Do you feel successful as a breeder?

[ckcs]

I've been a member for a little while at least and wonder how you view your own success or struggle with rabbit breeding. What do you think contribute to your success and failure. For the sake of this discussion I'm referring to success in raising healthy rabbits not on your ability to sell the rabbits.

I very myself am very pleased with my success so far. I am by no means boasting. I don't have the experience or numbers to compete with larger breeders but so far so good. I've been keeping rabbits for 4 years now and breeding some for a year. I have 14 adults and have raised around 30 kits to maturity. We have 4 rabbits that are over 5 years, most are 1-2 years old. 10 of our 14 are in our breeding program (4 bucks, 6 does). My rabbits have come from 7 different breeder or came from our breeding program. Other than some kits born dead and 1 kit that fell from a top tier cage and died, we have had zero deaths and no signs of illness.

While I think some of my success is luck, I think a lot of it is because my rabbits are inside my house. They enjoy a constant temperature and environment. I'll admit that I've never quarantined a rabbit however I plan to in the future. I'm not obsessive about my care but I am pretty consistent. I feed and water my rabbits daily. Other than dumping the water out of their bottles, I don't clean them much. I clean cages based on rabbit size, cage setup and rabbits output level. I clean some cages every 5 days, some 7 and some 10. I use pelleted horse bedding pellets for litter and scoop out the wet areas and piles of poop. I hose the trays off usually about once a month. I've never disinfected a cage and rarely do I scrub them completely.

Why do you think that you are successful? If you have had struggles what do you attribute them too?

 

[Kyle@theWintertime]

I'm only just feeling like anything BUT a failure, lol. I had some issues when I started in rabbits...I've struggled to find my own way of doing things; I've kept a number of different rabbits of a few different breeds...and after moving back in with my dad, I had a "dry spell" of over six months without a single live litter, and then my only MR buck up and died. It was a nightmare.

Now, with the help of this forum as well as the advice (and breeding stock) from some FANTASTIC breeders, I've got three live litters, I'm pretty sure both does I bred a couple days ago took, my whole herd is happy and healthy, and most exciting of all..........I'm getting ready to take my FIRST homebred rabbit to a show next month!!!!

So right now? I feel like I'm starting to really find my footing.

 

[Peach]

I'm feeling pretty good about where I've gotten

I recognized I've come a LONG way from where I was before. I'm glad I was able to accomplish top 20 and just almost by the skin of my teeth into the top 10 at Nationals. Next year my goals are to make it into the top 10 and get a nice shiney plaque :mrgreen:

I wish I hadn't lost my super nice herd buck along the way with several other rabbits, but what can you do. If raising competitive rabbits was easy then I probably would of been in and out of this hobby pretty quick.

I have homebreds winning, so it makes me know I'm going in the right direction, but I wouldn't have gotten there without the right people and the right foundation.

Within this hobby you will have to be prepared for failures, but the rewards are great when your rabbit wins.

I enjoy keeping a tidy rabbitry (not immaculate by any means), feeding,watering,grooming.....I feel I do have a bit of OCD when it comes to feeding and watering....there is a certain way I like it done :roll:

 

[3mina]

I got back into rabbits a couple of years ago after a fifteen year hiatus.

My first summer I had 1 litter
The next spring I had 5 does who each had four litters (average 9) with an embarrassing mortality rate
This year, having moved my herd from where they were and making a few other changes, I already have a very nice freezer full with more growing out.

I've done some showing, acquired a new breed, made new friends, filled my freezer, and learned a ton.
I feel very successful as a breeder and I'm looking forward to many more years of learning

 

[Cottie]

Feeling like a failure.

Nothing has gone right. Haven't had one good grow-out yet. As soon as I get things settled with the rabbit set-up itself, some externality arises that throws a wrench in everything.

 

[SatinsRule]

I only feel as successful as my next litter and my next show performance. IOW, I keep trying to do better each time out.

The day you become satisfied with how you're doing at anything, you've likely gone as far as you're going to go.

 

[grumpy]

Rabbit Husbandry will cause one to "scratch" a bald spot on their head. :x That's a guarantee!!

I do not honestly believe..one will ever learn all that there is to know about raising and keeping a healthy herd of rabbits.

