So what's my point? Please, please don't take this the wrong way but this hobby of mine has always been to enjoy raising and showing this breed for me and my family. It is NOT a business. That may seem selfish and I have come to the conclusion that if someone wants something bad enough, they will find a way to get it. If I can help, I certainly will but if I don't have anything for sale, please understand why.
Melanie of LilBit Farms (http://lilbitfarms.blogspot.com/2011/08/odds-and-ends.html) made a good point about the 'odds' of getting what you want when inquiring about rabbits....again please don't take it the wrong way. I am breeding for my herd, just as every other breeder that breeds to the standard.
I want a top show doe - slim to none
* I want that same show doe, both to show and to produce the next generation of 4King's rabbits. I figure if I've taken the time and energy to selectively cull and breed to get that doe then I should have first dibs on her.
I wouldn't mind waiting for a proven show doe - medium to high
* After a doe has had her show career, moved into breeding and successfully produced, then we often sell that doe around 1 1/2 to 2 years old.
I want a show doe - medium
* We may be working on fixing a certain fault in our herd and even though she is show quality she just doesn't fit into our breeding program at that time. I consider a doe 'show' if I would put her onto the table myself. I DO NOT consider a doe 'show' just because she is free of disqualifications.
I'm looking for a brood doe - high to very high
* For me to consider a rabbit 'brood' it does have to have certain qualities to rate it as such; markings, hindquarter, head, depth etc. and in some combination. Brood stock does not do well on the show table but often out produce themselves to where they are an invaluable part of your herd.
I want a buck with perfect eyebands, short ears, rounded head, short/wide shoulders with a full hindquarter and some depth, the whole package - slim to none
* Again, I want that same buck, both to show and produce the next generation of 4King's rabbits. I figure if I've taken the time and energy to selectively cull and breed to get that buck then...I will keep him a while :-)
I'm looking for a brood type buck - high to very high
* Brood type bucks are fairly common and sometimes you get lucky and have one that outproduces himself to no end. If you find one and he meshes well with your does, you've hit the jackpot. :-)
I'd like a pet, and no I won't breed it when it is mature. high to very high
*Great! I would love to help if one comes available. I appreciate those who do NOT breed their pets. There is a reason the rabbit is a pet and nearly 100% of the time it is because the rabbit has poor type.
So that's that in a nutshell. Please know that I would love to sell every one of my babies to everyone who inquires to help them get started but it is just not feasible at this time. I can provide other breeder's contact information to help in that way. Maybe one day I can have a larger brood herd but until then, it will be a small amount of stock available from time to time.
Have a blessed weekend to all! I can't wait to post pictures of our trip to the 6 breed nationals this weekend!
3 comments:
I wanted to say that the rabbits are *yours*, you don't have to sell any of them if you don't want to! Yes, it's nice and helpful of breeders to sell good stock when they can, but aren't each of us ultimately breeding for our own herds? You have to get your herd to where you want it before you can help others.
I know what you mean - quite frankly, I want to keep my best stock for myself! =) That's not to say I never sell show quality to others: I do. It's just that working my lines is first priority, that's how I will have more nice babies in the long run, anyways. Totally agree with you, and April... for goodness sakes, you are the one working hard to further your herd, you can't just sell your one gorgoues baby to someone else! =)
Nicely said!
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