Weaning Baybeez

[JAK Rabbitry]

So I have this litter of French Lops. I really need to sell them. I did have a waiting list for them but I can't seem to get a hold of anybody except one woman in MIchigan who wants to pick them up at the Pa convention.

My dilemma is that I know and I avoid selling babies at shows if they're not 8+ weeks old. I haven't really sold any bunnies at shows (other than a few adults) so this is the first time I've had this problem. Most of my babies came from lines I started from bunnies I rescued from meat auctions, so due to the lack of a full pedigree, I didn't even bother trying to sell them to show people and I sold most of them as pets out of my home.
Pa Convention is the first weekend in Feb. My baby Frenchies will be a meager 3 days short of the 8 week mark. I had no problems wit the litter and they're all very healthy, happy ,and FAT as can be.

I'd love to take them to the show because it's a big one and a good opportunity to finally meet more French Lops breeders (thers' a big shortage in my area) who would want to buy them. But I don't want any trouble from anyone and I don't need anyone starting rumors or something about me that I sell babies under 8 weeks at shows. But is 3 days really going to make a difference? I also don't need someone like, getting me in trouble.

Shun the Jesse! Shhuuuuunnnnnnnn

Your opinions, please.

 

[BlueGiants]

Are they weaned from Momma yet? Have you seperated them from her? What age do you usually wean your lops? I wouldn't take them out of her cage to the show, but if they are (or will be at least 4 days) seperated and weaned, and they are of good weight, eatting well and gaining weight, I'd do it. JMHO.

 

[JAK Rabbitry]

Alright, they're not of weaning age just yet but they're coming along nicely. They're huge and growing a lot faster than usual but they're out of a really big line, too. I personally thinkthey'd be fine. They're at around 4ish weeks now and are eating sooo much food.

Thanks for you input, I'd lie kto get more opinions though. I'm not really worried about the babies, but one of my concerns was like ticking other people off. A friend of mine jsut sold a 7 week old at a show and a kid that knows her is a friend of mine and I was talking to him and he seemed really TO'd about it. So I didn't want someone like that telling the world i'm evil or something.

Like I was in 4H for 10 years and we were always taught that bunnies are weaned in 6-8 weeks. And these babies would be right in between so... yeah.

 

[Bramblerose]

Well, in the Fine Commonwealth of Pensyltucky young animals of pet species must be 7 weeks old to be sold legally in this state, puppies, kittens, rabbits so forth and so on. I have seen bunnies that young for sale at shows, many times, my main concern would be the stress of the drive itself. I really don't think you'll be shunned, your legally within your rights to sell them, your not breaking the law. Some folks may get up in arms, most won't, your talking about people who breed and show rabbits, some are pet people, but many see them as livestock. I mean no offense to anyone by that. Whether you want to bring them that far is up to you, I've had young rabbits suddenly get loose stools over a long trip from stress no doubt, and then no one wants to buy them anyway. It is a huge show, well worth your trying to get there, you will have excellant chances to connect with other French Lop folks. You could try advertising here on this Yahoo list to see if there's any interest before you loaded them up and took them with you-

http://pets.groups.yahoo.com/group/RabbitClassifieds/?yguid=72050093

I checked the show catalog, there is no age minimum on rabbits for sale, so I assume that they defer to state law on that one. I will say, that older is always better. I do not know off the top of my head if ARBA has a standing rule or suggestion in this case, you might want to look that up. But most likely its up to you, its a judgement call.

 

[JAK Rabbitry]

hmm thats interesting.
I know some rabbits stress over travel but i've never ever had a problem and I consider m yself lucky. When we drove to Michigan for convention, I heard a bunch of people say their rabbits went off eed or water rfo mteh stress and one woman's rabbit died the day after check in. MY bunnies all eat, drink, and poop just fine, I'm not sure if its just how I go about it or if there' s something at home that's acclimated them to stress and junk but I have high hopes really.

i'll agree that older is better. I have a doe who will be 10-11 weeks old that i'm goign to try to take there also.

Its looking like I will be taking them, but i'll be taking a lto of precautions during travel. I do have electrolytes for stress and junk I usually take on longer trips.

 

[BlueGiants]

I assume you will be bringing food for each bunny you intend to sell to, right? Just to keep them on the same pellet for a little bit and so they can be weaned over to whatever the new owner wants to feed them...

 

[TinysMom]

First of all, I want that gray one....how adorable. Do you know yet if it is a buck or doe? (I already know I can't bring another rabbit here - so it is safe for me to say "I want" cause I can't have).

I think if you felt they were ready to go to new homes - I'd take them. Yeah - some folks will say things but others sell at that age and the bunnies do ok.

I've had some litters that were ready for new homes at 7 weeks and others that weren't ready till 10 weeks - I think a lot of it is knowing your bunnies...

I know a lot of lionhead breeders will be there and they're already posting their litters they'll have available, etc.

Peg

 

[JAK Rabbitry]

Yar i will bring food for the babies.

The gray one is an opal. Yes he's adorable. No he's too young for me to sex yet so I haven't even bothered.

If you have friends coming up for the show, they can bring him home for you!

-JAK