The Nature Trail Rabbitry BLOG
Wednesday, May 31, 2006
Favorite Posts
I went through all of my BLOG posts yesterday. I was surprised to find that I've written nearly 300 of them! Yes, 300. Keeping in mind the posts that readers indicated were their favorites, I made a list of favorite posts (including my own favorites) and put with on the home page of my website.
It was quite a job to sort through all of the posts to find the ones with some enduring value. For those of you who started reading my BLOG after its beginning in August 2005, you can use the list to just read some of the better ones, without sifting through old show reports or information whose time has come and gone.
I've decided to take the summer off from blogging. My experience with my website is that visits are down until August when school starts. I could use the time to regenerate and store up new things to talk about. We all have plenty of summer activities ahead of us, I'm sure.
Never fear - I will post after any show that I attend. I wouldn't miss the chance to report on winnings or confess that I had a bad show! I have a couple lined up for June (shows, that is, not bad shows, I hope) and perhaps two more in August. You never know what might tempt me in July.
And I will announce new websites that are developed as they are ready to go live (I'm working on nine right now and expect another deposit very soon).
So I hope you will pop in every week to ten days to see what's going on. And then don't forget to come back the third week in August for the beginning of my second year as a BLOGGER. I'm sure to have some opinions that will rile folks up, some insight that might just be what you are looking for, a little humor to get us through the rough times, and more life as I experience it in my rabbitry.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
¶ 8:48 AM 0 comments links to this post
It was quite a job to sort through all of the posts to find the ones with some enduring value. For those of you who started reading my BLOG after its beginning in August 2005, you can use the list to just read some of the better ones, without sifting through old show reports or information whose time has come and gone.
I've decided to take the summer off from blogging. My experience with my website is that visits are down until August when school starts. I could use the time to regenerate and store up new things to talk about. We all have plenty of summer activities ahead of us, I'm sure.
Never fear - I will post after any show that I attend. I wouldn't miss the chance to report on winnings or confess that I had a bad show! I have a couple lined up for June (shows, that is, not bad shows, I hope) and perhaps two more in August. You never know what might tempt me in July.
And I will announce new websites that are developed as they are ready to go live (I'm working on nine right now and expect another deposit very soon).
So I hope you will pop in every week to ten days to see what's going on. And then don't forget to come back the third week in August for the beginning of my second year as a BLOGGER. I'm sure to have some opinions that will rile folks up, some insight that might just be what you are looking for, a little humor to get us through the rough times, and more life as I experience it in my rabbitry.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
¶ 8:48 AM 0 comments links to this post
Tuesday, May 30, 2006
Room To Name
I am so excited about the policy change going into effect on July 1, 2006. We will now be able to name our rabbits longer names - and get it all on the registration certificate! Yeah!
Currently, we are limited to 22 characters (letters and punctuation, but not spaces, as I understand it). I first ran into this rule when I registered The Nature Trail's Mercedes. Her name is one letter too long. I had to register her as Nature Trail's Mercedes. And I decided right then to name all of my rabbits with names seven letters or fewer in length.
But now, we have 8 more letters and/or characters to play with! I will be changing Mercedes' name for certain. While we will not be allowed to change names on existing rabbits, we can add to the existing name or make corrections (see page 15 of the current Domestic Rabbit - middle column - #2). I should be able to add the "The" back to her name for the sake of her offspring and descendent's registrations.
So, in honor of the change, I've named my most recent kits (The Nature Trail's Antony x GC The Nature Trail's May):
Currently, we are limited to 22 characters (letters and punctuation, but not spaces, as I understand it). I first ran into this rule when I registered The Nature Trail's Mercedes. Her name is one letter too long. I had to register her as Nature Trail's Mercedes. And I decided right then to name all of my rabbits with names seven letters or fewer in length.
But now, we have 8 more letters and/or characters to play with! I will be changing Mercedes' name for certain. While we will not be allowed to change names on existing rabbits, we can add to the existing name or make corrections (see page 15 of the current Domestic Rabbit - middle column - #2). I should be able to add the "The" back to her name for the sake of her offspring and descendent's registrations.
