The Nature Trail Rabbitry BLOG
Wednesday, November 30, 2005
Maturation
I have several different rates of maturation in my barn. Learning which lines mature when has been a huge eye-opener for me. And it has helped me cull my herd more accurately. But it's also something I still struggle with (it's that darn "patience" thing again!)
One type of rabbit in my barn is a Roman Candle. This type matures early, around 3 1/2 to 4 months, and has a great run on the table as a junior. But as he or she turns senior, the body continues to lengthen and/or it continues to grow and before you know it, it's no longer worthy of the show table. Or maybe it doesn't sprout length, but it just continues to look like a junior always, never getting a mature look or having a competitive weight. Sure, you can grand a 2.12 buck or a 2.08 doe, but it's going to happen less often.
Another type of rabbit in my barn is the Late Bloomer. Yes, everyone told me to keep my rabbits longer before culling them. But when I first started out, I operated more out of the fear of getting stuck with a non-show quality rabbit that I couldn't pet out than out of the fear that I would pet out a show-quality rabbit.
Well, as luck would have it, I got a little behind in petting out a litter once. Time marched on before I got around to moving it out (except for one brother, if I recall correctly). I found a show quality rabbit just before I labeled the rest as pets (that one would be GC The Nature Trail's LaForge), but one by one, each member of the litter blossomed and it turned out that there were no pets in the litter of six (except the one I petted out too soon, of course).
Later, I had a very ugly litter out of the same sire. These are a variety of the Late Bloomers we should call the Ugly Ducklings. Early on, I decided these very ugly pre-juniors were very definitely pets. Even my husband commented on how there were no keepers in that litter. "Yes," I laughed, "you are so right." But within the span of a week, the heads popped on them and they turned into beautiful swans. I kept Boris from that litter. The fact that I had given him an ugly name is testimony to my belief that he was not a keeper. I also have his sister Natasha. I have heard back from the owners of Rocky and Bullwinkle, and they seem pleased with them, too.
I prefer Late Bloomers to Roman Candles, but the next category is my favorite. Unfortunately, I have precious few of them, but I intend to keep working until more of my barn is like this next category I'll call Pearls. You may have to open a lot of oysters to get a pearl, but you can tell as soon as you open it that you have something worthwhile.
I remember my first Pearl vividly. At three weeks old, I saw her pop out of her nest box, walk to the front, and pose perfectly with an air that said, "Look at me world; I have arrived." She never went through the uglies. She was ready to show at 3 1/2 months. In fact, she won her first BOS at that age. She continued to show well as she became a senior. No hitches, no guess work, no sprouting length, no weight problems up or down. She's GC The Nature Trail's May with a BIS and a 7th place BSD at Convention 2005 to her credit.
Although I hope for more Pearls as I continue to refine my line and consolidate my gene pool, I will also make Late Bloomers a huge part of my rabbitry. Debbie Vigue once wrote to me, "quick to grow, quick to pass, long to grow, long to last." I don't know if that's a well established saying in Holllands, but if it's not, it should be. I definitely want rabbits "long to last."
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun ¶ 9:51 AM 0 comments links to this post
One type of rabbit in my barn is a Roman Candle. This type matures early, around 3 1/2 to 4 months, and has a great run on the table as a junior. But as he or she turns senior, the body continues to lengthen and/or it continues to grow and before you know it, it's no longer worthy of the show table. Or maybe it doesn't sprout length, but it just continues to look like a junior always, never getting a mature look or having a competitive weight. Sure, you can grand a 2.12 buck or a 2.08 doe, but it's going to happen less often.
Another type of rabbit in my barn is the Late Bloomer. Yes, everyone told me to keep my rabbits longer before culling them. But when I first started out, I operated more out of the fear of getting stuck with a non-show quality rabbit that I couldn't pet out than out of the fear that I would pet out a show-quality rabbit.
Well, as luck would have it, I got a little behind in petting out a litter once. Time marched on before I got around to moving it out (except for one brother, if I recall correctly). I found a show quality rabbit just before I labeled the rest as pets (that one would be GC The Nature Trail's LaForge), but one by one, each member of the litter blossomed and it turned out that there were no pets in the litter of six (except the one I petted out too soon, of course).
Later, I had a very ugly litter out of the same sire. These are a variety of the Late Bloomers we should call the Ugly Ducklings. Early on, I decided these very ugly pre-juniors were very definitely pets. Even my husband commented on how there were no keepers in that litter. "Yes," I laughed, "you are so right." But within the span of a week, the heads popped on them and they turned into beautiful swans. I kept Boris from that litter. The fact that I had given him an ugly name is testimony to my belief that he was not a keeper. I also have his sister Natasha. I have heard back from the owners of Rocky and Bullwinkle, and they seem pleased with them, too.
I prefer Late Bloomers to Roman Candles, but the next category is my favorite. Unfortunately, I have precious few of them, but I intend to keep working until more of my barn is like this next category I'll call Pearls. You may have to open a lot of oysters to get a pearl, but you can tell as soon as you open it that you have something worthwhile.
I remember my first Pearl vividly. At three weeks old, I saw her pop out of her nest box, walk to the front, and pose perfectly with an air that said, "Look at me world; I have arrived." She never went through the uglies. She was ready to show at 3 1/2 months. In fact, she won her first BOS at that age. She continued to show well as she became a senior. No hitches, no guess work, no sprouting length, no weight problems up or down. She's GC The Nature Trail's May with a BIS and a 7th place BSD at Convention 2005 to her credit.
Although I hope for more Pearls as I continue to refine my line and consolidate my gene pool, I will also make Late Bloomers a huge part of my rabbitry. Debbie Vigue once wrote to me, "quick to grow, quick to pass, long to grow, long to last." I don't know if that's a well established saying in Holllands, but if it's not, it should be. I definitely want rabbits "long to last."
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun ¶ 9:51 AM 0 comments links to this post
Tuesday, November 29, 2005
Competitiveness
I spent over 14 weeks in Peru in 1989-1990. It was an amazing experience and I learned to love the Peruvian people, their culture, and their beautiful dialect. Peruvians are a wonderful, artistic people who especially love children. They are descended from Europeans (especially German), los indios (who descended from the Incas), and the Japanese. Although virtually every Peruvian has Indian ancestors, to have a European ancestry is often a matter of pride. It's a curious attitude often held that "my" shade of skin is white (whatever that shade happens to be), but that anyone darker is Indian.
I wonder if we have a similar attitude operating in rabbits. Not with skin color, of course, but with competitiveness. Something like, "Whatever my level of competitiveness is, is okay, but anyone more competitive is excessive." Since we can only really deal with our own competitiveness, it's is only important to ask ourselves whether our own level is excessive (or perhaps whether we fault people for a level of competitiveness that should be acceptable in a hobby with a large competition component).
There are people who can enjoy rabbits for years on end without being really competitive. Perhaps they enjoy serving on committees or organizing shows. Maybe they like the travel or perhaps Hollands are not their main breed. Maybe their long-term goals are to become a registrar and then a judge. It's great that people can enjoy raising and showing rabbits without the need to be competitive at all. But I hope those people will not condemn those who enjoy the challenge of the competition, and the satisfaction and the acknowledgement of success.
At the other end of the spectrum, there are some who are too competitive. They can suck the life out of a show or even a region. Legitimate concerns are labeled as "petty" or "jealousy." Sure they consider showing rabbits to be about fun and friendship, but they are most concerned with their fun and limit their friendship to a precious few.
I can't say exactly where the happy medium lies. But I do think that a periodic internal check-up could help. I know that I am personally due for an internal tune-up. So here is a little exercise we can do together to help us think a little more about competitiveness and decide who we want to be in the future.
Below are some statements concerning competitiveness. Decide whether the statement illustrates excessive competitiveness or an overly negative view of legitimate competitiveness. And then decide whether the statement applies to you. I'll be doing the same.
I wonder if we have a similar attitude operating in rabbits. Not with skin color, of course, but with competitiveness. Something like, "Whatever my level of competitiveness is, is okay, but anyone more competitive is excessive." Since we can only really deal with our own competitiveness, it's is only important to ask ourselves whether our own level is excessive (or perhaps whether we fault people for a level of competitiveness that should be acceptable in a hobby with a large competition component).
There are people who can enjoy rabbits for years on end without being really competitive. Perhaps they enjoy serving on committees or organizing shows. Maybe they like the travel or perhaps Hollands are not their main breed. Maybe their long-term goals are to become a registrar and then a judge. It's great that people can enjoy raising and showing rabbits without the need to be competitive at all. But I hope those people will not condemn those who enjoy the challenge of the competition, and the satisfaction and the acknowledgement of success.
At the other end of the spectrum, there are some who are too competitive. They can suck the life out of a show or even a region. Legitimate concerns are labeled as "petty" or "jealousy." Sure they consider showing rabbits to be about fun and friendship, but they are most concerned with their fun and limit their friendship to a precious few.
I can't say exactly where the happy medium lies. But I do think that a periodic internal check-up could help. I know that I am personally due for an internal tune-up. So here is a little exercise we can do together to help us think a little more about competitiveness and decide who we want to be in the future.
Below are some statements concerning competitiveness. Decide whether the statement illustrates excessive competitiveness or an overly negative view of legitimate competitiveness. And then decide whether the statement applies to you. I'll be doing the same.
- I do not want successful breeders to sell good rabbits to the competitors in my local area
- If my rabbits do not win, there is usually a reason such as a poor Holland judge or someone bought a great rabbit at Convention
- I only feel joy in other people's wins if those people are my closest friends
- I only have a successful show if I win BIS or at least BOB
- Anyone who cares whether or not they win is too competitive for me
- I can use any means to win as long as no one can accuse me of breaking a rule - if others want to win, they can just do the same things
- I get angry when I lose
- I try to get superintendents to choose judges who choose my rabbits
- It is not my concern whether other people can enjoy the competition
- I sell my best rabbits outside of my local area of competition
- I send my rabbits to local and regional shows that I cannot or do not want to attend
- It is equally important to breed the best rabbits I can and to keep good rabbits out of the hands of my competitors
- I would rather send a rabbit to be processed or pet it out than allow others to benefit from my hard work
- Sweepstakes points have no meaning at all and anyone who cares about them is obviously overly competitive
- I spend too much of my family's income on rabbits
- I only go to shows if I can win
- I keep my methods secret - they are my edge in winning
- I enjoy seeing certain people lose
There's no scoring guide for the statements. The benefit of the list is equal to level of honesty we evaluate the statements with, the amount of thought that we put into them, and any change in behavior you and I make.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbits, and Rabbit Fun
Monday, November 28, 2005
That Long Drive To The Show
I enjoy sharing a ride to a show. I only have to say "gas prices" to cover one big reason. But company and conversation is another big reason. I love to talk about rabbits, especially with folks who aren't looking at their watches or saying, "not rabbits again!"
My husband and I took our teenager Sarah and her friend Aaron to Pizza Inn on Saturday. Aaron talked about swim meets and I talked a bit about rabbits. Sarah rolled her eyes and gave me the "really, mom, do you have to" kind of look. Yes, talking with the family about rabbits just isn't that satisfying.
When I travel to shows, I'm more likely to hear, "I know exactly what you mean, I had this rabbit that . . . "
I'm looking forward to my trip on Friday. My friend Alison and I haven't traveled together for a long time (she took a 5-month break from rabbits - what was she thinking!!!!!) I'm sure we'll find plenty to talk about - breeding, cages, show schedules, fitting rabbits into busy lives. We'll be there in no time at all.
