Thursday, January 19, 2006
A Big Step Forward
Warning: processing rabbits for meat is discussed extensively in this post. If you find the topic offensive, you may wish to skip this one.
As I review where I started and where I am, I realize I've taken a huge step forward in my rabbitry in terms of rabbit quality. I cringe when I think of rabbits that I sold with pedigrees very early on. I hate that there are some rabbits out there with my name on them that I used to think were really nice, but would now probably pet out.
But in reality, no one can start with full knowledge of Holland lops or the well developed ability to evaluate them. Both things develop with time and are never completely finished. I know I'm still a work in progress!
I have no idea how many other large steps forward I may be able to take in the future. Perhaps one day I will laugh at myself for valuing the rabbits I value today. Who knows.
But from this particular vantage point, I see that some of the rabbits I used to pet out, I now send to be processed (although I have never sold pets with bad attitudes or health issues). Some of the rabbits I used to sell as breeding stock, I now pet out. Rabbits I used to keep in my herd, I now sell as breeding stock or occasionally as show stock (I label almost everything as breeding stock unless I feel that it has the potential to show well). And the types of rabbits I keep now, I didn't even produce a couple of years ago.
Two things have brought about these changes. First, I've figured out a few things about my rabbits and I've culled my herd aggressively to get it to where it is today, and I have a plan about where it is going tomorrow.
The second thing is that I've found someone to process my culls. And in truth, that has been as big a help as anything else I've done to improve my rabbits.
When I first got into rabbits, the idea of eating them repulsed me. I still don't eat them myself. I've always intellectually had no problem with it. I don't mind that they serve rabbit at rabbit shows. I don't have anything against any friend who butchers them or eats them. I just can't do it myself.
But since I've always believed that a clean kill is better than a poor life for animals, I at least had a starting point to deal with eventually sending healthy rabbits to their deaths. It was very hard for me at first. I felt guilty. But over time, it worked well for my rabbitry and I knew that none of the rabbits I sent to the processor were being attacked by dogs, neglected by someone who bought them on impulse, dying of a disease or anything else bad that might happen to them.
By having the processing option, I can also be very picky about who I sell pets to. I rarely take pets to shows anymore unless I have promised to bring one particularly for someone. I get to place my bunnies with people who bring me their cages to show what a special place they have prepared for him or ask me a million questions to make sure they've gotten it right. I get to sell my pets to people who send me photographs and let me know their special pet came through their neutering okay. I get to sell to people who will make a two-day trip to pick up their new pet rabbit.
I'd rather sell pets to families who are really ready to be devoted to their new rabbit and take the best of care of him, than to have to take anybody who is willing to relieve me of a bunny. And having a processor has done that for me.
When I was just starting in rabbits, I was aware that the ability to find a place for every rabbit that I could not use in my program was a requirement to continue to breed for the show quality ones that I aimed for. If all of the cages were full and I could not move out bunnies, I would have to slow down my breeding program or stop for awhile until I could find homes for the excess.
It made me antsy to evaluate those babies way too young. I had to know which were pets while they were cute and adorable so I could get them into pet homes while I still could! But I soon learned to slow down, take my time, and give the show quality rabbits time to develop first. I also developed my firm belief that rabbits shouldn't be petted out until they are older - for their own good, not just for my convenience.
So having a reliable way to move out rabbits, including any with undesirable personalities, those with plain characteristics, DQs unsuitable for pethood, and so forth, has allowed me to improve my herd faster, both by giving me more time to evaluate rabbits and by making it easier to move out lower quality rabbits. When I started in rabbits, I would never have thought that finding someone to process culls would be part of the secret to success, but it really, really is.
Here are some ideas on finding a processor:
As I review where I started and where I am, I realize I've taken a huge step forward in my rabbitry in terms of rabbit quality. I cringe when I think of rabbits that I sold with pedigrees very early on. I hate that there are some rabbits out there with my name on them that I used to think were really nice, but would now probably pet out.
But in reality, no one can start with full knowledge of Holland lops or the well developed ability to evaluate them. Both things develop with time and are never completely finished. I know I'm still a work in progress!