So, in honor of the change, I've named my most recent kits (The Nature Trail's Antony x GC The Nature Trail's May):
- The Nature Trail's Fiddlesticks
- The Nature Trail's Prince William
- The Nature Trail's Imagination
You can expect some polysyllabic expressions of exuberance on my part for say, oh, the next 50 kits or so. I'm loving it!
What's next? Nebuchadnezzar? Rumplestiltskin? Skimbleshanks? Rumpelteazer? Little Red Riding Hood?
No Red - it's still too long!
Laurie Stroupe T
he Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
Monday, May 29, 2006
I Passed!
When I went to the Judges Academy a little over a week ago, I asked participants to sign my petition to apply for my registrar's license. Partly, I did it that way because I hadn't gotten around to doing it before. Partly, I did it that way so that none of my friends would know that I had done it. You see, I took my test that Sunday. And if I had failed, I didn't want to have to tell everyone!
While I was there, I made arrangements with Bill Gendren to work with him at the Shelby show. I thought it would probably have to be for education rather than credit since, at that time, I didn't know whether I would pass or fail the exam.
Luckily, my packet arrived on Friday. It was a thick envelope, so I was pretty sure I passed. It doesn't take that much to say you failed! Sure enough, my sealed envelopes to give to three judges and one registrar were in there along with my score report. I actually passed with room to spare.
Let me back up a bit and talk about the testing just a bit. Tex Thomas was just examining judge. He did the oral portion of the test. I was extremely nervous - I just wasn't sure I was ready. But he really made me feel comfortable and made it as non-threatening as possible.
When I got to the written portion, I really wasn't sure whether I had studied enough or was "getting it." I had no idea what the answers were to the first two questions which made me absolutely sure that I had made a terrible mistake taking it so soon (Glen said he didn't recall ever getting an application one day and have the applicant test the very next!) But then I hit my stride. When I finished, I counted 40 questions that I knew I had gotten right, about 30 that I was pretty sure about. There were something in the neighborhood of 20 that I had narrowed down to two options. And there were ten that I had absolutely no idea about! It was just luck that two of them were the first two questions of my test.
Now back to that packet. I must work with three judges and pass under two of them. I work the entire show, whether the show lasts all day (as it did on Saturday) or whether it lasts a part of the day. I may continue to work the rest of the day, however, to increase the exposure to different breeds.
The show I worked with Bill on was a youth show. Some of the breeds and classes has very few animals in them. It was probably a good way to start so that I wasn't overwhelmed with huge numbers. And I was exposed to more breeds that way. It was fortunate for the exhibitors, but unfortunate for me that there were few DQs that day.
Bill was great at getting me involved. He made up his mind about his winner and then asked what I thought. Usually I had narrowed it down to the same animals, perhaps swapping the BOB and BOS. Sometimes he had picked my third choice. But at least I never picked something he placed at the bottom of the class. Even with the Best In Show, I had narrowed it down to three animals - and his BIS and BRIS were in there.
My biggest failure was trying to flip over that darn English lop. I never got it over in one smooth movement. My biggest success was getting the Flemish Giant over with ease. It boosted my confidence. Strangely enough, I had a devil of a time with those Netherlands. There's not enough ear to hold on to like I do with my Hollands! They kept slipping out!
I was appalled at some of the comments I heard coming over the table from the exhibitor side. I have not made up my mind about becoming a judge one day. There's not sense in giving it much thought right now because I would have to be a registrar for two years first anyway. But if I were to, I know I'd have to grow a much thicker skin. Of course, it was from the parents and not the youth.
My eyes are really open now to the role that the writer plays in a show. At the Judges Academy, they talked about the show rule in Section 41 about the show management providing suitable equipment and capable secretaries. This would be table secretaries, also called scribes or writers, as I understand it. The judges were in agreement that sponsoring clubs often expect them to train the writers, which is not their job.
I would definitely like to see the clubs I belong to offer training to writers. Writing as we do it here in the south should not be a passive job, just recording what you hear. Since we don't have separate ramrods, the writer should do both jobs, keeping the judge informed of the numbers in each class, letting exhibitors know where to put their rabbits so that the judge knows where the senior bucks are and where the junior bucks are. Sure, no one is going to mistake a four year old Holland for a junior, but you can certain mistake a young senior for a junior.