I also have come to enjoy driving to shows with just one of my children. Having four kids makes one-on-one time all too rare. My youngest chats away and tells me about favorite cartoon characters or stories she's heard. Every now and then she asks me if she's talking too much. She doesn't chat like this at home so it is a pleasure just to listen to her.
Until this past year, the thought of making long trips alone actually terrified me. I was afraid I would fall asleep at the wheel or get lost or have a wreck. I still worry about having car trouble and I haven't yet gotten a cell phone (I know, I know, I really need one). If you had said to me this time last year that I would actually like traveling alone, I wouldn't have believed it.
But what I find is that in the quiet time in the car, my mind is free to wander and plan and think. Of course, I'm mostly thinking about rabbits. Which to breed to which. What chores need to be done. Which shows to attend. Which rabbits need to be granded or registered. Which rabbits I'm holding on to that should be sold. And on and on and on and on.
Of course, I don't just sit around and think (though I may do so for hours at a time). No sir. I'm starting to get the hang of where the good radio stations are down the I-77, I-85, and I-40 corridors. I know where some of the NPR gaps are in West Virginia now. And I've become a huge fan of the Prairie Home Companion, which airs on Saturday nights on the way home from rabbit shows. I was raised Lutheran, so I can relate to many of the subtle Lutheran comments on the show. That really makes an hour pass by quickly.
It's nice that I've come to enjoy the car rides to and from shows. Otherwise, I would have a large chunk of my hobby that I dreaded. Instead, I'm humming that Willie Nelson tune in my head, "On the road again, I just can't wait to get on the road again . . . "
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun ¶ 9:33 AM 0 comments links to this post
My husband and I took our teenager Sarah and her friend Aaron to Pizza Inn on Saturday. Aaron talked about swim meets and I talked a bit about rabbits. Sarah rolled her eyes and gave me the "really, mom, do you have to" kind of look. Yes, talking with the family about rabbits just isn't that satisfying.
When I travel to shows, I'm more likely to hear, "I know exactly what you mean, I had this rabbit that . . . "
I'm looking forward to my trip on Friday. My friend Alison and I haven't traveled together for a long time (she took a 5-month break from rabbits - what was she thinking!!!!!) I'm sure we'll find plenty to talk about - breeding, cages, show schedules, fitting rabbits into busy lives. We'll be there in no time at all.
I also have come to enjoy driving to shows with just one of my children. Having four kids makes one-on-one time all too rare. My youngest chats away and tells me about favorite cartoon characters or stories she's heard. Every now and then she asks me if she's talking too much. She doesn't chat like this at home so it is a pleasure just to listen to her.
Until this past year, the thought of making long trips alone actually terrified me. I was afraid I would fall asleep at the wheel or get lost or have a wreck. I still worry about having car trouble and I haven't yet gotten a cell phone (I know, I know, I really need one). If you had said to me this time last year that I would actually like traveling alone, I wouldn't have believed it.
But what I find is that in the quiet time in the car, my mind is free to wander and plan and think. Of course, I'm mostly thinking about rabbits. Which to breed to which. What chores need to be done. Which shows to attend. Which rabbits need to be granded or registered. Which rabbits I'm holding on to that should be sold. And on and on and on and on.
Of course, I don't just sit around and think (though I may do so for hours at a time). No sir. I'm starting to get the hang of where the good radio stations are down the I-77, I-85, and I-40 corridors. I know where some of the NPR gaps are in West Virginia now. And I've become a huge fan of the Prairie Home Companion, which airs on Saturday nights on the way home from rabbit shows. I was raised Lutheran, so I can relate to many of the subtle Lutheran comments on the show. That really makes an hour pass by quickly.
It's nice that I've come to enjoy the car rides to and from shows. Otherwise, I would have a large chunk of my hobby that I dreaded. Instead, I'm humming that Willie Nelson tune in my head, "On the road again, I just can't wait to get on the road again . . . "
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun ¶ 9:33 AM 0 comments links to this post
Sunday, November 27, 2005
Speed and Showing
When I talk with some exhibitors and show sponsors, I sometimes get the feeling that speed is their most important criteria. As long as the show raps up at 3:30, they are happy. If a judge can get through 250 to 350 rabbits in six hours, they've done well.
I'm not comfortable with that approach. Speed is just not my first criteria. I come to enjoy my day and get some useful feedback on my rabbits. I don't want the evaluation of my rabbit and the comments so abbreviated that they are not helpful. I hope to do well on the table, but I will always have more rabbits that do not earn a leg than those who do. For the rest, I want to learn something in exchange for my entry fee.
What's the value of a rabbit show if the judge rushes past good rabbits, fails to find DQ's, and doesn't provide useful feedback to the exhibitors?
Having said that, I don't appreciate shows that drag on for no good reason. I hope that any show I attend will be well organized with a superintendent who keeps breeds cued up and ready to go (without forgetting to let the judge have a lunch!). I like to see exhibitors get their rabbits on and off the table in a timely manner, too.
We've all missed the mark from time to time. I get to talking and enjoying myself too much sometimes and need a little extra loud call to get my attention. And we all have to sneak off to the bathroom from time to time (okay, at least we gals do)! But I keep trying to keep my ears open and stay in the game.
I haven't yet served as a superintendent at a show. But it seems to be a pretty thankless job. If all goes well, the superintendent is fairly invisible, moving around the showroom, helping things go smoothly. Most exhibitors probably go home without much thought to all of the hard work the superintendent did to be so invisible.
If things do not go well, it is, "of course," the superintendent's fault and everything lands at his or her feet.
I was at a show this year in which a person walked up to the superintendent and said in a sarcastic voice, "I came here to show today, not spend a two-day weekend." It was 12:30 and he had only shown once of the three times he had hoped to show. He had driven five hours to the show and just wanted a refund. I thought his choice in dealing with the issue was poor. There was no need for hostility or sarcasm.
I had seen that club working their collective butts off since 6:30 that morning so that I could come and enjoy my day. They just didn't deserve to be treated like that.
My approach is somewhat different. I had driven a number of hours to the show, too (more than five). But I had cleared my schedule and was planning to take my return trip as it came. That allowed me to relax and not check the clock very often. I had a great time. I really don't think the other person did.
Of course, I love showing and visiting with bunny folks. A rabbit show is the closest thing to heaven on earth for me, so I don't need it to be over too soon (although my feet and back always appreciate the relief of going home). I know not everyone experiences shows in the same way. I have a girlfriend who can't wait to get to rabbit shows, but somewhere during the second show, her enthusiasm is gone and she can't wait to get out of there. I just shake my head! I don't get it.
So, to sum up, I'd like to see judges chosen primarily for their expertise in rabbits and for the fresh opinions they provide (meaning not the same judges every weekend), rather than for their speed in judging. Speed is a bonus only. I plan to continue to do my part in getting my bunnies on and off the table, so that shows can run smoothly. And I hope to never underestimate the hard, thankless job of the show superintendent.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun ¶ 9:37 AM 0 comments links to this post
I'm not comfortable with that approach. Speed is just not my first criteria. I come to enjoy my day and get some useful feedback on my rabbits. I don't want the evaluation of my rabbit and the comments so abbreviated that they are not helpful. I hope to do well on the table, but I will always have more rabbits that do not earn a leg than those who do. For the rest, I want to learn something in exchange for my entry fee.
What's the value of a rabbit show if the judge rushes past good rabbits, fails to find DQ's, and doesn't provide useful feedback to the exhibitors?
Having said that, I don't appreciate shows that drag on for no good reason. I hope that any show I attend will be well organized with a superintendent who keeps breeds cued up and ready to go (without forgetting to let the judge have a lunch!). I like to see exhibitors get their rabbits on and off the table in a timely manner, too.
We've all missed the mark from time to time. I get to talking and enjoying myself too much sometimes and need a little extra loud call to get my attention. And we all have to sneak off to the bathroom from time to time (okay, at least we gals do)! But I keep trying to keep my ears open and stay in the game.
I haven't yet served as a superintendent at a show. But it seems to be a pretty thankless job. If all goes well, the superintendent is fairly invisible, moving around the showroom, helping things go smoothly. Most exhibitors probably go home without much thought to all of the hard work the superintendent did to be so invisible.
If things do not go well, it is, "of course," the superintendent's fault and everything lands at his or her feet.
I was at a show this year in which a person walked up to the superintendent and said in a sarcastic voice, "I came here to show today, not spend a two-day weekend." It was 12:30 and he had only shown once of the three times he had hoped to show. He had driven five hours to the show and just wanted a refund. I thought his choice in dealing with the issue was poor. There was no need for hostility or sarcasm.
I had seen that club working their collective butts off since 6:30 that morning so that I could come and enjoy my day. They just didn't deserve to be treated like that.
My approach is somewhat different. I had driven a number of hours to the show, too (more than five). But I had cleared my schedule and was planning to take my return trip as it came. That allowed me to relax and not check the clock very often. I had a great time. I really don't think the other person did.
Of course, I love showing and visiting with bunny folks. A rabbit show is the closest thing to heaven on earth for me, so I don't need it to be over too soon (although my feet and back always appreciate the relief of going home). I know not everyone experiences shows in the same way. I have a girlfriend who can't wait to get to rabbit shows, but somewhere during the second show, her enthusiasm is gone and she can't wait to get out of there. I just shake my head! I don't get it.
So, to sum up, I'd like to see judges chosen primarily for their expertise in rabbits and for the fresh opinions they provide (meaning not the same judges every weekend), rather than for their speed in judging. Speed is a bonus only. I plan to continue to do my part in getting my bunnies on and off the table, so that shows can run smoothly. And I hope to never underestimate the hard, thankless job of the show superintendent.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun ¶ 9:37 AM 0 comments links to this post
Saturday, November 26, 2005
False Dwarf Kits
False dwarf kits often make themselves known by the time they are three weeks old or so. You can see that some kits are bigger than others. That's not proof positive, but you can start making educated guesses then.
Sometime between three and six weeks old, the bunny's ears will make a tremendous growth. You can see it happen dramatically within the week. If the big bunny's ears are significantly longer than their littermates, that's strike, two.
By the time the litter weans, you can tell when there are two distinct sizes within the litter. That's strike three. A rabbit, larger than its littermates with longer ears, shoulders, and bone, is almost definitely a false dwarf. Now you can just hope that the false dwarfs are does, which can make great brood animals. A false dwarf buck that is exceptional may also be used for breeding. Ordinary quality false dwarf bucks are pets.
I had a visitor to my barn ask me who the dam was in the litter, pointing to the false dwarf among true dwarf siblings. It took me several tries to explain to her that the big one was actually part of the litter and not the mom. The size difference was that dramatic.
What can be harder to judge is a kit from a litter of one, or a litter with several same-sized kits in it. You really can't compare across litters because a small false dwarf in one litter may be the size of the larger true dwarfs in another. And long ears can run in lines, even in the true dwarfs. Those things are best judged by comparing within the litter itself.
By the time a rabbit is two months old, I use the back feet to help me make my best guess about a potential false dwarf. If the back feet are twice as long as wide, it is likely to be a true dwarf. If the back feet are three times as long as wide, a false dwarf is indicated.
By adulthood, you can be sure that rabbits over 4 1/2 lbs. are always false dwarfs and rabbits under 3 1/2 lbs are true dwarfs. But those around the 4.00 mark can be a lot trickier to identify.
