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My husband and I would like to start our own rabbitry. We're located in Northern Wisconsin. We just sent in Membership Dues to the ARBA and are waiting for a reply. In the meantime, we already have 2 pet rabbits. 1 Netherland Dwarf, and 1 Lionhead. We've owned rabbits for about 2 years but never thought about breeding. (Most were rescued rabbits) Where is the best place to get breeding stock? What should we look for in the breeding stock? I have many more questions, but this should work for now. Thank You in advance....

2006-08-09 06:11:01 · 6 answers · asked by Farmer Chic 3 in Pets Other - Pets

6 answers

Well, the next step would be to go to some rabbit shows, get to know the other breeders in your breeds. Buy an ARBA Standard Book of Perfection so you know what to look for in your breeds. Local breeders or judges can help show you what to look for. Since Lionheads are not a sanctioned breed, I'd recommend asking the ARBA where you can get a working standard for the breed. The working standard is what the judge goes by till the breed is officially sanctioned. Talk to other local breeders that have your breeds and find out from them what breeders are good to get rabbits from. Just because a rabbit wins at a show doesn't mean it will make a good herd rabbit or will do better for you than one that places lower. The most important thing is knowing what to look for. After you learn what to look for, pick what YOU like. Not what the seller says is best or what the judge says is best. I've been raising and showing rabbits for 24 years. Here's a quick list of what to do:

1. Learn what to look for
2. Start with good stock (pick it out yourself)
3. Learn how to get them in show condition
4. Learn how to breed to get good rabbits. (Study the science of line breeding and how genetics work). The thing to remember is that EVERYTHING is affected by genetics. From how big they get, to how much they eat, to whether they get sick, to how well they milk, to how well they set on the table (attitude), to how many babies they have. Sometimes a good breeder has to get rid of a winning rabbit due to some flaw like not milking good or getting a cold easily. It's tough to make a call like that, but the best do it. Feel free to email me if you have any questions.

2006-08-09 07:32:49 · answer #1 · answered by devilishblueyes 7 · 0 0

OK, first of all, if you want to be a reputable breeder, don't jump headfirst into Lionheads. They are not a recognized breed in the US, they have been so crossbred by so many people that they have everything but the kitchen sink in them and are best left to VERY experienced breeders. Cut your teeth on something a little more established.

My advice is to go to a local show and look at different breeds, talk to the breeders, and see what you might like to start with. Pick one breed at first. Once you choose a breed, join the national specialty (breed) club and you will see show results and have a good idea of who some good breeders are in your area. Talk with them about purchasing a trio or more. If they don't have that many, they can probably refer you to someone who has similar or compatible bloodlines. Listen to them and ask questions, they are top breeders because they know what they are doing! You may have to pay a little more money for good quality rabbits, but it costs the same to feed a good rabbit as it does a poor rabbit!

I would advise showing some of your first rabbits, especially the bucks, so you can learn the strong and weak points of your animals. Don't take any judge's word as gospel, there are some pretty kooky ones out there, but if you are constantly told that this is a top judge for your breed and the other exhibitors really respect their opinion on the breed, feel free to ask them questions AFTER judging. When you start raising your litters and showing your own is when you will really learn about your breed and how the rabbits in your bloodline develop. Feel free to ask experienced breeders to give you pointers, opinions on your rabbits and how to improve them.

Basically, there's no way to become an overnight sensation unless you spend a ton of money buying instant winners, but even then, the rabbit show world will know you're newbies ;) True respect comes when you begin producing consistent, good quality rabbits and have the sportsmanship and attitude to go with it.

2006-08-09 08:59:47 · answer #2 · answered by BB 5 · 0 0

Thats great that you guys are interested in raising rabbits.we could always use some more rabbit breeders.well its great that you have become members of the ARBA that will help you learn about his wonderful hobby.the best place to get rabbits is at a rabbit show near you .you can go to http://www.arba.net/showinfo.htm to find out where the shows are near you.some of the basic things to look for in rabbits is 1st - are they healthy ,2nd- have they been bred before,3rd- if so how many babies and were they all healthy,and is she a good mom.but for checking the quality of the rabbit or how nice of show qualty it is there is a different standard for each breed. the ARBA website is very helpful if you need to look for breeders of learn about a breed of rabbits.the ARBA web site is www.arba.net.feel free to e-mail me privately if you have any questions.i would love to help.

2006-08-09 07:32:13 · answer #3 · answered by redneckgirl3688 2 · 0 0

We have been there and done that!
First look around for other breeders in your area. You can usually get a breeding pair off of them.
Lops are good sellers too. You will sell more around Easter and you can talk to some pet stores they are usually good to buy from you. Especially if you have handled the babies and they are calm and clean.
We usually washed them off with a cloth before selling.
Good luck, there wonderful!
We've moved on to horses.....

2006-08-09 07:24:40 · answer #4 · answered by River Walker 2 · 0 0

respected breeders love their breed. they do no longer ought to confirm on between Irish Setters and Australian Shepherds. those breeds are 2 vastly distinct dogs for 2 vastly distinct purposes. you've not any actual pastime for both so how will you assume to get comprehend as a respected breeder? you've not any pastime for herding nor herding dogs nor a pastime for searching upland sport and upland sport dogs. You for sure like the Pitbull which i'm sorry for my section IS a breed, that's merely short for the yank Pitbull Terrier (to me the Am. artwork force is the rip off and under no circumstances any opposite direction round). in case you merely like the breed, own the breed and performance a pastime for it, breed Pitbulls! Lord is prevalent with they want some decent breeders on their area! Secondly that's Chess no longer Checkers. you won't be able to bypass out and purchase a pup and breed her, if it replaced into that straightforward there'd be no undesirable dogs. pups are a large gamble, you under no circumstances recognize for a actuality what you've till the canines is an adult (18-24 months). you could make knowledgeable guesses certain, yet a large type of issues can substitute in 2 years. also keep in recommendations breeding is all about women folk. I continuously advise that someone starts with some adult women folk ideally women folk who've been shown and worked and excel at both. those will be your beginning b****s. then you definately hit upon a stud that is wonderful and make him your beginning stud. you could run a breeding software and under no circumstances own a male as long as you've get acceptable of entry to to three reliable studs! maximum breeders at present haven't any theory of undemanding strategies to create their own lines and that is between the numerous the clarification why high quality dogs fetch any such intense value, and why there are any such large type of "mutts" in a purebred's clothing. yet to sum all of it up, i imagine you're attempting to do too a lot too quickly. identifying to purchase a pup and it growing breeding high quality is rolling the dice with the lease money on the line. And in case you do not recognize each thing about your breed, get exhilaration from your breed, and be in a position to quote that's standard on your sleep you're able to not breed it, era.

2016-11-23 17:49:18 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0 0

Go to all the fall fairs in you area. They will have rabbit show with registered stock for sale.
A

2006-08-16 07:01:32 · answer #6 · answered by iceni 7 · 0 0

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