Who here is active in the ARBA?

[golden rabbitry]

When I started breeding I was 12 and this website was my main resource. I am now 18, well established, the youth director for my national club, judging showmanship, and skipped ahead into showing in open and placed well at convention. It's crazy on how many rabbit breeders are unaware of the ARBA and just joining helped me improve my bloodlines and gave me such a strong community. I'm curious on who here is also actively showing? I feel like there are a lot of backyard breeders here, that's where I started and this site had the most. Granted that was a few years ago

 

[Alaska Satin]

When I started breeding I was 12 and this website was my main resource. I am now 18, well established, the youth director for my national club, judging showmanship, and skipped ahead into showing in open and placed well at convention. It's crazy on how many rabbit breeders are unaware of the ARBA and just joining helped me improve my bloodlines and gave me such a strong community. I'm curious on who here is also actively showing? I feel like there are a lot of backyard breeders here, that's where I started and this site had the most. Granted that was a few years ago

I've been an ARBA member off and on since the 1970s, when I was a teen in SoCal raising and showing red satins. Latest membership started in 2011.
There is a surprisingly active rabbit community in AK, and although there are only two local rabbit clubs in the state, there is a show every 2-3 months, either here in Southcentral or in the Interior (Fairbanks area). We have two local judges, with five more of us in various stages of registrar or judges qualifications. We have an active youth program and have Youth sanctioned shows with about half of our Open shows.
We usually fly up at least 2 judges for each show, and without fail, they all comment on how surprised they are at the quality of rabbits here, given the remoteness and expense of flying up breeding stock. It's too expensive to travel to the Lower 48 to the Conventions for me (our rabbits have to pay for themselves and our show expenses). But I actually just sent my first rabbit down with a friend to the Convention in Reno: a Satin senior black buck, who came home with the blue in his class. Very satisfying.
I absolutely love the challenge of breeding to the Standard, and knowing and interacting with the great group of breeders/showmen up here. That said, there are about a hundred other ways rabbits can be satisfying without ever setting foot in a showroom or reading the SOP. I've never really cared for the term "backyard breeder" as it always seems to be used in a slightly derogatory way. All of my Grand Champions and BIS rabbits were raised in my backyard!

 

[RabbitsOfTheCreek]

My and my mom are in it. We have 3 breeding Bucks, them and one more being show Bucks. We have three breeding Does and might replace two of them soon
We haven't had a show in a little bit and the next one probably isn't till February :/

 

[MnCanary]

I try to breed my rabbits toward the breed standard, but I don't show my rabbits. I found that the ARBA was mostly for people that show rabbits, and certifying judges and shows. ARBA does a lot of good, but doesn't have much to offer people that don't show their rabbits.

I do belong to my national breed club.

 

[ladysown]

i show off and on. Currently am a member. Part of a club.

 

[GriffinBun101]

I would consider myself a fairly active ARBA member, and I show competitively at sanctioned shows with my rabbits

 

[Zee-Man]

Yes, it only takes a little google-fu to look something up.... It is still a pet peve of mine when folks assume everyone knows what an acronym means.

I think it grand that there are folks here who are members of the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA). I think I will look into membership.

 

[kusanar314]

Yes, it only takes a little google-fu to look something up.... It is still a pet peve of mine when folks assume everyone knows what an acronym means.

I think it grand that there are folks here who are members of the American Rabbit Breeders Association (ARBA). I think I will look into membership.

While I do agree that assuming people know what an acronym means, in this context, if you don't know what it means, you likely aren't active in it... so that kind of answers the question on it's own.

 

[Graceful Rabbitry]

I am not a member in ARBA heard I am still able to show in their shows wondering if that’s still true. I will most likely be a member when there is a show. But just wondering if there is a show before that.