The only way to tell for sure, of course, is by breeding. While most false dwarfs are obvious, I've been surprised by some really large true dwarfs. One was well over 4 lbs., but the peanuts he produced in several different litters were his credentials - he was a true dwarf.
You cannot avoid creating false dwarfs no matter what you do. Even if you only breed true dwarf to true dwarf, you will produce 25% false dwarfs, on the average. It's just a matter of learning how to spot them.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
¶ 10:04 PM 0 comments links to this post
Sometime between three and six weeks old, the bunny's ears will make a tremendous growth. You can see it happen dramatically within the week. If the big bunny's ears are significantly longer than their littermates, that's strike, two.
By the time the litter weans, you can tell when there are two distinct sizes within the litter. That's strike three. A rabbit, larger than its littermates with longer ears, shoulders, and bone, is almost definitely a false dwarf. Now you can just hope that the false dwarfs are does, which can make great brood animals. A false dwarf buck that is exceptional may also be used for breeding. Ordinary quality false dwarf bucks are pets.
I had a visitor to my barn ask me who the dam was in the litter, pointing to the false dwarf among true dwarf siblings. It took me several tries to explain to her that the big one was actually part of the litter and not the mom. The size difference was that dramatic.
What can be harder to judge is a kit from a litter of one, or a litter with several same-sized kits in it. You really can't compare across litters because a small false dwarf in one litter may be the size of the larger true dwarfs in another. And long ears can run in lines, even in the true dwarfs. Those things are best judged by comparing within the litter itself.
By the time a rabbit is two months old, I use the back feet to help me make my best guess about a potential false dwarf. If the back feet are twice as long as wide, it is likely to be a true dwarf. If the back feet are three times as long as wide, a false dwarf is indicated.
By adulthood, you can be sure that rabbits over 4 1/2 lbs. are always false dwarfs and rabbits under 3 1/2 lbs are true dwarfs. But those around the 4.00 mark can be a lot trickier to identify.
The only way to tell for sure, of course, is by breeding. While most false dwarfs are obvious, I've been surprised by some really large true dwarfs. One was well over 4 lbs., but the peanuts he produced in several different litters were his credentials - he was a true dwarf.
You cannot avoid creating false dwarfs no matter what you do. Even if you only breed true dwarf to true dwarf, you will produce 25% false dwarfs, on the average. It's just a matter of learning how to spot them.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
¶ 10:04 PM 0 comments links to this post
Showing In Class
Please do not try to guess who the characters in the story are. You would almost certainly be wrong. And I have officially forgotten their names, so please don't ask.
I once heard a story from a rabbit exhibitor that disturbed me. The exhibitor said that they had suggested to a friend that the friend show a small senior rabbit as a junior. The exhibitor was pleased that the advice had the desired effect and the rabbit was chosen BOB. I can't remember exactly, but it seems that maybe the rabbit also won BIS because whatever the prize was that day, it was highly desirable, and the friend won it.
The friend was very uncomfortable with the win. When I heard the story, I doubted the friend would ever do that again. Winning that way has got to be a hollow victory.
I was trying to think of a delicate way of putting it, but there isn't one. Showing a rabbit out of class on purpose is cheating. There was a junior rabbit there that came in second that should have taken the class. And, if there were five rabbits and three exhibitors, that rabbit was cheated out of a leg as well as the privilege to compete for specials. Maybe the owner of the second place rabbit (the true first place junor) wanted to win the prize, too.
I know a relatively new breeder who showed a rabbit out of class, too. This time, it was on accident and the rabbit was shown as a senior when it should have been shown as a junior. That rabbit came in second. I have more sympathy for a rabbit shown accidentally, but the rabbit should have still been disqualified when the error was discovered. The four rabbits below the junior should have all moved up one step.
It is important to keep track of the ages of your animals. Some computer programs will do that for you, noting if a junior will turn senior before the date of the show. I like to keep lists with the senior date on them. That way I am always aware of which rabbits turn senior when.
It is important for your reputation and your ability to enjoy your hobby that you keep tabs on the ages and never give in to the temptation to show out of class. I have a very small doe that just turned senior. I'm sure she would compete very well as a junior (she just won a BOS), but at 2.08, she'll never compete well as a senior - ever. But there is absolutely no way I would risk my reputation on it. If you do it even once and get caught, your reputation is ruined for good.
I've heard another story in which a person was called down at the show table for showing out of class. It's an embarrassing story to hear. I can't imagine how it was for the people there that day, let alone the one caught in the act. I do believe that person's hobby ended on that day.
Whenever I see the exhibitor who suggested showing out of class, I often wonder about the mature-looking juniors being shown. Now it is possible that that exhibitor has had a change of heart and would never do that. But just supporting a friend to show a rabbit out of class is enough to put the doubt in my mind. It's just not worth it.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
¶ 12:28 PM 0 comments links to this post
I once heard a story from a rabbit exhibitor that disturbed me. The exhibitor said that they had suggested to a friend that the friend show a small senior rabbit as a junior. The exhibitor was pleased that the advice had the desired effect and the rabbit was chosen BOB. I can't remember exactly, but it seems that maybe the rabbit also won BIS because whatever the prize was that day, it was highly desirable, and the friend won it.
The friend was very uncomfortable with the win. When I heard the story, I doubted the friend would ever do that again. Winning that way has got to be a hollow victory.
I was trying to think of a delicate way of putting it, but there isn't one. Showing a rabbit out of class on purpose is cheating. There was a junior rabbit there that came in second that should have taken the class. And, if there were five rabbits and three exhibitors, that rabbit was cheated out of a leg as well as the privilege to compete for specials. Maybe the owner of the second place rabbit (the true first place junor) wanted to win the prize, too.
I know a relatively new breeder who showed a rabbit out of class, too. This time, it was on accident and the rabbit was shown as a senior when it should have been shown as a junior. That rabbit came in second. I have more sympathy for a rabbit shown accidentally, but the rabbit should have still been disqualified when the error was discovered. The four rabbits below the junior should have all moved up one step.
It is important to keep track of the ages of your animals. Some computer programs will do that for you, noting if a junior will turn senior before the date of the show. I like to keep lists with the senior date on them. That way I am always aware of which rabbits turn senior when.
It is important for your reputation and your ability to enjoy your hobby that you keep tabs on the ages and never give in to the temptation to show out of class. I have a very small doe that just turned senior. I'm sure she would compete very well as a junior (she just won a BOS), but at 2.08, she'll never compete well as a senior - ever. But there is absolutely no way I would risk my reputation on it. If you do it even once and get caught, your reputation is ruined for good.
I've heard another story in which a person was called down at the show table for showing out of class. It's an embarrassing story to hear. I can't imagine how it was for the people there that day, let alone the one caught in the act. I do believe that person's hobby ended on that day.
Whenever I see the exhibitor who suggested showing out of class, I often wonder about the mature-looking juniors being shown. Now it is possible that that exhibitor has had a change of heart and would never do that. But just supporting a friend to show a rabbit out of class is enough to put the doubt in my mind. It's just not worth it.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
¶ 12:28 PM 0 comments links to this post
Friday, November 25, 2005
Christmas Shopping
Don't forget to check out the following for your Christmas shopping:
I'll continue to shop the internet as the season goes on, so be sure to stop back by for more ideas.
¶ 1:14 PM 0 comments links to this post
I'll continue to shop the internet as the season goes on, so be sure to stop back by for more ideas.
Laurie
¶ 1:14 PM 0 comments links to this post
I'm An INTJ
If you've ever worked in the corporate world, you've probably taken the Myers-Briggs or a similar test to determine your personality type. You take a short multiple-choice test and then you find out your personality type on four dimensions:
- Introversion-extroversion
- Intuitive-Sensing
- Thinking-Feeling
- Judging-Perceiving
Now I want to make sure you understand up front that none of these dimensions is negative. Each has its strengths and weaknesses. For example, introverted doesn't mean "backwards," but rather that your sense of energy and focus, and the important things, occur inside you. Extroverts get energy from the outside and put a lot of importance on the things that happen "out there." Introverts have less trouble being introspective, but dealing with people, for example, may wear them out. Extroverts thrive on interaction with people, but may have a harder time being alone with their thoughts.
I am an INTJ, meaning I'm introverted, intuitive, thinking, and judging. If you don't particularly care for my personality type, you are in luck. We are probably less than 1% of the population!
You can read about what the INTJ personality type means in full, but in short I project "definiteness," knowing what I know and knowing what I don't know. I am willing to work at relationships, but I have a need for things and people to make sense to me. When it comes to social conventions and rituals, I often don't get it. Remember the no birthday gift thing from a couple of days ago? The most significant part of the INTJ personality, at least in my mind, is that we're the folks who always say, "Why not?" Why can't things be changed? Why can't things go better? What can't we work toward the more ideal? Yes, it can be a little naive at times. But that's who I am.
"Power fascinates the NT. Not power over people, but power over nature. To be able to understand, control, predict, and explain realities. Note these are the four aims of science, control and understanding, prediction and explanation. Scratch an NT, find a scientist. " Any wonder I enjoy trying to create better bunnies?
Different personality types have different strengths and weaknesses. And, different personality profiles mesh better with other profiles, depending on the situation. For example, INTJs make good companions for ESTPs. And an INTP complements an INTJ well (perhaps they should be paired on a committee together, for example). ISFPs have the makings of a good friend for an INTJ.
My former boss Dick and I have non-compatible types. We worked pretty well together most of the time, but there were things about him that just baffled me, and vice versa. For one thing, he's even more of an "i" than I am. I'm very close to the border between introversion and extroversion. I can think out loud, for example, which drove him crazy. Being a very introverted "I," he thought and thought until the first thing he said was his final answer. When I opened my mouth, I was just getting started! When we figured out our types, it made so much sense of the times we had had trouble communicating or appreciating each other's strengths.
So what does this all have to do with rabbits? Well, there are 16 basic personality types and an infinite number of variations. Certain types of people tend to view the world in certain types of ways - and those ways may be very different from others. And yet, we find ourselves all in the same hobby. We work together to plan shows, to put together publications, to formulate and abide by the rules of the club, and to make showing rabbits rewarding for all participants.
When we butt heads with others, I think there is a tendency to see the other point of view as flawed or their way of doing things or thinking about things as inferior. Okay, that just might be what an INTJ would say! Perhaps another personality type would say, whatever is fine with me, which would then infuriate an ENTJ!
If you do not know what your personality type is, take the test and find out. It doesn't take long. It may help you understand why and how you view things (you will be amazed at how well the description fits you). And when you are serving on a committee, planning a show, observing someone handling a problem in a certain way, or are totally baffled by someone's response to a situation, consider the personality types and think about whether something as basic as a personality difference is operating.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
Thursday, November 24, 2005
Thankful
Of course it's Thanksgiving and I'm going to take a few minutes to reflect on what I am thankful for. It's a simple list really.
- I have an absolutely wonderful husband
- I have three great children, oh okay, four great children (I am NOT thankful for the trials of teenagehood, however)
- I have friends who care what happens in my life and I get to see many of them regularly
- My parents are still very active and independent, enjoying their retirement
- I have no debilitating illness and my mind still works most of the time
- I live in the country, out of the hustle and bustle of the city
- The company Andrew works for is still keeping its nose above water, even if barely
- I live in a country that allows free speech, the freedom to worship as I choose, and gives me a say in the government by way of my vote (when I can figure out how to use the voting machine accurately, of course)
- I have a wonderful hobby that keeps me interested and excited, provides me with a sense of challenge and accomplishment, and keeps me always looking forward (yes, that would be rabbits)
- I get to educate my children at home and spend time with them that many other parents must miss out on (of course, there are those parts of having children around 24/7 that other parents get to miss)
Notice how rabbits are on the list of things I'm thankful for, but they're not the first thing. I hope I can always keep my perspective in my hobby. It's so easy to get sucked in to thinking it's more important than it is. Important, yes. The most important thing, not by far.
