I know nothing about breeding in the UK - but here is what I would do.
a. Find the organization that is most like ARBA here in the states (if there is one) and join it.
b. See if there are specialty groups for the breeds you want to work with - and join it.
c. Buy the UK version of the "standards of perfection" if there is such a thing.
Now why do I suggest all these things? They add up in money - right?
Well - usually joining the National organization gets you some sort of guidebook or yearbook listing members (helpful for contacts). To me, as a fellow breeder - it says, "this is someone willing to invest a bit in their breeding to learn..". With ARBA here in the states we also get a bimonthly magazine.
Joining a specialty club helps support the club - but there is often times a guidebook which talks about those breeds and what to look for or how to deal wtih them. It also says to breeders, "Hey...I'mworking on my rabbits and willing to invest a bit to learn and be partof this group..".
I'd also go to some shows if they have them (I'm guessing that they do). Meet other breeders and actually see how judges judge rabbits so you know what you're looking for.
I'd educate myself on the colors as much as possible - if only to be able to not look like a ninny if someone mentions a color and I'm going, "uh...what's that?".
One thing to remember about the breed(s) you're considering is that they are LARGE bunnies and may well have LARGE litters. Can you afford a LARGE feed bill? Just something to consider...
Also - read a bit first about the personalities of those rabbits. We had a french lop for a few months - I thought Tiny would enjoy having someone his size.
NOT!
French lops have a much different personality (just my opinion from the one we had) - more aggressive - whereby Tiny is more laid back (unless he gets around an aggressive doe or a buck who tries to mount him).
Also ask yourself how much time you can devote to this.
Once you decide to start breeding - get the VERY VERY BEST buck you can afford. Then get two does - I like to recommend folks get them from the same breeder as the bloodlines may be more likely to mesh well - I've done the "buy the cute bunny from here and from there" thing (and I'm getting some from different breeders this year too) and I find it doesn't always work that well.
Finally - breed your does within 24 hours of each other or so - that way you will hopefully have a foster mom if something messes up.
Peg
grumpybabies wrote:
This is just a thoughtin the back of my mind, but i was thinking of the possibility of doing a few proper breedings of french lops or flemish giants to sell to people, not to pet shops. Is this a stupid idea? I would only want to do it with the proper knowledge, pure bred rabbits etc, so what would ihave to do to start to get the knowledge to be responsible and knowledgable enough to do it well?
