oooooh typo
Please don't breed - I am a former breeder of rabbits and stopped about a decade ago. And I bred mainly for my OWN needs (I was a hand spinner and had a small clutch of fuzzy bunnies) and kept many of the offspring. I also showed occassionally - but only those that were stressed by it.
This should read not stressed. And I showed in part to make sure I was breeding only correct type and wool texture.
And to give an idea -
I did a heck of a lot of research into breeding. I grew up around it with dogs and grew up in teh dog show/competition environ.
I studied as much about genetics in rabbits (mainly just color at that point - there was not much on anything else other than genetics and coat types) as I could find.
I studied known hereditary issues.
I chose my rabbits carefully from reseached raisers who also used the wool. Too many English were starting to have coats more like French - incorrect. I also hunted dwn English with the correct cobby build - too many were being bred with French builds - you want a French, get one - do not make the English look like a French!
I questioned backgrounds for health. Spoke to others who had acquired rabbits from these people (checked references), observed their animals at show. I knew what bloodlines to look for and what to avoid. I picked for temperament as much as anything. With rabbits that are so high maintenance, I could not risk the chance of passing on questionable temperament no matter how good the animal. I also chose rabbits from lines known to throw SMALLER litters where most want quantity, I wanted small.
I worked closely with my vet (a highjly recommended exotics guy who was a half hour away and then moved an hour away, I staying with him. When he left the state, I worked with another vet willing to learn about rabbits and put the clinic in touch with who was considered at that time the authority on rabbit health).
We discussed many issues.
I did far more research into breeding than the average person did and I have more than my share of problems.
I was ridiculed by many in the club for the lengths I went...
But by the time I was done, I was the head of the health committee for the club.
By the time I bred my first litter, I knew more than the oldest and longest club member.
I used cages far larger than recommended at the time (though now I know even those were too small.)
I was determined not to make the same mistakes I saw others making.
And you know what.
I went broke. I kept records and never even came close to breaking even.
When all expenses from food and supplies to medical care, grooming supplies, etc., all the expenses that go into ownership and the added ones for breeding... could have paid my old clunker off a heck of a lot faster. Heck I was in my early 20s and driving a old Mercury Grand Marquis wagon because it was all I could afford. All my spare cash was into the animals and then into rescue and cleanign up from a couple nighborhood kids...
There was nothing more soothing than having an Angora stretched out asleep on my lap as I combed out the molting wool for spinning. (I could pluck but was afraid of pulling too hard and tugging new wool).
There was nothing more stressing than praying nothing went wrong with a breeding.
What did I learn?
I would have been better off seeking out rabbits that fit my needs as opposed to breeding them. It would have been easier.
And remember, I went to far greater lengths than most breeders considered highly reputable at that time.
I also discovered I have rabbit allergies so I no longer even rescue - I can manage one small rabbit, but even that can sometimes set me off depending on general air quality and pollen.
My last rabbit was the victim of a bad owner and bad breeder. He was a Holland Lop. He may have pulled out all his front teeth the shelter thought - they would never grow back. But he had no tooth buds or signs of trauma to the gum, I will always wonder if he was born that way as it looked like there were never any teeth at all... But I go by the shelter's assumption as wire pulling is common in bored rabbits in too small cages - and the trauma can be severe.
He had an intestinal problem that turned out to be ideopathic. Possibly hereditary. I knew he would be special needs when I adopted him. But even the humane sociaty had no idea just how special needs. His intestinal issues caused chronic loose stool that caked his bottom. We were always pulling clumps of fecal matter off him. Every day. We were battling raw skin frequently if the stool was excessive soft or runny.
He could not digest food well. He had issues picking up and biting - no incisors. All veggies had to be ground or dried and crushed. He could not eat hay well. We tested many times. Tried many diets. Many medications. Went to great lengths.
He was miserable. He was not active. Did not want to leave his cage unlike his predecessor who was a real great house rabbit. After two years and when he started to bloat for unknown reasons (no blockage, no diet chance recently), we had to put him down.
I do miss showing, but over the past couple days after many posts here, I did a lot of soul searching - it was not the showing actually I missed but the more laid back atmosphere of the "commercial breed" guys as compared to the dog show scene I grew up in. That is what I miss - just kicking back, getting grubby, working a barn... Not really putting a critter on a table for evaluation.
But breeding as right as possible is so much work and expense - and no matter how well you prepare, how well you study and how much you work... Nature humbles. Nature decides what will happen and we can only intervene so much in many respects.
Please, take my experience.
Yes, years ago but there are so many things I remember too clearly.
And I was very lucky. I never lost my favorite doe - the one that was leash trained, who loved to travel with my dog, who used to go hiking while riding in a backpack, who I have pictures of at the top of Cadillac Mountain in Maine at sunrise...
Please, think long and hard...