Within the area of rabbits itself, there are quite a few things that I'm thankful for:
- Andrew helps me with the grunt work of cleaning and hauling
- Gestation is only 31 days - I wouldn't have patience for much more than that
- Rabbits are vegetarians - could you imagine the odor if they weren't?
- It only takes 7 months from the time that a rabbit is born until it can be a parent, and 14 months until it's first grandbunnies are born (see the "patience" comment above)
- I chose one of the lighter breeds of rabbits - those carriers get heavy!
- There are shows in my area every month of the year; I get antsy when more than two weekends pass without a show
- There are other people as crazy about rabbits as I am - which makes me feel more normal and gives me folks to "talk bunnies" with
- I have several show does that have turned out to be great moms, too
- My mini van
- Convention and Nationals allow me to see much more of the country than I ever would have without my hobby
I hope each and every one of you has a wonderful Thanksgiving. We all have so much to be thankful for. And I'm thankful that we have a day set aside just for that purpose.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
¶ 10:38 AM 0 comments links to this post
Wednesday, November 23, 2005
Happy Birthday To Me
I am 44 years old today. Wow. I can't believe that happened so soon. I remember being a child and adding up how old I would be in the year 2000 - 38, turning 39 before the year was up. My impression was that my life would just about be over by then, to be that old. But what I didn't know is that my life would just be beginning at 40 in so many ways.
I dreaded turning 40. I dreaded it openly and actively from the time I was 38. But then when it happened, it was the most freeing thing that had ever happened to me in my life. There's something about being in my 40's that freed me from the expectations of the young. Forty began a time when I could be myself. It's difficult to explain, but it really happened.
And now I'm in my mid-40's. All of a sudden, turning 40 is a thing of my past and I'm giving the occasional thought to turning 50. It's not nearly so scary anymore.
When I turned 30, I was very depressed. Andrew and I had adopted one child, but I wanted a big family. I had wanted to have it when I was young, but things had not worked out that way. I was talking with a nun in California about a set of triplets that we had hoped to adopt. She had just told me that they had died in the cholera epidemic in Peru. She said that I was still young and that things would work out. "Life doesn't begin until you turn 40 anyway," she said. I thought she was very unsympathetic to my feeling that life was running out and that I wasn't where I had wanted to be by then.
As it turned out, we adopted a baby boy shortly thereafter, and another girl when I was 33, and our final child, our daughter Anna who came with me to Nationals, when I was 35. It was a few years later than I had hoped, but we managed to get it all done.
The nun was right about something else, too. Life starts over at 40 in a very wonderful way.
So now I've been enjoying my life-past-40 for 4 years. I find that I think much harder about who I am, who I want to be, and what I want to accomplish in this life. I am less concerned with making money and more concerned with living life. I care less about other people's view of my status and levels of success, and more about friendship and doing the right thing. I don't worry about how unlike a fashion model I am and spend more time thinking about the health of my heart and the nutritional value of my diet (that last one is on hold, however, until after Christmas).
I value the simple things in life so much more than I ever did when I was young. I like the way my daughter's Chihuahua curls up beside me. I love to hear my children laughing because they heard my husband laughing in the next room. I enjoy the view of the mountains from my front door. I love the simple traditions our family has established - like having Dad's cheese dip on Christmas Eve. I enjoy knowing that I have now spent one-half of my life with Andrew.
Now don't feel that you must send happy birthday wishes because I am crowing about it being my birthday. Andrew and I aren't really big on celebrating that sort of thing. Besides, my friend Dani Cole surprised me at Convention with birthday treats. And my friend Doug from Atlanta actually remembered that today was my birthday and sent an email. Andrew doesn't usually give me gifts (and vice versa), but he's cooking a favorite meal and slaved over a hot grocery store checkout counter to get me a frozen key lime pie. So I'm good.
Now you are probably wondering when I'm going to get around to writing about rabbits. Well, I'm not. But I can take a little liberty today. After all, it IS my birthday.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun ¶ 10:02 AM 5 comments links to this post
I dreaded turning 40. I dreaded it openly and actively from the time I was 38. But then when it happened, it was the most freeing thing that had ever happened to me in my life. There's something about being in my 40's that freed me from the expectations of the young. Forty began a time when I could be myself. It's difficult to explain, but it really happened.
And now I'm in my mid-40's. All of a sudden, turning 40 is a thing of my past and I'm giving the occasional thought to turning 50. It's not nearly so scary anymore.
When I turned 30, I was very depressed. Andrew and I had adopted one child, but I wanted a big family. I had wanted to have it when I was young, but things had not worked out that way. I was talking with a nun in California about a set of triplets that we had hoped to adopt. She had just told me that they had died in the cholera epidemic in Peru. She said that I was still young and that things would work out. "Life doesn't begin until you turn 40 anyway," she said. I thought she was very unsympathetic to my feeling that life was running out and that I wasn't where I had wanted to be by then.
As it turned out, we adopted a baby boy shortly thereafter, and another girl when I was 33, and our final child, our daughter Anna who came with me to Nationals, when I was 35. It was a few years later than I had hoped, but we managed to get it all done.
The nun was right about something else, too. Life starts over at 40 in a very wonderful way.
So now I've been enjoying my life-past-40 for 4 years. I find that I think much harder about who I am, who I want to be, and what I want to accomplish in this life. I am less concerned with making money and more concerned with living life. I care less about other people's view of my status and levels of success, and more about friendship and doing the right thing. I don't worry about how unlike a fashion model I am and spend more time thinking about the health of my heart and the nutritional value of my diet (that last one is on hold, however, until after Christmas).
I value the simple things in life so much more than I ever did when I was young. I like the way my daughter's Chihuahua curls up beside me. I love to hear my children laughing because they heard my husband laughing in the next room. I enjoy the view of the mountains from my front door. I love the simple traditions our family has established - like having Dad's cheese dip on Christmas Eve. I enjoy knowing that I have now spent one-half of my life with Andrew.
Now don't feel that you must send happy birthday wishes because I am crowing about it being my birthday. Andrew and I aren't really big on celebrating that sort of thing. Besides, my friend Dani Cole surprised me at Convention with birthday treats. And my friend Doug from Atlanta actually remembered that today was my birthday and sent an email. Andrew doesn't usually give me gifts (and vice versa), but he's cooking a favorite meal and slaved over a hot grocery store checkout counter to get me a frozen key lime pie. So I'm good.
Now you are probably wondering when I'm going to get around to writing about rabbits. Well, I'm not. But I can take a little liberty today. After all, it IS my birthday.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun ¶ 10:02 AM 5 comments links to this post
Tuesday, November 22, 2005
Comments And Cliches
As you know, yesterday I stretched my neck out on the chopping block. I appreciate the fact that no one has (as of yet) swung the axe.
I do want to let everyone know that I welcome comments on my BLOG, even if they totally disagree with my viewpoint. As long as opinions are expressed in a respectful manner and there's no flaming or personal attacks, I will let the comment stand. Anonymous "hit and run" type comments will be deleted.
I can only see things from my own point of view. I might be able to stretch a bit to see things slightly differently, but maybe not drastically so. But, from time to time, I do change my mind or broaden my view on things - even at my age! So if you see things from a different vantage point, feel free to speak up.
I have some strong opinions about things, both in rabbits and outside of rabbits. I'm generally firm in my convictions and I know which things I've not yet made up my mind about. I am happy to share my views with a receptive audience. But I never, ever want to require people to agree with me.
"Agree to disagree" sometimes is viewed as a trite cliche. But I think it is an important tool in getting along and enjoying the good in relationships and opportunities. "Overlook what you can" is advice I often give my children. I think it's good advice for adults, too.
My very good friend Doug, a man I greatly respect and worked with for over a decade, used to give me this advice: "Play it straight." Especially when I was younger, I used to get really hot-headed about situations at work. He always advised me to take the high road and play things straight. He'd say that if the other side wanted to get ugly, let them do it alone.
I am pleased to see that there are those who are going to play it straight when touchy issues come up in our hobby. I haven't always done a good job of this in the past, but I have decided to do so in the future. I'm going to play it straight, overlook what I can, and agree to disagree.
I want to be able to stand at the judging table with both those who co-op and those who think that co-ops are not a good idea, and enjoy the day, joke around, support, celebrate, and have a good time.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
"Holland Lops Of Distinction"
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun ¶ 9:59 AM 0 comments links to this post
I do want to let everyone know that I welcome comments on my BLOG, even if they totally disagree with my viewpoint. As long as opinions are expressed in a respectful manner and there's no flaming or personal attacks, I will let the comment stand. Anonymous "hit and run" type comments will be deleted.
I can only see things from my own point of view. I might be able to stretch a bit to see things slightly differently, but maybe not drastically so. But, from time to time, I do change my mind or broaden my view on things - even at my age! So if you see things from a different vantage point, feel free to speak up.
I have some strong opinions about things, both in rabbits and outside of rabbits. I'm generally firm in my convictions and I know which things I've not yet made up my mind about. I am happy to share my views with a receptive audience. But I never, ever want to require people to agree with me.
"Agree to disagree" sometimes is viewed as a trite cliche. But I think it is an important tool in getting along and enjoying the good in relationships and opportunities. "Overlook what you can" is advice I often give my children. I think it's good advice for adults, too.
My very good friend Doug, a man I greatly respect and worked with for over a decade, used to give me this advice: "Play it straight." Especially when I was younger, I used to get really hot-headed about situations at work. He always advised me to take the high road and play things straight. He'd say that if the other side wanted to get ugly, let them do it alone.
I am pleased to see that there are those who are going to play it straight when touchy issues come up in our hobby. I haven't always done a good job of this in the past, but I have decided to do so in the future. I'm going to play it straight, overlook what I can, and agree to disagree.
I want to be able to stand at the judging table with both those who co-op and those who think that co-ops are not a good idea, and enjoy the day, joke around, support, celebrate, and have a good time.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
"Holland Lops Of Distinction"
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun ¶ 9:59 AM 0 comments links to this post
Monday, November 21, 2005
Co-ops
Please do not quote this post in part. Only taken together does it represent my views on co-ops.
Before this summer, co-ops were totally irrelevant to me. They were either something that had happened before I even started in bunnies or they were operating across the country and didn’t really affect my hopes to one day rise to number one in my district and place competitively nationally.
Then a co-op formed in my backyard. All of a sudden, I had an opinion. I didn’t like it. Not at all. The bar I was trying to reach – the one that seemed pretty far out of reach as it was - suddenly moved even further away. It was very discouraging.
Let me state for the record that I believe there is nothing wrong with being competitive. We all like to produce good rabbits and have them win. Otherwise, we’d hold rabbit shows like fashion shows and just parade them around without having them judged. No, we like to compete. Let’s just face it.
It’s the way we sometimes go about being competitive that makes it problematic or just plain wrong.
Forming a co-op is one technique that can be employed to help an exhibitor be more competitive. If you are just working together for fun, you don’t have to merge your points. So let’s just be honest. Co-oping is about gaining a competitive advantage. (And I’m sure it is fun, too, when the match works well between those in the co-op.)