 

[Olbunny]

We are not members. But thankful for their contribution to rabbitry. I do read their information. Was great resource when we restarted our rabbitry. We have been line breeding our New Zealand black does and Californian buck. We generally breed for size, good mothers n buck, large litters of 8 plus, good attitude is in there somewhere, good habits like keeping pens clean.
We have come into a blue color that is beautiful and thick. Our new little buck stays outside with a wind block. But still likes to sit outside his box n check out the world. Has frost all over his face. He's great with the kids to. We have 2 new does. As stated by satin our rabbits have to cover their costs, working stock. They both are blue too. Just happen to be the class act in the litter. And proving up well. Appear very sturdy. Been-20--25 for over a week. They still sit out of their boxes quite a bit . And are putting on weight good. Will be ready for breeding season. We expect 8 kits per litter minimum. That will average out at 5# in 12 weeks. They can do 4 litters a summer. That's near near 125 kits per season. 2-1/2# pounds per kit. Near 300 pounds of hormone n steroid free meat. And a great teacher for our grandkids. We have 3 with us and love it, watching them interact. All part of why we enjoy our rabbitry. And hopefully I will be mulching n selling quality rabbit manure. Another way for kids to learn responsibilities. Sooooo cool.
Hey Merry Christmas bunnies. And a happy new year for all. Thanks for all you do

 

[Sapphire16]

I am not a member in ARBA heard I am still able to show in their shows wondering if that’s still true. I will most likely be a member when there is a show. But just wondering if there is a show before that.

Yes you can show but have to be an ARBA member to get legs and put in for a championship after 3 legs. It is not expensive and you get alot of really usable information with the ARBA SOP (Standard of Perfection) book of all breeds in ARBA, also so much other helpful informaiton. I highly recommend the breed specific memberships. For our Rex we joined The National Rex Rabbit Club. Membership books are invaluable plus a periodical magazine of current shows and breed informaiton.

 

[Alaska Satin]

Yes you can show but have to be an ARBA member to get legs and put in for a championship after 3 legs.

I agree that an ARBA membership is very worthwhile, but your rabbit will get Grand Champion legs it earns at a show whether or not you are an ARBA member - it's the rabbit that earns them. You do need to be an ARBA member to get that rabbit registered with the ARBA, which you need to do to get a certificate of Grand Champion from the ARBA once the rabbit earns 3 GC legs from at least two different judges.

It is not expensive and you get alot of really usable information with the ARBA SOP (Standard of Perfection) book of all breeds in ARBA, also so much other helpful informaiton.

You don't actually get the Standard of Perfection with an ARBA membership; you'll need to buy it separately from the ARBA (it's $23 plus shipping). What you do get with a membership is the guide book "Raising Better Rabbits" plus a subsrciption to the great full-color bi-monthly magazine Domestic Rabbits.

 

[Sapphire16]

I agree that an ARBA membership is very worthwhile, but your rabbit will get Grand Champion legs it earns at a show whether or not you are an ARBA member - it's the rabbit that earns them. You do need to be an ARBA member to get that rabbit registered with the ARBA, which you need to do to get a certificate of Grand Champion from the ARBA once the rabbit earns 3 GC legs from at least two different judges.

You don't actually get the Standard of Perfection with an ARBA membership; you'll need to buy it separately from the ARBA (it's $23 plus shipping). What you do get with a membership is the guide book "Raising Better Rabbits" plus a subsrciption to the great full-color bi-monthly magazine Domestic Rabbits.

Thanks for the clarification Alaska!

 

[Kountrysidegirl]

I am an ARBA member and my rabbitry is also registered (Mythos Rabbitry)

 

[hotzcatz]

Off and on ARBA member. We have about zero rabbit shows in the past few years (even before Covid) and being an island, it's too expensive to go to any shows off island. Plus the passenger airlines won't transport rabbits so the buns have to fly cargo and then I have to go pick them up at the cargo airline. Just another hassle and expense so the buns don't go to shows. I do try to breed to the Standards of Perfection, although I'll choose healthy and wool quality (angora rabbits, after all) over ear carriage any time.

 

[Alaska Satin]

Off and on ARBA member. We have about zero rabbit shows in the past few years (even before Covid) and being an island, it's too expensive to go to any shows off island. Plus the passenger airlines won't transport rabbits so the buns have to fly cargo and then I have to go pick them up at the cargo airline. Just another hassle and expense so the buns don't go to shows. I do try to breed to the Standards of Perfection, although I'll choose healthy and wool quality (angora rabbits, after all) over ear carriage any time.