I have no idea how many other large steps forward I may be able to take in the future. Perhaps one day I will laugh at myself for valuing the rabbits I value today. Who knows.
But from this particular vantage point, I see that some of the rabbits I used to pet out, I now send to be processed (although I have never sold pets with bad attitudes or health issues). Some of the rabbits I used to sell as breeding stock, I now pet out. Rabbits I used to keep in my herd, I now sell as breeding stock or occasionally as show stock (I label almost everything as breeding stock unless I feel that it has the potential to show well). And the types of rabbits I keep now, I didn't even produce a couple of years ago.
Two things have brought about these changes. First, I've figured out a few things about my rabbits and I've culled my herd aggressively to get it to where it is today, and I have a plan about where it is going tomorrow.
The second thing is that I've found someone to process my culls. And in truth, that has been as big a help as anything else I've done to improve my rabbits.
When I first got into rabbits, the idea of eating them repulsed me. I still don't eat them myself. I've always intellectually had no problem with it. I don't mind that they serve rabbit at rabbit shows. I don't have anything against any friend who butchers them or eats them. I just can't do it myself.
But since I've always believed that a clean kill is better than a poor life for animals, I at least had a starting point to deal with eventually sending healthy rabbits to their deaths. It was very hard for me at first. I felt guilty. But over time, it worked well for my rabbitry and I knew that none of the rabbits I sent to the processor were being attacked by dogs, neglected by someone who bought them on impulse, dying of a disease or anything else bad that might happen to them.
By having the processing option, I can also be very picky about who I sell pets to. I rarely take pets to shows anymore unless I have promised to bring one particularly for someone. I get to place my bunnies with people who bring me their cages to show what a special place they have prepared for him or ask me a million questions to make sure they've gotten it right. I get to sell my pets to people who send me photographs and let me know their special pet came through their neutering okay. I get to sell to people who will make a two-day trip to pick up their new pet rabbit.
I'd rather sell pets to families who are really ready to be devoted to their new rabbit and take the best of care of him, than to have to take anybody who is willing to relieve me of a bunny. And having a processor has done that for me.
When I was just starting in rabbits, I was aware that the ability to find a place for every rabbit that I could not use in my program was a requirement to continue to breed for the show quality ones that I aimed for. If all of the cages were full and I could not move out bunnies, I would have to slow down my breeding program or stop for awhile until I could find homes for the excess.
It made me antsy to evaluate those babies way too young. I had to know which were pets while they were cute and adorable so I could get them into pet homes while I still could! But I soon learned to slow down, take my time, and give the show quality rabbits time to develop first. I also developed my firm belief that rabbits shouldn't be petted out until they are older - for their own good, not just for my convenience.
So having a reliable way to move out rabbits, including any with undesirable personalities, those with plain characteristics, DQs unsuitable for pethood, and so forth, has allowed me to improve my herd faster, both by giving me more time to evaluate rabbits and by making it easier to move out lower quality rabbits. When I started in rabbits, I would never have thought that finding someone to process culls would be part of the secret to success, but it really, really is.
Here are some ideas on finding a processor:
- learn to butcher rabbits yourself and fill your own freezer
- see if there is a raptor center or zoo near you that will accept your rabbits
- check with breeders of commercial breeds; sometimes they can send your rabbits with theirs (non-commercial breeds may be used as pet food)
- find out who serves that rabbit meat at your rabbit shows; he or she may take your culls for you
- ask around in the community if anyone is interested in rabbits for meat (you may be able to get a few dollars this way)
- ask around at shows to find out how other breeders send their rabbits for processing
Once you find a reliable resource for processing your rabbits, you may be amazed at how much easier it is to cull. When deciding that a rabbit does not need to be part of your herd does not translate into "now what am I going to do with him?" it is just easier to make the determination. And you can start putting that cage space to much better use.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Holland Lops Of Distinction
Precious Pet Rabbits
Pet Rabbit Care Information, Quality Pet Rabbit Breeders, and Rabbit Fun