After all, what is a co-op? It is two or more people who get to add their points together. They fill out their rabbits’ registrations with both (or all) names listed as owners, and they enter shows under both (or all) names. But it’s just a matter of paperwork.
Almost every breeder I know works with other breeders and friends in some fashion. We all have the option of lending rabbits, doing joint breedings, giving first choice in purchases, and so forth, with our friends. And we should always celebrate each other’s wins and be supportive of other breeders. So that’s not the part that makes it a co-op. It just comes down to adding points together and not having to compete against each other.
When I compete, I like to play on an even playing field. I don’t mind losing as much as never having had a fair chance to begin with. Let me amend that – I don’t mind losing to people who are good sports about winning.
Being one person, there is no way I can go to two different shows in two different locations, but a co-op can. Sure, domestic couples and family members can, too, but they must at least start from the same household to do it. A co-op can divide the territory and cover twice as much of the country, even winning Best Of Breeds and Best In Shows on the same day in two different locations. It just doesn’t seem fair somehow.
But reality is, there exists no even playing field in rabbits. Some breeders are wealthier than others. Some have large families who share responsibilities while others have to do it all themselves. Some have education or experience in animals that aids them in getting started and doing better sooner. Some people do not work outside the home. Some Holland breeders had experience in other breeds or were able to leverage their success with those breeds to get a leg up from the beginning. Some people are smarter, stronger, more patient, or more flexible than others. Some people had great mentors when they got started. There are all kinds of advantages.
There is no level playing field in rabbits.
Here’s what a level playing field would look like. Everyone starts with let’s say 24 genetically identical rabbits. They each have the same amount of money, access to the same knowledge, and the same number of months to produce results. Whether and how they buy, sell, breed, or show would make the difference in their success.
You see, what we do in reality is nothing at all like a level playing field.
So if there is no way to make things equal and there are all kinds of advantages that some people will have over others, why be concerned about co-ops? The main reason I can think of is that it is one huge thing that we can do something about.
We can never even out personal wealth or physical strength or any of those other factors. But we can make a rule that states that only people living in the same household (the same ones who qualify for a family membership) and have a single barn can show together and combine their points.
I would hate to see our breed get to the point that breeders feel they must co-op to be competitive. And if two in a co-op together no longer makes you competitive (once almost everyone has paired up), will we see groups of three, four, or more? Will we become a team sport? Where does it stop?
Look at the top 10 to 15 breeders in open sweepstakes last year. How many of them are in co-ops now? Where will the non-co-op top breeders land at the end of this sweepstakes year? Just add up the points of the co-op partners and you will see what the new landscape might look like.
I would like to think that if I breed intelligently, learn all that I can, and work hard, I might be able to make up for the fact that I’m not wealthy or didn’t have much experience with animals before I started, and so forth. But I can’t think of anything that might make two against one seem like a fair match.
Rather than talk about this issue endlessly, potentially dividing our club, I would love to see a constitutional amendment voted upon by the entire membership that would ban co-ops. The amendment should make the rule effective January 1, 2007, when the next sweepstakes year starts. Then everyone should vote. If the majority want no co-cops, then they would just be a thing of the past.
And if the majority wants to allow them, then we’ll all just have to get over it – I’ve gotten over the one that formed near me. Co-ops of the future, just like co-ops of today, would just be utilizing one of the legal options available to them to be more competitive and they should not have to experience any hard feelings over their choice. After all, they are just playing by the established rules.
One way or another, I don’t want to spend any more time talking about it or thinking about co-ops. I just want to get back to bunnies.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
¶ 8:46 AM 9 comments links to this post
Before this summer, co-ops were totally irrelevant to me. They were either something that had happened before I even started in bunnies or they were operating across the country and didn’t really affect my hopes to one day rise to number one in my district and place competitively nationally.
Then a co-op formed in my backyard. All of a sudden, I had an opinion. I didn’t like it. Not at all. The bar I was trying to reach – the one that seemed pretty far out of reach as it was - suddenly moved even further away. It was very discouraging.
Let me state for the record that I believe there is nothing wrong with being competitive. We all like to produce good rabbits and have them win. Otherwise, we’d hold rabbit shows like fashion shows and just parade them around without having them judged. No, we like to compete. Let’s just face it.
It’s the way we sometimes go about being competitive that makes it problematic or just plain wrong.
Forming a co-op is one technique that can be employed to help an exhibitor be more competitive. If you are just working together for fun, you don’t have to merge your points. So let’s just be honest. Co-oping is about gaining a competitive advantage. (And I’m sure it is fun, too, when the match works well between those in the co-op.)
After all, what is a co-op? It is two or more people who get to add their points together. They fill out their rabbits’ registrations with both (or all) names listed as owners, and they enter shows under both (or all) names. But it’s just a matter of paperwork.
Almost every breeder I know works with other breeders and friends in some fashion. We all have the option of lending rabbits, doing joint breedings, giving first choice in purchases, and so forth, with our friends. And we should always celebrate each other’s wins and be supportive of other breeders. So that’s not the part that makes it a co-op. It just comes down to adding points together and not having to compete against each other.
When I compete, I like to play on an even playing field. I don’t mind losing as much as never having had a fair chance to begin with. Let me amend that – I don’t mind losing to people who are good sports about winning.
Being one person, there is no way I can go to two different shows in two different locations, but a co-op can. Sure, domestic couples and family members can, too, but they must at least start from the same household to do it. A co-op can divide the territory and cover twice as much of the country, even winning Best Of Breeds and Best In Shows on the same day in two different locations. It just doesn’t seem fair somehow.
But reality is, there exists no even playing field in rabbits. Some breeders are wealthier than others. Some have large families who share responsibilities while others have to do it all themselves. Some have education or experience in animals that aids them in getting started and doing better sooner. Some people do not work outside the home. Some Holland breeders had experience in other breeds or were able to leverage their success with those breeds to get a leg up from the beginning. Some people are smarter, stronger, more patient, or more flexible than others. Some people had great mentors when they got started. There are all kinds of advantages.
There is no level playing field in rabbits.
Here’s what a level playing field would look like. Everyone starts with let’s say 24 genetically identical rabbits. They each have the same amount of money, access to the same knowledge, and the same number of months to produce results. Whether and how they buy, sell, breed, or show would make the difference in their success.
You see, what we do in reality is nothing at all like a level playing field.
So if there is no way to make things equal and there are all kinds of advantages that some people will have over others, why be concerned about co-ops? The main reason I can think of is that it is one huge thing that we can do something about.
We can never even out personal wealth or physical strength or any of those other factors. But we can make a rule that states that only people living in the same household (the same ones who qualify for a family membership) and have a single barn can show together and combine their points.
I would hate to see our breed get to the point that breeders feel they must co-op to be competitive. And if two in a co-op together no longer makes you competitive (once almost everyone has paired up), will we see groups of three, four, or more? Will we become a team sport? Where does it stop?
Look at the top 10 to 15 breeders in open sweepstakes last year. How many of them are in co-ops now? Where will the non-co-op top breeders land at the end of this sweepstakes year? Just add up the points of the co-op partners and you will see what the new landscape might look like.
I would like to think that if I breed intelligently, learn all that I can, and work hard, I might be able to make up for the fact that I’m not wealthy or didn’t have much experience with animals before I started, and so forth. But I can’t think of anything that might make two against one seem like a fair match.
Rather than talk about this issue endlessly, potentially dividing our club, I would love to see a constitutional amendment voted upon by the entire membership that would ban co-ops. The amendment should make the rule effective January 1, 2007, when the next sweepstakes year starts. Then everyone should vote. If the majority want no co-cops, then they would just be a thing of the past.
And if the majority wants to allow them, then we’ll all just have to get over it – I’ve gotten over the one that formed near me. Co-ops of the future, just like co-ops of today, would just be utilizing one of the legal options available to them to be more competitive and they should not have to experience any hard feelings over their choice. After all, they are just playing by the established rules.
One way or another, I don’t want to spend any more time talking about it or thinking about co-ops. I just want to get back to bunnies.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
¶ 8:46 AM 9 comments links to this post
Sunday, November 20, 2005
Elizabethtown, KY, Show
My daughter Anna and I took off in the early afternoon on Friday for the long drive (7 1/2 hours) to Elizabethtown, Kentucky. Yes, that's the same Elizabethtown from the movie, I'm told. We got a late start because I had had a longstanding date with my husband and kids to see Harry Potter the moment it came out. So at 11:00 a.m., Andrew took off for a long, extended lunch, and we headed to the theater. When we got back, we loaded the van and took off.
I detest driving through West Virginia. Oh, it's beautiful. Very beautiful. But the curves and narrow roads and trucks make the driving intense the whole way. Anna does love the two tunnels we go through just before crossing into West Virginia, though.
By the time we got into Kentucky, the driving was easier. Anna and I found a station playing all Christmas music, so we sang and listened and enjoyed the last 2 1/2 hours as much as you can ever enjoy the last 2 1/2 hours of a 7 1/2 hour trip.
We arrived at the motel just about 2 minutes after Deidre Edder arrived - our roommate for the night. We had both driven 7 1/2 hours from different states (Deidre from Georgia) and somehow had it timed almost perfectly.
We got an early start the next morning. It was a day of show and the club had to set up everything that morning (it would have cost them another half day rent to set up the night before, which was apparently cost-prohibitive). It was amazing that the show got started at a reasonable time with all that had to be done, but the club had lots of hard workers and they put things together in record time.
I entered 21 rabbits. I only took one grand champion. I was hunting for legs on rabbits that needed some to grand and was giving a lot of juniors their first test drive. I was very pleased with the quality of the bunnies I took and thought that I had a shot at doing pretty well with them. It was tough deciding to leave Ox and Merlin at home, but Franz just needs one leg and I did take Rio, so Franz wouldn't need any more competition from home if he'd have the chance to grand.
I didn't tell anyone in the area that I was coming, but I had hoped Denise Crafton would be there. I always enjoy showing with her. And I wasn't disappointed - in she walked with her big smile. Well, there was one disappointment: she didn't bring her hunk with her. Darn.
We were fortunate to get a judge that raises Hollands in the morning. There was a very nice crowd of Holland exhibitors. I wrote for most of Show A with help from the other exhibitors who put my rabbits up and down from the table.
My solid junior buck The Nature Trail's Wizard took his class, even though it was his first time out and he's just 3 1/2 months old. I've loved this buck since he was just 3 weeks old (like his full sister from an ealier litter, GC The Nature Trail's May). He went on to be Best of Group (and later gave the broken a run for his money it appeared, from the number of times the judge went back and forth between them).
When I got to the broken senior buck class, normally my strongest, I was highly optimistic. I had very mixed feelings when Rio came in 3rd. I had hoped he would take the class, of course, but when the judge said he was right on 4.00, I was very happy that my weight management had already kicked in with him!
And Franz was still on the table and he was the one I wanted to grand. The competition was stiff. The judge went back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. Uh Oh. Don't I remember doing this with Gary Smith last week and didn't it always turn out not to be in my favor? YUP! Franz came in second. No granding for him.
The broken senior buck that won went on to get the BOB. And his owner Keat Hor had a double delight when he also was BOB in show B. I had to leave before the BIS judging at the end of the day, but I sure wished Keat a lot of good luck on the table. Hey, if he's going to beat me, I want him to go all of the way! [I found out today that he won BIS in Show A - way to go, Keat & Rocky!]