Anticipating classes so that they are queued up and ready to go is another huge issue that should be resolved. One judge mentioned that shows often waste ten minutes between breeds. If a judge evaluates six breeds in a day, they've lost an hour just waiting around for rabbits to come to the table - and then they call the judge slow!
It is really an eye opener to see a show from two feet behind the table as opposed to two feet in front of it.
Of course, I still have a lot to learn. I still have two more judges to work with. I hope to work with a judge in open with some larger classes so that I have more opportunity to see some scope and comparison. And I am seeking opportunities to learn about breeds from some of the more successful and experienced breeders. Never fear, I plan to learn about Netherland Dwarfs at the upcoming ND event at Gary & Susan Smith's home.
And if, over the next two year, I feel that I have the ability to evaluate other breeds and want to give up showing as much as I have, you just might find me taking a different sort of test - and starting the process all over again!
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
¶ 8:53 AM 1 comments links to this post
While I was there, I made arrangements with Bill Gendren to work with him at the Shelby show. I thought it would probably have to be for education rather than credit since, at that time, I didn't know whether I would pass or fail the exam.
Luckily, my packet arrived on Friday. It was a thick envelope, so I was pretty sure I passed. It doesn't take that much to say you failed! Sure enough, my sealed envelopes to give to three judges and one registrar were in there along with my score report. I actually passed with room to spare.
Let me back up a bit and talk about the testing just a bit. Tex Thomas was just examining judge. He did the oral portion of the test. I was extremely nervous - I just wasn't sure I was ready. But he really made me feel comfortable and made it as non-threatening as possible.
When I got to the written portion, I really wasn't sure whether I had studied enough or was "getting it." I had no idea what the answers were to the first two questions which made me absolutely sure that I had made a terrible mistake taking it so soon (Glen said he didn't recall ever getting an application one day and have the applicant test the very next!) But then I hit my stride. When I finished, I counted 40 questions that I knew I had gotten right, about 30 that I was pretty sure about. There were something in the neighborhood of 20 that I had narrowed down to two options. And there were ten that I had absolutely no idea about! It was just luck that two of them were the first two questions of my test.
Now back to that packet. I must work with three judges and pass under two of them. I work the entire show, whether the show lasts all day (as it did on Saturday) or whether it lasts a part of the day. I may continue to work the rest of the day, however, to increase the exposure to different breeds.
The show I worked with Bill on was a youth show. Some of the breeds and classes has very few animals in them. It was probably a good way to start so that I wasn't overwhelmed with huge numbers. And I was exposed to more breeds that way. It was fortunate for the exhibitors, but unfortunate for me that there were few DQs that day.
Bill was great at getting me involved. He made up his mind about his winner and then asked what I thought. Usually I had narrowed it down to the same animals, perhaps swapping the BOB and BOS. Sometimes he had picked my third choice. But at least I never picked something he placed at the bottom of the class. Even with the Best In Show, I had narrowed it down to three animals - and his BIS and BRIS were in there.
My biggest failure was trying to flip over that darn English lop. I never got it over in one smooth movement. My biggest success was getting the Flemish Giant over with ease. It boosted my confidence. Strangely enough, I had a devil of a time with those Netherlands. There's not enough ear to hold on to like I do with my Hollands! They kept slipping out!
I was appalled at some of the comments I heard coming over the table from the exhibitor side. I have not made up my mind about becoming a judge one day. There's not sense in giving it much thought right now because I would have to be a registrar for two years first anyway. But if I were to, I know I'd have to grow a much thicker skin. Of course, it was from the parents and not the youth.
My eyes are really open now to the role that the writer plays in a show. At the Judges Academy, they talked about the show rule in Section 41 about the show management providing suitable equipment and capable secretaries. This would be table secretaries, also called scribes or writers, as I understand it. The judges were in agreement that sponsoring clubs often expect them to train the writers, which is not their job.
