Pet quality vs Show/Brood quality

[SleepyhollowRabbitry]

at what week can you tell if your kit will be show/brood or Pet quality? I have a litter of mini lops. I have asked potential new owners why they want the rabbit in the first place. If they want it for show/Brood or Pet... My answers i get are Pet... So those wont be sold with pedigree... but however what if the bunny they picked out turns out to be show quality? How do i approach them and tell them, hey i do have an upcoming litter of mini lop pet quality coming would you be interested in one of those?? Is that how i would say it? I mean i dont want to turn down a potential buyer but i dont want them to get something they dont want. One woman told me pet but maybe use for breeding. My issue with that one is she raises angora rabbits and i dont CONDONE to Mixed Breed rabbits...Your just creating more PET...and a weird breed... dont get me started on Designer breeds... :evil: But anyways my kits will be 3 weeks old tomorrow. I have 2 bkn black, 2 solid black, 1 sable chin, 1 bkn chestnut, and the other is a siamese pointed??

 

[MamaSheepdog]

Most states do not allow pet sales until the animal is 8 weeks old, so I would evaluate them a final time just before that and then let your buyers know which are available and at what price.

 

[Dood]

All rabbits can be pets and a buyer wanting a "pet quality" bunny will not be upset if you sell them a perfect example of the breed who could win if shown so I am confused about your dilema ...

Do you charge more for better looking stock?

If so it would be unethical to up the price just because you don't have a poorer specimen in the litter but if you want to keep the rabbit for yourself or for a show buyer then I would tell the person on the waiting list that they will need to wait until the next litter as there are no pet quality kits available

 

[Prisma]

I understand picking out the pets and not selling them with pedigrees or to people who want to breed and having different prices reflecting that (I sell my other purpose rabbits cheaper than breeding/show prospects on a first come first serve basis; no early deposits as babies can develop issues and even die leaving you to have to explain and deal with a very upset customer), however farther than that I don't. I mark the prices, post the rabbits, and let buyers choose. I accept deposits on ones I've posted on a limited basis, if I know or have seen the buyer on boards for rabbits or they're referred to me I will do deposits but if I don't know them at all or they know nothing about unexpected issues coming up with animals in general and return of deposit having to be a must I don't in other words. If I do not like the buyer for whatever reason, I politely refuse to sell to them at all and end all communication. If you have a problem with some one, don't string them along. Not every one likes the looks of a "pet" quality pick nor a "show" quality pick for some one who is just getting a companion so only offering "pet" quality to ones wanting companions may be cutting your own throat. If they want that nicer looking rabbit, you're willing to sell to them, they are willing to pay the price and seem like good people as far as care/etc goes, then should make the sale.

Explain to them your pricing differences and show them the rabbits, let your customers pick them. If you have pretty ones they like that are your idea of "show/brood" but don't tell them, they won't be too happy. It may require you to do some explaining as far as breed SOP and show rules go for some.

 

[oakhollow]

The easy answer is to wait until the kits are older if you are hoping to keep a show prospect. I didn't decide on potential keepers until about 6 weeks. I didn't advertise until I had done my picking. If someone puts a deposit on a particular bunny, I have committed to selling them that bunny, I don't get to turn around and tell them they can't have it because it is too nice of a bunny. It becomes a lesson to not let people pick a bunny until I choose any keepers.