My broken junior doe The Nature Trail's Tina was Best Opposite Sex in Show A, which was nice because that's a herdsman point. And The Nature Trail's Nikki, at her last show as a junior, was Best Opposite Sex in Show B, another herdsman point.
We got home at 11:00 p.m., dog tired. We had found more Christmas music for the way home and I got to hear most of the Prairie Home Companion, a radio show on NPR that I've come to love since I'm often in the car driving home from a show on Saturday evenings.
All in all, it was a very worthwhile trip. I enjoyed showing with the exhibitors there so much. We laughed and had a very good time, enjoying each other's successes and congratulating with full hearts. That's my kind of show.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
¶ 8:52 AM 0 comments links to this post
I detest driving through West Virginia. Oh, it's beautiful. Very beautiful. But the curves and narrow roads and trucks make the driving intense the whole way. Anna does love the two tunnels we go through just before crossing into West Virginia, though.
By the time we got into Kentucky, the driving was easier. Anna and I found a station playing all Christmas music, so we sang and listened and enjoyed the last 2 1/2 hours as much as you can ever enjoy the last 2 1/2 hours of a 7 1/2 hour trip.
We arrived at the motel just about 2 minutes after Deidre Edder arrived - our roommate for the night. We had both driven 7 1/2 hours from different states (Deidre from Georgia) and somehow had it timed almost perfectly.
We got an early start the next morning. It was a day of show and the club had to set up everything that morning (it would have cost them another half day rent to set up the night before, which was apparently cost-prohibitive). It was amazing that the show got started at a reasonable time with all that had to be done, but the club had lots of hard workers and they put things together in record time.
I entered 21 rabbits. I only took one grand champion. I was hunting for legs on rabbits that needed some to grand and was giving a lot of juniors their first test drive. I was very pleased with the quality of the bunnies I took and thought that I had a shot at doing pretty well with them. It was tough deciding to leave Ox and Merlin at home, but Franz just needs one leg and I did take Rio, so Franz wouldn't need any more competition from home if he'd have the chance to grand.
I didn't tell anyone in the area that I was coming, but I had hoped Denise Crafton would be there. I always enjoy showing with her. And I wasn't disappointed - in she walked with her big smile. Well, there was one disappointment: she didn't bring her hunk with her. Darn.
We were fortunate to get a judge that raises Hollands in the morning. There was a very nice crowd of Holland exhibitors. I wrote for most of Show A with help from the other exhibitors who put my rabbits up and down from the table.
My solid junior buck The Nature Trail's Wizard took his class, even though it was his first time out and he's just 3 1/2 months old. I've loved this buck since he was just 3 weeks old (like his full sister from an ealier litter, GC The Nature Trail's May). He went on to be Best of Group (and later gave the broken a run for his money it appeared, from the number of times the judge went back and forth between them).
When I got to the broken senior buck class, normally my strongest, I was highly optimistic. I had very mixed feelings when Rio came in 3rd. I had hoped he would take the class, of course, but when the judge said he was right on 4.00, I was very happy that my weight management had already kicked in with him!
And Franz was still on the table and he was the one I wanted to grand. The competition was stiff. The judge went back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. Uh Oh. Don't I remember doing this with Gary Smith last week and didn't it always turn out not to be in my favor? YUP! Franz came in second. No granding for him.
The broken senior buck that won went on to get the BOB. And his owner Keat Hor had a double delight when he also was BOB in show B. I had to leave before the BIS judging at the end of the day, but I sure wished Keat a lot of good luck on the table. Hey, if he's going to beat me, I want him to go all of the way! [I found out today that he won BIS in Show A - way to go, Keat & Rocky!]
My broken junior doe The Nature Trail's Tina was Best Opposite Sex in Show A, which was nice because that's a herdsman point. And The Nature Trail's Nikki, at her last show as a junior, was Best Opposite Sex in Show B, another herdsman point.
We got home at 11:00 p.m., dog tired. We had found more Christmas music for the way home and I got to hear most of the Prairie Home Companion, a radio show on NPR that I've come to love since I'm often in the car driving home from a show on Saturday evenings.
All in all, it was a very worthwhile trip. I enjoyed showing with the exhibitors there so much. We laughed and had a very good time, enjoying each other's successes and congratulating with full hearts. That's my kind of show.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
¶ 8:52 AM 0 comments links to this post
Friday, November 18, 2005
No Winter Break
I've been reading notes from exhibitors that say they are finished showing until the spring. How do they do it? I'm not sure I could live through a season that has neither rabbit shows nor Braves baseball in it. Maybe I could live without one, but both - no way!
Before I got into rabbits, I was grateful for the holidays. They helped make the break between the World Series and spring training go faster. Now I find that the three or four week break I have in showing rabbits is way too long even with all of the activity that Christmas brings.
Last year, I didn't breed much in November so that I wouldn't have babies due around Christmas. I took some time off to relax during the holidays. And I had to miss the December 2 show to play Christmas music with my family quartet (something I've given up now). Instead of being a much needed break, I found that I missed my babies and the shows! And four and five months later, I had a huge gap in my juniors, which I found frustrating.
So this year, I'm continuing to breed. I may even breed on Tuesday or Wednesday, which would make the kits due on December 23 and 24. I'm walking on the wild side this year!
To all of you who have even bigger gaps in your show schedule, you have my sympathies. I don't know how you cope. But please feel free to drop in here anytime. I'll do my best to describe the shows I attend in rich detail. That way, perhaps, you can get your rabbit show fix vicariously.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun ¶ 6:59 AM 0 comments links to this post
Before I got into rabbits, I was grateful for the holidays. They helped make the break between the World Series and spring training go faster. Now I find that the three or four week break I have in showing rabbits is way too long even with all of the activity that Christmas brings.
Last year, I didn't breed much in November so that I wouldn't have babies due around Christmas. I took some time off to relax during the holidays. And I had to miss the December 2 show to play Christmas music with my family quartet (something I've given up now). Instead of being a much needed break, I found that I missed my babies and the shows! And four and five months later, I had a huge gap in my juniors, which I found frustrating.
So this year, I'm continuing to breed. I may even breed on Tuesday or Wednesday, which would make the kits due on December 23 and 24. I'm walking on the wild side this year!
To all of you who have even bigger gaps in your show schedule, you have my sympathies. I don't know how you cope. But please feel free to drop in here anytime. I'll do my best to describe the shows I attend in rich detail. That way, perhaps, you can get your rabbit show fix vicariously.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun ¶ 6:59 AM 0 comments links to this post
Thursday, November 17, 2005
Dreamcatcher Rabbitry Website
The Dreamcatcher Rabbitry website is approximately 95% complete and was posted yesterday. Linda Norris and I have a little more work to do on it, but we hope that you will go ahead and take a peek. Linda has some adorable pictures on her new site that you won't want to miss.
Linda has Holland lops, mini lops, and the newest breed, thriantas. If you haven't seen pictures of thriantas, check out her site. You can see them on the home page. They are easy to spot because they are red - very red (the thrianta page has not been published yet but will be coming soon).
With Dreamcatcher for a name, Linda appropriately chose a southwest look and feel for her website. It was fun working with the great colors and the challenging layout of the first page.
I learned a great deal about creating websites for someone other than myself by working on Linda's site. Thanks, Linda, for being my guinea pig - or is that cavy?
My best advice: put most of your energy into getting the first page exactly right. Don't approve it until you love it. Then the rest of the website will practically develop itself. Linda was willing to accept the first design I sent her. But I could tell she wasn't in love with it. When I sent her the one she did choose, her response was "I LOVE IT." That's what I was waiting for.
Linda's advice: "The main thing is for the person to get everything together before they start, and know what they want." I think that's great advice. No matter who does a website for you, you can use the Get Started Today On Your New Website page of The Nature Trail Rabbitry website to help you collect your information and make some basic decisions before you start.
Part of the "everything" you need to get together is information, but the biggest part is the photographs for the site. That's the most time-consuming. Yet a beautiful site with just a few pictures can represent your rabbitry well. Then you can add pictures over time. I know Linda has more pictures to add in the not-too-distant future.
I've just added a new page to my website with a few pointers for taking good rabbit pictures. If you are taking pictures for your website, newsletter, or for keepsakes, you may want to check it out.
I do have a couple of projects lined up that should keep me busy through the end of the year. But why not treat yourself to a brand new website in 2006?
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
¶ 8:09 AM links to this post
Linda has Holland lops, mini lops, and the newest breed, thriantas. If you haven't seen pictures of thriantas, check out her site. You can see them on the home page. They are easy to spot because they are red - very red (the thrianta page has not been published yet but will be coming soon).
With Dreamcatcher for a name, Linda appropriately chose a southwest look and feel for her website. It was fun working with the great colors and the challenging layout of the first page.
I learned a great deal about creating websites for someone other than myself by working on Linda's site. Thanks, Linda, for being my guinea pig - or is that cavy?
My best advice: put most of your energy into getting the first page exactly right. Don't approve it until you love it. Then the rest of the website will practically develop itself. Linda was willing to accept the first design I sent her. But I could tell she wasn't in love with it. When I sent her the one she did choose, her response was "I LOVE IT." That's what I was waiting for.
Linda's advice: "The main thing is for the person to get everything together before they start, and know what they want." I think that's great advice. No matter who does a website for you, you can use the Get Started Today On Your New Website page of The Nature Trail Rabbitry website to help you collect your information and make some basic decisions before you start.
Part of the "everything" you need to get together is information, but the biggest part is the photographs for the site. That's the most time-consuming. Yet a beautiful site with just a few pictures can represent your rabbitry well. Then you can add pictures over time. I know Linda has more pictures to add in the not-too-distant future.
I've just added a new page to my website with a few pointers for taking good rabbit pictures. If you are taking pictures for your website, newsletter, or for keepsakes, you may want to check it out.
I do have a couple of projects lined up that should keep me busy through the end of the year. But why not treat yourself to a brand new website in 2006?
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
¶ 8:09 AM links to this post
Wednesday, November 16, 2005
Rabbit Breeding By The Phases Of The Moon
I wrote a friend that I had produced about 4 to 1 bucks over does lately. But when I entered my lastest group of about three dozen rabbits into my database, I found that it wasn't nearly true. It just seemed like it was true. In reality, I paid more attention to the litters that supported my claim and tended to ignore the litters that didn't. That's how prejudices and superstitions are born.
I had another conversation with a breeder and he mentioned that breeding at the full moon is supposed to produce more bucks. I don't understand how something like that could work. It seems to me that there's no relationship. But I do know that the moon controls the tides, that there are more murders and crimes during the full moon, and that more babies are born then. I can't deny that things happen during the full moon, even if I can't figure out how it works.
I often say that, while opinions are great, they have no place when the facts can be known. I hate to debate when research is possible. Don't argue about how to pronounce a word - just go get the dictionary. That's me all over.
So I decided with over 400 rabbits in my database that I had the conception dates for, it was time to find out a little something about breeding rabbits by the phases of the moon. I think you will be interested in what I found out.
First, I asked my husband to find out for me when we had full moons and new moons since I started breeding in February 2003. I decided to classify the two days before and after as part of the full moon or new moon. Hence, if the full moon was on March 9, then I defined breedings during March 7-11 as full moon breedings.
I attempted 37 breedings during the new moon (when it's dark) and 44 breedings during the full moon. The balance of my breedings were somewhere in between.
Of the 37 new moon breedings, 14 produced kits that survived long enough to be added to my database. From the 44 full moon breedings, 24 litters of viable kits were produced - again, those that lived long enough to be added to my database (virtually always over two months of age).