There are far too many variables that come into play on an almost daily basis. Environmental, subtle variances in feed, varmints and their impact on the herd if its exposed to them. It's a continual, ongoing effort to maintain the herd to the best of your abilities.

Without question....it's a challenge and I thrive on challenges. I enjoy solving problems. Small ones, big ones, problems will arise and challenge you to find the solution. If I were to "grade" myself over my past year's performance.....Maybe a C+ or a B-. Not super good, but not totally bad either.

The most important necessity needed in raising rabbits is: Patience.
And I feel I've got a fair amount of patience.
Maybe not with people, but with my rabbits.

Grumpy.

 

[Dood]

referring to success in raising healthy rabbits not on your ability to sell the rabbits.

I am very happy with my breedings.

Other than a nasty bout of coccidia in May that really slowed down growth rates, I haven't had much disease and my kit mortality is less than 1%. My does are all wonderful mothers with friendly temperaments and who've had smooth deliveries, good nests, and no kits born on the wire - even if I wish one or two had larger litters or got pregnant on schedule

And it maybe a bit cruel to say this but anytime I hit a bump in the road and feel depressed that it's not going perfectly, I come here and I am reminded that things could be MUCH worse and that I am actually having a lot of success with my rabbits.

 

[ladysown]

i am quite happy with my breedings as well.

my rabbits are healthier, able to stand up to more changes in their lives, my polish win at shows, my guinea pigs required hardly any mite treatment this year....

I am so pleased with all that.

 

[dangerbunny]

Define success?

I really enjoy my rabbits and feel I am producing nice SF. My rabbits are very healthy and enjoy a happy bunny life. I like taking care of them. There are things to improve on (like actually getting my Hollands knocked up, lol) but overall I feel I'm doing fine.

 

[fuzzy9]

I'm happy where I'm at, but not because of what I do or don't know when it comes to rabbits, or the ups and downs, but because I'm finally making headway on my spotted meat rabbit project, and it's truly fun to me. If there wasn't something fun about this, and I wasn't enjoying myself, I wouldn't do it.

 

[ckcs]

referring to success in raising healthy rabbits not on your ability to sell the rabbits.

I am very happy with my breedings.

Other than a nasty bout of coccidia in May that really slowed down growth rates, I haven't had much disease and my kit mortality is less than 1%. My does are all wonderful mothers with friendly temperaments and who've had smooth deliveries, good nests, and no kits born on the wire - even if I wish one or two had larger litters or got pregnant on schedule

And it maybe a bit cruel to say this but anytime I hit a bump in the road and feel depressed that it's not going perfectly, I come here and I am reminded that things could be MUCH worse and that I am actually having a lot of success with my rabbits.

Although I'm not thrilled with dead kits from first time does, I don't look at it as a failure on my part. Other than that has your survival rate always been really high and disease rate been low? Are your rabbits indoors or outdoors. I plan on raising some rabbits in open outdoors by years end. I am really concerned about it because I think there will be increased stress. Am I wrong in assuming that as stress increases death and illness also increase?

Define success?

If you are pretty consistently pleased with how things are goings for you, I would say that is a success.

 

[PSFAngoras]

I have only recently been getting good success, but I would certainly call it that. I am having a really hard time trying to find a second breed to add to my herd, but I have finally found a source for good quality FA's, and I have a two amazing bucks, one perfect doe, and three awaiting to prove themselves this winter. I couldn't be happier with my buns right now!

 

[squidpop]

I feel pretty good because none of my rabbits has gotten sick or died. But I won't feel successful until I get a blue eyed white Jersey Wooly. Right now all I have is a Blue eyed white Nethie and two Jersey Woolies who don't carry the blue eyed white gene and a vienna carrier cashmere lop x Jersey Wooly. So- I think a year before I know if my plans will work.

 

[skysthelimit]

Well the first few years at least they all were healthy.

But this has been one disappointment after another. Either deals fell through to get good stock, genetic issues began to pop up in the expensive stock I did buy, expensive show stock dropping dead or coming up sick, does stopped breeding, or could not provide milk. Jrs would fail to make weight. Finally an abundance of showable kits, and half of them start dying for mysterious reasons. I have replaced my entire herd three times. It's near impossible to find hay, food is not consistent.