Most angora breeders feel the same - in English angoras, wool and color are worth 62 out of 100 points, while ears are 5 points...and some of that involves the tassles (wool) on the ears! I've never seen an angora placed either higher or lower because of its ear carriage - it's all about the wool. I think the points on body (15), head (5), eyes (2), feet & legs (5 - also calling for good quality wool) etc, are directed more towards the end of having a sound, healthy rabbit...to carry outstanding wool.

Ditto that on expense of traveling to shows. I'm grateful we have a good group willing to put on our own shows up here, since travel from AK is as bad or worse than travel from HI. At least AK Air will take rabbits as checked baggage, at significant expense, of course. Even sending one rabbit down to the 2022 ARBA Convention with someone else who could afford to go, cost me nearly $100. (My rabbits did well this year, and I produced an especially nice buck, so I splurged.)

 

[rockyhillrabbits]

Me and hubby are both members. I was a member a few years ago and we registered our rabbitry recently. Planning on joining the Rex club and the Flemish Giant club and possibly becoming members of a couple locallish clubs. Our closest show is 45 minutes away but they do one show a year.
The rest are overnight shows in northwest Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky, etc. For us, the hotels and gas will be the most expensive part of showing. Well, also buying carriers, paying someone to watch my other rabbits because I can't depend on family.
We are trying to plan out our show season. It's hard because hubby is only home on weekends and I know he won't want to waste his weekend showing rabbits so I think I have one planned for February, one in late March, maybe April then that's it right now. I know a breeder who is at a different show, in different states nearly every weekend. We have too much going on to show like that. We still have a lot to learn about showing.

 

[Sapphire16]

Me and hubby are both members. I was a member a few years ago and we registered our rabbitry recently. Planning on joining the Rex club and the Flemish Giant club and possibly becoming members of a couple locallish clubs. Our closest show is 45 minutes away but they do one show a year.
The rest are overnight shows in northwest Arkansas, Louisiana, Kentucky, etc. For us, the hotels and gas will be the most expensive part of showing. Well, also buying carriers, paying someone to watch my other rabbits because I can't depend on family.
We are trying to plan out our show season. It's hard because hubby is only home on weekends and I know he won't want to waste his weekend showing rabbits so I think I have one planned for February, one in late March, maybe April then that's it right now. I know a breeder who is at a different show, in different states nearly every weekend. We have too much going on to show like that. We still have a lot to learn about showing.

Some people go to all kinds of shows, very serious about it, but many people show around closer to their own local area. It is really good for kids but can get boring too. Many shows will have 2 or even 3 in one day so your buns can be judged by different judges and it is all in a one or two day session.

 

[BuffBrahmaBantam]

I am not a member of ARBA but appreciate the work that is done by such organizations to standardize or improve animal genetics. If I had more time, I would consider joining and going to shows….perhaps I will someday when I retire.

 

[Alaska Satin]

I am not a member of ARBA but appreciate the work that is done by such organizations to standardize or improve animal genetics. If I had more time, I would consider joining and going to shows….perhaps I will someday when I retire.

You might think about joining anyway, even if you can't/don't show. There's no time obligation for membership at all - no meetings or anything - and you will get a nice guidebook to rabbit raising, plus a truly excellent (and beautiful) color bi-monthly magazine with articles on just about every topic you can think of relating to rabbits, from breeds to breeding to health issues to recipes. You can see more here: Home

The other reason is that, while the membership fee is not large - a single annual membership is only $20 - it helps support the social and political work the ARBA is doing to protect rabbit raising from well-intentioned but ignorant and/or politically correct attacks from all sides, including groups like PETA, overzealous city planners and other "Karens." In addition, the ARBA is working with federal, state and local health and veterinary organizations to help them understand the RHVD problem, bringing the unique perspective of rabbit breeders to the table and focusing on solving the problem, rather than letting it become a reason used to shut down the industry/hobby.