I averaged 1.1 kits per new moon breeding attempt I averaged 1.5 kits per full moon breeding attempt
I had another conversation with a breeder and he mentioned that breeding at the full moon is supposed to produce more bucks. I don't understand how something like that could work. It seems to me that there's no relationship. But I do know that the moon controls the tides, that there are more murders and crimes during the full moon, and that more babies are born then. I can't deny that things happen during the full moon, even if I can't figure out how it works.
I often say that, while opinions are great, they have no place when the facts can be known. I hate to debate when research is possible. Don't argue about how to pronounce a word - just go get the dictionary. That's me all over.
So I decided with over 400 rabbits in my database that I had the conception dates for, it was time to find out a little something about breeding rabbits by the phases of the moon. I think you will be interested in what I found out.
First, I asked my husband to find out for me when we had full moons and new moons since I started breeding in February 2003. I decided to classify the two days before and after as part of the full moon or new moon. Hence, if the full moon was on March 9, then I defined breedings during March 7-11 as full moon breedings.
I attempted 37 breedings during the new moon (when it's dark) and 44 breedings during the full moon. The balance of my breedings were somewhere in between.
Of the 37 new moon breedings, 14 produced kits that survived long enough to be added to my database. From the 44 full moon breedings, 24 litters of viable kits were produced - again, those that lived long enough to be added to my database (virtually always over two months of age).
- 38% of the new moon breedings produced live kits
- 55% of the full moon breedings produced live kits
I netted a total of 42 rabbits from the 14 new moon litters in 37 attempts. I netted 68 rabbits from the 24 full moon breedings in 44 attempts.
- I averaged 3 kits per litter resulting from new moon breedings
- I averaged 2.8 kits per litter resulting from full moon breedings
When I averaged in all of the litters that produced nothing (misses and all-dead litters), I netted the following:
That is to say, if I breed ten does at a new moon, I get 11 babies. If I breed ten does at the full moon, I get 15 babies, if these numbers hold true.
It is possible that 3 kits and 2.8 kits is not statistically significantly different. I don't have access to a computer program to determine that (and I've forgotten all I ever knew about calculating such by hand!) I do think that the 1.1 vs. 1.5 might be an interesting finding. It those numbers held up under huge populations, it might mean that more kits are produced for the effort you spend when you breed during the full moon.
But here's the most interesting part. During the new moon, I produced 15 bucks and 27 does. Under the full moon, I produced 40 bucks and 28 does. I produced almost the same number of does each time, but I produced 25 more bucks in the full moon breedings.
- With new moon breeding, I produced 36% bucks and 64% does
- With full moon breeding, I produced 59% bucks and 41% does
It would be interesting to see if other rabbitries have experienced the same thing. I would love to know whether these findings would be replicated elsewhere. I don't feel that my sample size is big enough to say too much for sure, especially without statistical tests, but since my hypothesis was that there would be no difference, I am surprised to see the numbers that came out.
I think I could use a few more does right now, though. I wonder when the next new moon is?
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
Tuesday, November 15, 2005
Big Boy - Big Job
I admit I haven't been the best rabbit manager when it comes to The Nature Trail's Rio. When I had him registered, he was 3.12, so I really didn't think much of it. I know he has a huge appetite and I know I give in to those cute pleading antics too often, so I should have been more aware. But I wasn't.
By the time he went to Convention, he was four pounds That should have been my second warning, but again, it wasn't. I free fed my rabbits at Convention because they were all eating poorly. I gave them shredded wheat to tempt them. I treated Rio the same way, even though his appetite suffered not one bit.
Then, once he came in first place, we moved on to celebration treats. He got some extra shredded wheat and some banana, too. I considered retiring him from showing because going to Convention had upset him so much. So I had no concern for his weight at that moment at all.
But once he got home, he returned to his energetic, but sweet self. So I decided to try him at a local show to see if it was only the size of Convention that had bothered him so much.
By then, his weight was between 4.01 and 4.02 (I had been overfeeding everyone a bit during the barn cleaning because my measuring cup was one of the things in the long line to be cleaned). That weight is within the tolerance of most judges, unless they get a heavy-weighing scale. But I personally want him to be 4.00 or less.
So, the question is, what do I do? I don't want to have him on a starvation diet. I have reduced his feed by just about 1/3 to 1/2 oz. But the biggest change I've made is in his housing (well, the biggest change has actually been in my attitude).
I took a double cage and removed the dividing wall - all except the bottom 4". I covered the top of the wire mesh with a plastic edging to protect his tummy when he jumps over the barrier. I placed his water and toys on the left side and his food on the right side.
Now when he sees me coming, he doesn't just dance back and forth, he jumps over the barrier back and forth. I hope that will help him burn off some of his extra calories without starving him down drastically. I want him to stay in good shape. His health is more important than his show career.
Will this work? Only time will tell.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
¶ 10:38 AM 0 comments links to this post
By the time he went to Convention, he was four pounds That should have been my second warning, but again, it wasn't. I free fed my rabbits at Convention because they were all eating poorly. I gave them shredded wheat to tempt them. I treated Rio the same way, even though his appetite suffered not one bit.
Then, once he came in first place, we moved on to celebration treats. He got some extra shredded wheat and some banana, too. I considered retiring him from showing because going to Convention had upset him so much. So I had no concern for his weight at that moment at all.
But once he got home, he returned to his energetic, but sweet self. So I decided to try him at a local show to see if it was only the size of Convention that had bothered him so much.
By then, his weight was between 4.01 and 4.02 (I had been overfeeding everyone a bit during the barn cleaning because my measuring cup was one of the things in the long line to be cleaned). That weight is within the tolerance of most judges, unless they get a heavy-weighing scale. But I personally want him to be 4.00 or less.
So, the question is, what do I do? I don't want to have him on a starvation diet. I have reduced his feed by just about 1/3 to 1/2 oz. But the biggest change I've made is in his housing (well, the biggest change has actually been in my attitude).
I took a double cage and removed the dividing wall - all except the bottom 4". I covered the top of the wire mesh with a plastic edging to protect his tummy when he jumps over the barrier. I placed his water and toys on the left side and his food on the right side.
Now when he sees me coming, he doesn't just dance back and forth, he jumps over the barrier back and forth. I hope that will help him burn off some of his extra calories without starving him down drastically. I want him to stay in good shape. His health is more important than his show career.
Will this work? Only time will tell.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
¶ 10:38 AM 0 comments links to this post
Monday, November 14, 2005
The Grand Old Dame
I'm facing a bit of a choice. The choice is between my head and my heart. I have (or had) made a logical decision to follow a particular guideline and now that it's about to come into play, my heart is yelling much more loudly.
My guideline is to sell breeding does when they turn three years old. It makes sense. They are still young enough to produce litters for someone else, but they are likely to be less productive in the future than they were in the past. It's a great guideline to follow. Logically speaking, of course.
In general, my barn is very young. I only have four rabbits born before August 2004. But one of those is a wonderful breeding doe who will be three in December.
The reason for the guideline is to force me to keep my breeding stock turning over. If I rest on my laurels and keep breeding the same ones, I'm not progressing in the development of my herd or my own line and I risk waking up one day to a geriatric herd.
But the reason it is a dilemna in this case, is that she's producing such nice bunnies for me. I'm so near the beginning of establishing my own line, couldn't even one or two more nice bunnies with a similar genetic composition make a huge impact on my future herd? I think it might.
But then where I do cut it off? Will I continue to say, just one more litter? I have three daughters who are producing already and another one due soon. I've sold another couple of beautiful daughters to nearby rabbitries. I have a young junior doe that looks promising and two kits in the nest box with her now. Isn't that enough?
But I've finally gotten her figured out! I've finally determined which buck produces the best kits with her. Am I ready to give that up already? She's produced very few pets. The likelihood of getting a keeper from one more litter is high.
I really don't know what I will do. I guess if I keep her, with such a young barn, I'm not likely to raise the average age by much. I suppose if I sell her, I have daughters aplenty to work with. Maybe just one more litter. . .
I was just talking with ARBA Judge Greg West this weekend about the conflict between make rabbitry management decisions with our heads instead of our hearts. In that conversation, I agreed wholeheartedly that we needed to decided with our heads. But it's hard to do.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
Great Gift Ideas
Unique Gifts From Special Places
¶ 2:21 PM 2 comments links to this post
My guideline is to sell breeding does when they turn three years old. It makes sense. They are still young enough to produce litters for someone else, but they are likely to be less productive in the future than they were in the past. It's a great guideline to follow. Logically speaking, of course.
In general, my barn is very young. I only have four rabbits born before August 2004. But one of those is a wonderful breeding doe who will be three in December.
The reason for the guideline is to force me to keep my breeding stock turning over. If I rest on my laurels and keep breeding the same ones, I'm not progressing in the development of my herd or my own line and I risk waking up one day to a geriatric herd.
But the reason it is a dilemna in this case, is that she's producing such nice bunnies for me. I'm so near the beginning of establishing my own line, couldn't even one or two more nice bunnies with a similar genetic composition make a huge impact on my future herd? I think it might.
But then where I do cut it off? Will I continue to say, just one more litter? I have three daughters who are producing already and another one due soon. I've sold another couple of beautiful daughters to nearby rabbitries. I have a young junior doe that looks promising and two kits in the nest box with her now. Isn't that enough?
But I've finally gotten her figured out! I've finally determined which buck produces the best kits with her. Am I ready to give that up already? She's produced very few pets. The likelihood of getting a keeper from one more litter is high.
I really don't know what I will do. I guess if I keep her, with such a young barn, I'm not likely to raise the average age by much. I suppose if I sell her, I have daughters aplenty to work with. Maybe just one more litter. . .
I was just talking with ARBA Judge Greg West this weekend about the conflict between make rabbitry management decisions with our heads instead of our hearts. In that conversation, I agreed wholeheartedly that we needed to decided with our heads. But it's hard to do.
Here's a thought: if I breed her before her third birthday and sell her after the litter is born, does that count as following the guideline?
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
Great Gift Ideas
Unique Gifts From Special Places
¶ 2:21 PM 2 comments links to this post
Sunday, November 13, 2005
Pet Sale Customer Service
If you sell pet rabbits, I hope you will consider sending them to Precious Pet Rabbits for their pet care information. Without having to answer a bunch of questions yourself, you can provide tons of rabbit information to your customers with just the one website address: http://www.pet-rabbit-care-information.com/.
It is a breed-neutral site. I confess that I have more pictures of Holland lops than other breeds, but I had a head start in that breed.
[I am still looking for pet rabbit pictures from other breeds as well. If you know breeders of other breeds who sell pets and want to get some free advertisement for their website, suggest that they contact me for details. It's not hard to contact a favorite customer or two and ask for digital pictures of their pet rabbits. Many of them already have photos in their computers and would love to have the chance to show them off.]
But sometimes, you receive an email about a specific concern. Perhaps a pet rabbit has died. Maybe they want to know which litter to use. Here are some pages from the Precious Pet Rabbits site that might be especially useful:
¶ 11:45 AM 0 comments links to this post
It is a breed-neutral site. I confess that I have more pictures of Holland lops than other breeds, but I had a head start in that breed.
[I am still looking for pet rabbit pictures from other breeds as well. If you know breeders of other breeds who sell pets and want to get some free advertisement for their website, suggest that they contact me for details. It's not hard to contact a favorite customer or two and ask for digital pictures of their pet rabbits. Many of them already have photos in their computers and would love to have the chance to show them off.]
