Heritage Homestead
Well-known member
Okay, I also wrote this up for my website. What do you think?
Thanks!
Questions To Ask Breeders and Things To Look For
These are the things I check for and questions I ask when I am looking to buy a rabbit.
· Keep an eye out as the seller shows you the rabbit. Is the breeder’s setup clean and well kept? Keep an eye out for any snotty noses and listen for sneezing or other signs of illnesses. If there are signs in one rabbit the greater the chance the one you are looking at is perhaps sick as well.
· Is the rabbit you are looking at alert? You don’t want one that just sits there looking listless.
· Is it friendly? A rabbit that is hostile will be hard to manage.
· Check conformation- whether for show, meat, or as a pet you of course want one that closely matches the standard for the overall health of the rabbit.
Other things to check are:
· Ears- Make sure they are clean and that there is no sign of ear mites.
· Eyes- Eyes should be clear and alert.
· Nose- it should be clean and have no signs of snot.
· Front Paws- Make sure they are not dirty from where a snotty nosed rabbit was wiping its nose.
· Back Legs- Flip the rabbit over and check their hind legs. They should be fairly parallel. Legs pulled in making a V is the result of pinched hindquarters.
· Coat- The coat should be nice and shiny. If it is for showing make sure it matches standard. Example: A solid rabbit should not have a lot of white hairs or a patch of them.
· Nails- should not be too long, but trimmed. This does not make or break a deal for me, but it is an affirmation that the breeder takes care of their rabbits. Also, solid colored rabbits should have all colored nails. No white ones as that means disqualification at shows.
· Teeth- Make sure they are nice and straight and fit together well.
· If you are looking at the rabbit away from the other rabbits, ask the breeder if it would be all right if you could look around at their other rabbits, especially the parents or siblings of the rabbit you are looking at if they have them. Most breeders like showing off their other rabbits. If a breeder kindly refuses your request it is not necessarily suspicious. I know breeders who have closed rabbitries for only the best of reasons.
I was originally nervous about expressing concerns about a rabbit or looking a rabbit over despite the assurance of a breeder. I was afraid of insulting them if they thought I did not trust them. Foolish fear
If you are like me in this, don’t be! You’re buying the rabbit and have the right to ask as many questions about it that you like and look at it all you want. If a breeder does not like it or does not want to answer a perfectly reasonable question- go find another breeder.
Also, please be open to the breeder asking you questions as well. We love all our rabbits and we want to make sure they get a good home. That is more important than the money made.
Overall buying a rabbit should be a good experience for you, the breeder, and the rabbit.
Have fun, and don’t go with anything you are not comfortable with!
Thanks!
Questions To Ask Breeders and Things To Look For
These are the things I check for and questions I ask when I am looking to buy a rabbit.
· Keep an eye out as the seller shows you the rabbit. Is the breeder’s setup clean and well kept? Keep an eye out for any snotty noses and listen for sneezing or other signs of illnesses. If there are signs in one rabbit the greater the chance the one you are looking at is perhaps sick as well.
· Is the rabbit you are looking at alert? You don’t want one that just sits there looking listless.
· Is it friendly? A rabbit that is hostile will be hard to manage.
· Check conformation- whether for show, meat, or as a pet you of course want one that closely matches the standard for the overall health of the rabbit.
Other things to check are:
· Ears- Make sure they are clean and that there is no sign of ear mites.
· Eyes- Eyes should be clear and alert.
· Nose- it should be clean and have no signs of snot.
· Front Paws- Make sure they are not dirty from where a snotty nosed rabbit was wiping its nose.
· Back Legs- Flip the rabbit over and check their hind legs. They should be fairly parallel. Legs pulled in making a V is the result of pinched hindquarters.
· Coat- The coat should be nice and shiny. If it is for showing make sure it matches standard. Example: A solid rabbit should not have a lot of white hairs or a patch of them.
· Nails- should not be too long, but trimmed. This does not make or break a deal for me, but it is an affirmation that the breeder takes care of their rabbits. Also, solid colored rabbits should have all colored nails. No white ones as that means disqualification at shows.
· Teeth- Make sure they are nice and straight and fit together well.
· If you are looking at the rabbit away from the other rabbits, ask the breeder if it would be all right if you could look around at their other rabbits, especially the parents or siblings of the rabbit you are looking at if they have them. Most breeders like showing off their other rabbits. If a breeder kindly refuses your request it is not necessarily suspicious. I know breeders who have closed rabbitries for only the best of reasons.
I was originally nervous about expressing concerns about a rabbit or looking a rabbit over despite the assurance of a breeder. I was afraid of insulting them if they thought I did not trust them. Foolish fear
If you are like me in this, don’t be! You’re buying the rabbit and have the right to ask as many questions about it that you like and look at it all you want. If a breeder does not like it or does not want to answer a perfectly reasonable question- go find another breeder.
Also, please be open to the breeder asking you questions as well. We love all our rabbits and we want to make sure they get a good home. That is more important than the money made.
Overall buying a rabbit should be a good experience for you, the breeder, and the rabbit.
Have fun, and don’t go with anything you are not comfortable with!
