Hi again!
First of all, I have a feeling that what I want to say may sound abruptor rude or something and I don't mean it to sound that way - I justhave a headache right now and am not sure I can word things right...ok?
I would be hesitant to show or breed him without having a breederactually look on him and put their hands on him (and your doe) and makea recommendation. I also would do a lot more studying before breeding.
Over the last couple of months, we've had situations on here wherepeople have bred rabbits with heartbreaking results. Litters have beenlost....does have been lost...one doe got an infection. A number ofproblems can arise when a person is breeding - and when it is a belovedpet or a rabbit you bought for a pet - there can be health issues lateron down the road.
Also, it can be hard enough to find homes for pedigreed purebredrabbits - let alone rabbits that are not pedigreed or purebred. Yes, Iunderstand wanting to breed them for pets..I really do (I am abreeder). But trust me - you don't make money at it (at least not forlong) and many folks can't handle the fact that breeders frequentlylose 25% of the kits between birth and weaning is done. This can be dueto stillbirths, etc.
Anyway - let me try to explain some things...
a. Shows - if he isn't really "show quality" (and I knownothing about Hollands except to know that the crowns are a major thing- but I don't know if he is even a showable color for Hollands) - thenevery time you take him to a show you are paying money to hear himcritiqued....but you are also possibly exposing him to any healthissues that any other rabbit at that show may have. I have heard ofbreeders coming back from shows where a rabbit had wry neck orsomething else - and suddenly it is in their herd for the first time.
Showing is fun - don't get me wrong - and if you really want to show -then invest the money is a show-quality rabbit from a reputablebreeder. This way you are getting a rabbit that will hopefully do wellon the show table.
But from what I've seen of your rabbit- and I honestly and truly knowvery very little about hollands - he doesn't strike me as a show rabbitin his looks. I can't explain it - it has something to do with the waythey sit and hold their head, etc.
b. Breeding - getting back to breeding for a bit..
Certain colors of rabbits are best bred to each other - or left alone.If your rabbit is a marten - I'm not sure I would breed him to achestnut. They are in different color families. You really need toeducate yourself on the different color families and pick one or maybetwo to work with.
Now we can help you with book recommendations and website recommendations....
But also - breeding can get complicated. You need to know what to watchfor if a doe is in distress. First time mamas will frequently havetheir litters "on the wire" instead of in the nestbox...so you maybreed and then lose the whole litter at birth.
Or what if you get a stuck kit? Do you have the funds available to go to the vet for help and shots?
Do you see what I'm getting at? Breeding is more than just sticking tworabbits together and letting them "do it". Its more than just havingbabies (and I'm sitting here halfway watching my weanling babies as Itype this).
It is about choosing the right rabbits to go together to make the righttype and color of babies. Its about knowing the "standard ofperfection" for your breed if you're going to sell rabbits to breedersand people who want to show.
I'm going to say something that may sound mean - but I promise you - I don't mean to make it sound that way.
Let's say I'm looking for a pet rabbit. You are a pet breeder in mytown - and in the next town over is Breeder X who breeds for show andbreeding. She/He is also going to get pet quality rabbits and I woulddrive from my town to their town to get a rabbit (even if it was a bitmore) - simply because they probably know more about the breed and areused to helping new rabbit owners more. Now - I'm not saying everyonewould do that....but I have discovered that mindset. I had some peopledrive EIGHT HOURS ONE WAY to get two of my lionheads - when there werelionhead breeders within 1-2 hours of them....because of myreputation...not my show reputation (I don't show that much) butbecause of my reputation for the way I raise my animals. Thisis partly why I'm saying what I say...
Now if you really REALLY want to breed - then here is what I encourage you to do:
a. Find and join the National club for the breed you want to work with (we can help you with that)
b. Attend some shows and watch the judges as they judge thatbreed. Ask breeders if you can also see their rabbits and touch them.Ask them to explain what it means about a 'slipped crown' or terms youmay have heard the judge use.
c. Then buy a trio to breed with - from a reputable breederwho will provide a pedigree. Get two females and abuck. Breed both females either on the same day or one on oneday and one on the next day. This way if one doe has problems - theother doe can foster.
I personally think this is the BEST way to get into breeding...with a trio from a reputable breeder.
Now you will have "purebred" bunnies - and in the eyes of the customers- even if you're selling them at the same price as pets...they'regetting a "good deal".
I find that my customers - even though they don't get pedigrees fortheir rabbits...love to be able to say, "I have a purebred (fill incolor) lionhead."
Peg
marie_martin wrote:
So he would be ok toshow or breed if I chose to? Not that I am, just asking. Thanks.
Marie
I can promise you that I take no offense toanything you said and fully expected the same. I will tell you that Ibreed registered Nigerian Dwarf Goats and completely understand yourconcern for those who choose to breed without doing any research orknowing anything about what they are breeding. I am researching andtrying to learn before making a decision to breed or sell rabbits. Idid breed the two I have one time and posted here asking questionsabout her pregnancy, I think that you responded. I plan to keep anybabies that she has for my kids as pets. I really do not plan to breedthem or sell babies or show, I was just asking questions because I liketo know. I completely understand about the dowfalls in breeding, as Ihave experienced some with my goats and I learn more ever day. And I dosell my goats to pet only homes for now and I can promise you I ask alot of questions and have had to turn down homes that I did not thinkwere suitable. So I would never go into a breeding program lightly. Wemostly raise the animals that we have for our own pets, goats andchickens included. We only sell a few as pets and only to persons welike and feel we can trust. And with the goats, we wether (castrate)any males sold. We try to do our part in keeping goats out of shelters.So you have not offended me and I do appreciate the information.