But sometimes, you receive an email about a specific concern. Perhaps a pet rabbit has died. Maybe they want to know which litter to use. Here are some pages from the Precious Pet Rabbits site that might be especially useful:
- Adopting Adult and Nearly-Adult Rabbits http://www.pet-rabbit-care-information.com/adult-pet-rabbit.htm
- The Best Pet Rabbit Breeds http://www.pet-rabbit-care-information.com/best-rabbit-breed.htm
- How To Housetrain A Pet Rabbit http://www.pet-rabbit-care-information.com/housetrain-pet-rabbit.htm
- Grieving The Loss Of Your Pet Rabbit http://www.pet-rabbit-care-information.com/loss-pet-rabbit.htm
- Male Rabbits Make The Best Pet Rabbits http://www.pet-rabbit-care-information.com/male-rabbit-best-pets.htm
- Getting To Know Your Pet Rabbit http://www.pet-rabbit-care-information.com/new-pet-rabbit.htm
- Rabbit Housing http://www.pet-rabbit-care-information.com/rabbit-housing.htm
- Indoor Rabbit Cages (For Sale) http://www.pet-rabbit-care-information.com/pet-rabbit-cages.htm
- Pet Rabbit FAQs http://www.pet-rabbit-care-information.com/pet-rabbit-faqs.htm
- Rabbit Food For Pet Rabbits: What Do Rabbits Eat? http://www.pet-rabbit-care-information.com/pet-rabbit-food.htm
- How To Evaluate A Pet Rabbit Before You Buy http://www.pet-rabbit-care-information.com/pre-purchase-rabbit-evaluation.htm
- Rabbit Litter Training Supplies (For Sale) http://www.pet-rabbit-care-information.com/rabbit-litter.htm
- Rabbits Can Be Pals With Cats, Dogs, And More http://www.pet-rabbit-care-information.com/rabbits-with-dogs-cats.htm
- Locate A Local Rabbit Breeder http://www.pet-rabbit-care-information.com/local-rabbit-breeder.htm
I hope you will make frequently use of the Precious Pet Rabbits website. If you have a website of your own, no matter the breed, please consider linking to Precious Pet Rabbits and/or to a specific page. Placing the link on the first page of your website is the most helpful.
Don't have a website, but want one? Check out Affordable Web Site Design
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction"
and
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
¶ 11:45 AM 0 comments links to this post
Taylorsville, NC, Show
The fun of this show started the night before when my friend Dani Cole came to stay at the Stroupe B&B for rabbit exhibitors. I love to have my rabbit friends stay with me on their way to or from a show. And I appreciate the invitations I've received from others to do the same. It certainly makes show travel more fun and more affordable.
My friend Alison just got back into bunnies and this was her very first show since returning. It was great to see her smiling face there. And I got a big hug from her young daughter whom I have traveled with; we've been road warriors together!
It was a bittersweet weekend in one way. I said good-bye to GC BBF's Yankee Doodle Dandy, undoubtedly the best rabbit that has ever been in my barn. If I could ever produce even one as good as him, I would know that I had been a success. The sweet part is that he is now owned by Fayth Young, my special youth buddy. He made her very happy by getting a BOB (his 29th leg and 15th BOB) and an honorable mention in the BIS judging. He's beginning a molt and that held him back.
I delivered a number of sale bunnies, some I've been holding for a few weeks, and I was pleased (between bouts of kicking myself in the butt) that they were turning out so nice. Well, at least I didn't sell them too far away. I might work with some of those bunnies one day in the future. You never now. And I'll definitely be seeing them and their offspring on the show table. Talk about kicking yourself in the butt!!!
(Note to self: do not automatically take bunnies from the table with an ear number starting in "NT" because they might not be yours.)
The Nature Trail's Bliss, now owned my Linda Norris, beat my girls in Show B. I was very pleased for Bliss and Linda. I also got a chance to see a lovely doe produced by Candace Weaver out of The Nature Trail's Whorf (brother to Brook, Becky, LaForge, Geordi, and Laredo, and now to two bucks from a new litter of the same breeding: Jupiter and Mars).
I was the bridesmaid in the first show with four second places. I was the "suspense factor" in that show. Gary & Susan Smith and I duked it out for broken senior buck class. I had The Nature Trail's Ox on the table and they had SPOT, their BOB from the day after Nationals. He's held his type together well from his big junior win. Back and forth, back and forth, with a final drum roll at the end, SPOT won. Then we had a repeat for the broken junior buck. Again the Smith's were victorious. At least it was a fun way to lose.
In the second show, I did have one fun moment when Rio, Ox, and Trevor took first, second, and third in the broken senior buck class. It wasn't as much fun or as suspenseful though because that judge arranges the rabbits and then gives all of the comments in order. And Gary wasn't there this time to whisper back and forth with. He did pass by just in time for a few light-hearted comments. And then Mars took the broken junior buck class later, so we ended up splitting the day as it turned out.
I finished up the long day with a planning meeting for the NCRBA. I believe that everyone east of the Mississippi should put the NC State Convention on their list of shows for March 18 & 19. It will be a QUAD weekend for both open and youth! We're working very hard to make the show a huge success. It will be held in Winston-Salem this year.
Congratulations to Lukeman and Buchenauer on their double BOB, BOS combination with a BIS in show A. Congratulations to Bruce Ford with his BRIS in show B with his Netherland Dwarf. See, I am at least aware that other breeds exist!
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
"Holland Lops Of Distinction"
http://www.thenaturetrail.com/
http://www.thenaturetrail.com/blog/BLOG.html ¶ 11:03 AM 0 comments links to this post
My friend Alison just got back into bunnies and this was her very first show since returning. It was great to see her smiling face there. And I got a big hug from her young daughter whom I have traveled with; we've been road warriors together!
It was a bittersweet weekend in one way. I said good-bye to GC BBF's Yankee Doodle Dandy, undoubtedly the best rabbit that has ever been in my barn. If I could ever produce even one as good as him, I would know that I had been a success. The sweet part is that he is now owned by Fayth Young, my special youth buddy. He made her very happy by getting a BOB (his 29th leg and 15th BOB) and an honorable mention in the BIS judging. He's beginning a molt and that held him back.
I delivered a number of sale bunnies, some I've been holding for a few weeks, and I was pleased (between bouts of kicking myself in the butt) that they were turning out so nice. Well, at least I didn't sell them too far away. I might work with some of those bunnies one day in the future. You never now. And I'll definitely be seeing them and their offspring on the show table. Talk about kicking yourself in the butt!!!
(Note to self: do not automatically take bunnies from the table with an ear number starting in "NT" because they might not be yours.)
The Nature Trail's Bliss, now owned my Linda Norris, beat my girls in Show B. I was very pleased for Bliss and Linda. I also got a chance to see a lovely doe produced by Candace Weaver out of The Nature Trail's Whorf (brother to Brook, Becky, LaForge, Geordi, and Laredo, and now to two bucks from a new litter of the same breeding: Jupiter and Mars).
I was the bridesmaid in the first show with four second places. I was the "suspense factor" in that show. Gary & Susan Smith and I duked it out for broken senior buck class. I had The Nature Trail's Ox on the table and they had SPOT, their BOB from the day after Nationals. He's held his type together well from his big junior win. Back and forth, back and forth, with a final drum roll at the end, SPOT won. Then we had a repeat for the broken junior buck. Again the Smith's were victorious. At least it was a fun way to lose.
In the second show, I did have one fun moment when Rio, Ox, and Trevor took first, second, and third in the broken senior buck class. It wasn't as much fun or as suspenseful though because that judge arranges the rabbits and then gives all of the comments in order. And Gary wasn't there this time to whisper back and forth with. He did pass by just in time for a few light-hearted comments. And then Mars took the broken junior buck class later, so we ended up splitting the day as it turned out.
I finished up the long day with a planning meeting for the NCRBA. I believe that everyone east of the Mississippi should put the NC State Convention on their list of shows for March 18 & 19. It will be a QUAD weekend for both open and youth! We're working very hard to make the show a huge success. It will be held in Winston-Salem this year.
Congratulations to Lukeman and Buchenauer on their double BOB, BOS combination with a BIS in show A. Congratulations to Bruce Ford with his BRIS in show B with his Netherland Dwarf. See, I am at least aware that other breeds exist!
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
"Holland Lops Of Distinction"
http://www.thenaturetrail.com/
http://www.thenaturetrail.com/blog/BLOG.html ¶ 11:03 AM 0 comments links to this post
Friday, November 11, 2005
Producing True Dwarfs
Please note that "false dwarf" and "normal" are the same and the terms may be used interchangeably.
In dwarf breeds, there's no way to produce more than 50% true dwarfs, on the average. No matter how clever you are at matching rabbits, no matter how high the quality of your herd, no matter how typey your rabbits are, fifty-percent is the max.
We are limited by biology. Each true dwarf carries a dwarf gene and a normal gene (a false dwarf gene). When you breed two true dwarfs together, you get, on the average, 50% true dwarfs, 25% false dwarfs, and 25% peanuts. Sure, you can get an all-true-dwarf litter occasionally, especially in smaller litters. But I'm talking about on the average. You can also get six peanuts in a litter. But that's atypical, too. If you look back over your last 100 births from true dwarf to true dwarf breedings, you should see approximately 50%, 25%, and 25% - true, false, and peanuts.
But it seems like you are getting more show quality rabbits than that? Does it now. Well, that's probably because we are usually more concerned with the surviving litter. In the surviving litter (taking into consideration that peanuts always die), you have 50% true and 25% false (or normal), of the original litter. That's a 2 to 1 ratio. In other words, about 2/3 of the surviving litter will be true dwarf and 1/3 of the surviving litter will be false.
So, does that mean you don't get as many true dwarfs - the ones with the show potential - when you breed true dwarf to false dwarf. No. You get the same number of true dwarfs - 50% of births. The false dwarf, or normal parent, only has a normal gene to contribute to each offspring. The true dwarf parent gives the normal gene to half and the true dwarf gene to half. So the result is 50% true
In dwarf breeds, there's no way to produce more than 50% true dwarfs, on the average. No matter how clever you are at matching rabbits, no matter how high the quality of your herd, no matter how typey your rabbits are, fifty-percent is the max.
We are limited by biology. Each true dwarf carries a dwarf gene and a normal gene (a false dwarf gene). When you breed two true dwarfs together, you get, on the average, 50% true dwarfs, 25% false dwarfs, and 25% peanuts. Sure, you can get an all-true-dwarf litter occasionally, especially in smaller litters. But I'm talking about on the average. You can also get six peanuts in a litter. But that's atypical, too. If you look back over your last 100 births from true dwarf to true dwarf breedings, you should see approximately 50%, 25%, and 25% - true, false, and peanuts.
But it seems like you are getting more show quality rabbits than that? Does it now. Well, that's probably because we are usually more concerned with the surviving litter. In the surviving litter (taking into consideration that peanuts always die), you have 50% true and 25% false (or normal), of the original litter. That's a 2 to 1 ratio. In other words, about 2/3 of the surviving litter will be true dwarf and 1/3 of the surviving litter will be false.
So, does that mean you don't get as many true dwarfs - the ones with the show potential - when you breed true dwarf to false dwarf. No. You get the same number of true dwarfs - 50% of births. The false dwarf, or normal parent, only has a normal gene to contribute to each offspring. The true dwarf parent gives the normal gene to half and the true dwarf gene to half. So the result is 50% true