I'm starting to feel like this is not worth the aggravation. I'm not sure if it's better to quit now or continue on. All the signs are there to quit. At this point I am selling anything that is not a wooler.
Success for me would be to go out and meet my rabbits in the morning without some major drama.

 

[Prisma]

Health and happieness wise, I've been pleased this year. I've had a few mishaps, but nothing like in prior years. Of course, I've not been actively breeding for 3-6 litters every 2 months either. I've done maybe 6 all year different individuals. If count the ones I tried to get a litter from that were of questionable producers because of prior owner issues (didn't pay for them so figured would give a shot, were not bad looking rabbits either and had some nice typed rabbits behind them so it would've paid if they'd produced). Even though said not to, selling wise its a bust. I've not had any to sell.

If my good fortune continues once litters start coming this fall, I will be thrilled more so. Time will only tell..

 

[ckcs]

I feel pretty good because none of my rabbits has gotten sick or died. But I won't feel successful until I get a blue eyed white Jersey Wooly. Right now all I have is a Blue eyed white Nethie and two Jersey Woolies who don't carry the blue eyed white gene and a vienna carrier cashmere lop x Jersey Wooly. So- I think a year before I know if my plans will work.

The BEW is fun to get into your herd. I've been working on Lionlop for a little while now. In a resent Generation II litter I got surprise with a BEW. I knew the buck carried the vienna gene but didn't think the doe carried it. I'd really like to keep the BEW going on the next generation but the odds of getting what I want will be increased. To continue I would need a Double Mane, BEW Doe. Figuring the odds for a doe are 1:2. The odds of Double Mane are 1:4 and the odds of BEW are 1:4 that gives me a 1 in 32 kit chance of getting a double mane bew doe. I hope to get lucky.<br /><br />__________ Wed Aug 28, 2013 7:23 pm __________<br /><br />

Well the first few years at least they all were healthy.

But this has been one disappointment after another. Either deals fell through to get good stock, genetic issues began to pop up in the expensive stock I did buy, expensive show stock dropping dead or coming up sick, does stopped breeding, or could not provide milk. Jrs would fail to make weight. Finally an abundance of showable kits, and half of them start dying for mysterious reasons. I have replaced my entire herd three times. It's near impossible to find hay, food is not consistent.

I'm starting to feel like this is not worth the aggravation. I'm not sure if it's better to quit now or continue on. All the signs are there to quit. At this point I am selling anything that is not a wooler.
Success for me would be to go out and meet my rabbits in the morning without some major drama.

I know you have had a hard time recently with things. I hope you continue. I am cheering for you.

 

[3mina]

Although I'm not thrilled with dead kits from first time does, I don't look at it as a failure on my part. Other than that has your survival rate always been really high and disease rate been low? Are your rabbits indoors or outdoors. I plan on raising some rabbits in open outdoors by years end. I am really concerned about it because I think there will be increased stress. Am I wrong in assuming that as stress increases death and illness also increase?.

I raise Rex outdoors in a place where I get eight months of winter & it's hits -40 for weeks at a time, I have rabbits that enjoy being outside. I had more issues when I had them in the shed over last winter than I've ever had with them outside.
As long as you give them as much time as possible to acclimate they will do great

 

[Mary Ann's Rabbitry]

Although I'm not thrilled with dead kits from first time does, I don't look at it as a failure on my part. Other than that has your survival rate always been really high and disease rate been low? Are your rabbits indoors or outdoors. I plan on raising some rabbits in open outdoors by years end. I am really concerned about it because I think there will be increased stress. Am I wrong in assuming that as stress increases death and illness also increase?.

I raise Rex outdoors in a place where I get eight months of winter & it's hits -40 for weeks at a time, I have rabbits that enjoy being outside. I had more issues when I had them in the shed over last winter than I've ever had with them outside.
As long as you give them as much time as possible to acclimate they will do great

:yeahthat:


I totally agrea 100 percent.. I had mine in a barn before.. Now they are outside.. They do so much better outside and they are healthier.. We also get very cold here... they are fine with it. The only thing .,,you are out in all kinds of weather.. that is the down part.. just make sure they are shelter from the wind and rain and snow.. and they will do fine.