The 4 Types

These past two days have been pretty busy here at the rabbitry. As the final breedings for 2014 are made, I have been reassessing my breeding stock. Through the years I have come to the conclusion that there are basically 4 types of rabbits in a breeding herd. The good, the bad, the ugly and the fakes. :)

The Good

These rabbits are the creme-de-la creme! A breeder's dream to own as they not only excel on the show table but also in the nestbox. These rabbits can hit the show tables after a litter and still win. Their babies are just as beautiful as they are, no mater who the rabbit crosses with. Sounds too good to be true? I've had a few and believe me, I don't want to let them go. :) We still have a few here in our barn.

The Bad

Yep, total pet. It's okay, we all get them. They are the rabbits that you can't keep and lost your interest the day they were weaned. Even a bag over the head won't help.

The Ugly

These are the rabbits that are what I call 'parts rabbits'. No they aren't perfect and certainly can't compete with the 'The Good' rabbits but man o' man, can they out produce themselves! These rabbits are gems, you would never know you had one until you bred them. The babies are pretty nice and usually better than their parents. I personally have moved away from keeping the uglies, but most people do keep them and use them with good results.  

The Fakes

I think this type of rabbit is the most disappointing. These are the rabbits who are gorgeous show does (or bucks) that rock the tables but make total flops for offspring. I'm talking pet type rabbits that 'surely no way could they come out of you' when you go to wean them. Yikes. I have had my share and even battle with it now sometimes. I keep thinking surely this rabbit will produce something like themselves...the next breeding...ok the next...try again...and again. It is the hardest to let these go, but hey not everything mixes with what you have. It's okay to let them go and focus on the ones that are doing their job...well. :)

There you have it, the 4 types that ring true in my barn. I want to wish you you all a Happy New Year and that it be filled with 'the Good' rabbits. ;)