possible new category? : Welcome to RabbitTalk

[ladysown]

A place for people who sell to the pet crowd, to ask pet crowd type of questions.

[Anntann]

Other than Pet Rabbits? I think you could ask things there...at least for now since we don't have many just pet owners online....Would that work for now?

[ladysown]

yes I could, but breeders of pet rabbits have particular concerns that aren't always easily addressed on say the meat rabbits forum.

[MaggieJ]

Very true. I was thinking about that myself, Ladysown, but wasn't sure there was the demand for it. Let me mull it over for a day or so and see where it would best fit in. Thanks for the idea.

[Anntann]

okay. after a chat, I FINALLY understand! for breeders of rabbits who will be sold as pets..without offending pet owners with the ins and outs of various things.....

__________Thu Jan 14, 2010 6:27 pm ___________

so...under Profit....cool.

[MaggieJ]

Yes, it would have to go under profit.

[randtrabbitry]

great idea i don't ask questions in pet rabbits area cause i don't want to possibility upset someone who just has one for a pet

[Briza]

And pet owners won't go to profit?
I don't follow. I have lots of questions because we are starting in Lionheads.
We have only done meat breeds in the past. My main question is why did I think I wanted to do this

[MaggieJ]

Briza, I think there is a difference between questions, stories and "brags" about one's pet rabbits and the issues surrounding raising rabbits for pet sales. The site would be more user-friendly if we add a new category under the Profit section. Just working out the details... so it may be a couple of days, depending on MidnightCoder's schedule.

[ladysown]

There are pet issues. Stuff that just comes up in raising pets, whether it be the thrill of a first litter, or the sadness of an old loved one dying, or an ACK!!! my rabbit got too hot on a car trip, what do I do???? Pet people are different. They really are.

Then there's the nitty gritty of actually breeding FOR the pet market. How to handle pet people (which is a skill in and of itself), rabbit care sheets, pet guarantees (needful or no?), what to do with designer breeds and such. It's more of a livestock mentality DESPITE our attachment (or lack thereof) for our breeders. I really LIKE some of my rabbits, others I have simply because I know their babies will sell well for the pet market, and I have one that is just "MY" bunny, just as my son has "His" rabbit, this girlie is mine. Doesn't really work for pet or show market (cause her babies are just well... not the greatest) ...unless I find something that will SUIT her, but I'm not buying one buck for one rabbit.

It's a bit of a balancing act for me right now. I know what eventually I want to breed for, but I need sales to pay for what I want to do. So...do I keep this rabbit because it's colours will sell in MY market, OR do I get rid of it because it overall type wise etc...won't work for my eventual goals? pet people don't need to read about that...but breeders do. whether it's to offer suggestions OR to learn from themselves as they work through those same dilemmas.

[Briza]

Yes I understand the different topics that would be approached by strictly pet owners and I see how you are trying to be different from other forums by being more inclusive. I was inquiring if you meant to shield the pet owners from breeders seemingly more cavalier attitudes due to necessity and familiarity. Hence questioning if they would go to a topic heading that would offend them unwittingly.

My venture into the lionheads was to stimulate me to learn something new to keep my interest level up but I think pet owning generates alot of hardship on animals. Then again there are joyous children learning lots of skills having pets.
Caretaking soon becomes just that and rather mechanical if something fun and new isn't happening sometimes. I am guessing it will be a long while before I have something much more than cute pets but it is at least variation on the theme of rabbit care!

I am working on a newsy kind of instruction sheet including links to help online - any suggestions very welcome.

B~

[ladysown]

Will this be for pet people?

For pet people I stress TWO things.
1. rabbits are prey animals, ergo they think that something is going to eat me when all my feet are off the ground. THEREFORE as it's caretaker/owner you have to teach the bunny that you are safe. that you WILL NOT deliberately hurt it and that means treating it nicely, offering it food it likes to eat, being gentle and such. Teaching them that some bunnies never get over their fear of being picked up because it's hardwired into their brains that being picked up usually means danger.
2. Being careful about what you feed it. If doing something new, start with something the size of a quarter, and then checking for poopy butt the next day and gradually (always the size of a quarter) increasing the amount. NEVER to exceed 1 cup of fresh feed a day. This is based on a pellet-based diet which overall I find is safest for new rabbit people.

[MaggieJ]

There is no way - or need, as far as I can see - to shield pet owners from the realities of breeding rabbits for the pet market. Almost all of our members are adults. We have one 12-year-old, but he breeds his rabbits for sale or meat. People can go to the boards they enjoy. If they don't like the others, they don't have to expose themselves to the content. I will try to make sure that the topic subject line reflects that the new board is for breeders.

Ideas for the name of the new forum are welcome!

[Brody]

I totallly agree and in fact think people who understand the pet market better might consider shelter rabbits if they desperately want one as a pet - just a (Very) alternative point of view!

[Anntann]

Servicing the pet market?
Selling for Pets?
Pet Placement?
Pet Particulars?