's opinions? That is the best way to learn what to look for, hands-on, if you can keep them long enough.

 

[SilverBirchRabbitry]

I would definitley keep doe 1, but it's your decision.

 

[Sabine]

OakRidgeRabbits wrote:

Are you able to keep them long enough to take them to a show and get the judge's and a few other breeder's opinions? That is the best way to learn what to look for, hands-on, if you can keep them long enough.

It may not be possible as the closest show would involve 6-8 hours traveling or I have to travel to England.(at least 12 hours)
I was planning to sell one as otherwise I would have to vaccinate and that would cost 50 euro per rabbit

 

[mewlingcricket]

Wow they are both so beautiful it is hard to pick, but if I could only chose one, I would have to go with Jiggly Pop, she just looks like she has some spunk! Good luck.

 

[OakRidgeRabbits]

Sabine wrote:

OakRidgeRabbits wrote:

Are you able to keep them long enough to take them to a show and get the judge's and a few other breeder's opinions? That is the best way to learn what to look for, hands-on, if you can keep them long enough.

It may not be possible as the closest show would involve 6-8 hours traveling or I have to travel to England.(at least 12 hours)
I was planning to sell one as otherwise I would have to vaccinate and that would cost 50 euro per rabbit

Oh, I'm sorry- I didn't realize you weren't in the U.S.! I know shows aren't quite as accesible for those of you in other places. That's ok!

The best time to evaluate a small breed type-wise is about 5-6 weeks before they enter "uglies". At this time, you can get an idea of what they'll look like as adults. Then generally at about 4 months is the next best time, for my lines anyway.

As long as they are not in the 8-14 week range, they should be okay to evaluate as that time is the general "ugly" range, where they are in a big growing spurt and proportions just aren't quite there.

Would you be able to post some posed pictures, and also tell us what body parts you're looking to improve in your overall herd? This will help us help you to choose who is the best "keeper"!

 

[Sabine]

I'll definitely will do a photo shot with them at the weekend.
My "herd" at the moment only consists of two does and a buck. Both bucks have really nice colouring (siamese smoke) but unfortunately are on the larger side.
My girls are rather nice as regards size and heads but both their colouring is a bit dark (one is a dark siamese smoke and the other a dark siamese sable)
So apart from trying to achieve a good overall type I am hoping to lighten up the colour and produce somewhat smaller bucks.

 

[Sabine]

mewlingcricket wrote:

Wow they are both so beautiful it is hard to pick, but if I could only chose one, I would have to go with Jiggly Pop, she just looks like she has some spunk! Good luck.

Jiggly Pop is certainly a little life wire. She almost reminds me of a Polish. I just worry will she be somewhat delicate for breeding.

 

[Shaded Night Rabbitry]

I like length in my does. Before anyone shoots me for saying that, I've found that my long does just have more space for babies. The racy, nasty dwarf of mine always has at least 6 babies, and very rarely throws a broody type like her. (Only two out of 10 babies, which are petted out for $35)

Out of my show stock, I tend to only get 1-3 babies per litter, before loses to genetic issues. After that, I tend to have either none or one. So unless I really need to fight my show does for some replacements, I just show them. Sometimes I'll breed them, and foster off whatever I can. I haven't ever let anything showy raise their own kits. Either there were too few, or they stayed in nice enough condition to keep showing, or they were moving on to another show/breeding home.

I'll be waiting for your next post with updated pics! Posed would be awesome, if you can sit there and fight them for a few.