I would definitely like to see the clubs I belong to offer training to writers. Writing as we do it here in the south should not be a passive job, just recording what you hear. Since we don't have separate ramrods, the writer should do both jobs, keeping the judge informed of the numbers in each class, letting exhibitors know where to put their rabbits so that the judge knows where the senior bucks are and where the junior bucks are. Sure, no one is going to mistake a four year old Holland for a junior, but you can certain mistake a young senior for a junior.
Anticipating classes so that they are queued up and ready to go is another huge issue that should be resolved. One judge mentioned that shows often waste ten minutes between breeds. If a judge evaluates six breeds in a day, they've lost an hour just waiting around for rabbits to come to the table - and then they call the judge slow!
It is really an eye opener to see a show from two feet behind the table as opposed to two feet in front of it.
Of course, I still have a lot to learn. I still have two more judges to work with. I hope to work with a judge in open with some larger classes so that I have more opportunity to see some scope and comparison. And I am seeking opportunities to learn about breeds from some of the more successful and experienced breeders. Never fear, I plan to learn about Netherland Dwarfs at the upcoming ND event at Gary & Susan Smith's home.
And if, over the next two year, I feel that I have the ability to evaluate other breeds and want to give up showing as much as I have, you just might find me taking a different sort of test - and starting the process all over again!
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
¶ 8:53 AM 1 comments links to this post
Friday, May 26, 2006
Share The Feeling
I had visitors to my barn yesterday. Linda and Larry Strahler came by on their way home from visiting their son in Cary, NC. I had first met Linda at Holland Lop Nationals 2005 and invited them to come by should they ever visit him. I'm so glad that they did.
Of course, I made Linda and Larry look at every single rabbit in the barn (with the exception of four kits still in the nest box!!) Linda is the Holland breeder in the family. She was very gracious, ooohing and aaaahing at appropriate intervals. While we were looking, she mentioned that there are few Holland breeders in her area. That means that there are few opportunities for her to feel other people's Hollands.
That is such a shame. One of the biggest learning tools we have is to feel other Hollands. One of the biggest ways to get useful feedback is to get other breeders to feels ours.
I have a friend who made a visit to the western portion of the country. He had hoped to visit the rabbitry of a prominent rabbit breeder while he was there. Unfortunately, the breeder was not able to receive him. What a shame it was that he lost that rare opportunity. He could have learned so much.
I would encourage every breeder to open their rabbitries for visits. I know that it is time consuming. But be honest: how tired is your family of your rabbit talk? Your rabbit barn visitors will talk rabbits with you the entire time and never look at their watch!
I find that I look at my rabbits better when I am showing them to someone else. So I always learn something about my rabbits or at least get to know my juniors a bit better.
If you are a prominent breeder with less to learn than a beginner, then consider the opportunity you are providing to promote your breed. And if you are a beginner, don't think that you have nothing to contribute. There's always someone newer than you. And your visitors may have some insight into your rabbitry or rabbits that may help you.
Consider this your official invitation to visit my rabbitry if you are ever in the area. If I am in town, I would be pleased to have you come by. Be warned: it is required that you oooh and aaah over my rabbits, though. But no purchase is required.
We learn when we share, we learn when we teach, we learn when others share with us, and we learn when others teach us. Any time we get the chance to "share the feeling," we increase the total fund of rabbit knowledge available to our breed. And that has to have a positive impact on our hobby.
So go ahead and share the feeling - feeling rabbits, that is!
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
¶ 8:38 AM 2 comments links to this post
Of course, I made Linda and Larry look at every single rabbit in the barn (with the exception of four kits still in the nest box!!) Linda is the Holland breeder in the family. She was very gracious, ooohing and aaaahing at appropriate intervals. While we were looking, she mentioned that there are few Holland breeders in her area. That means that there are few opportunities for her to feel other people's Hollands.
That is such a shame. One of the biggest learning tools we have is to feel other Hollands. One of the biggest ways to get useful feedback is to get other breeders to feels ours.
I have a friend who made a visit to the western portion of the country. He had hoped to visit the rabbitry of a prominent rabbit breeder while he was there. Unfortunately, the breeder was not able to receive him. What a shame it was that he lost that rare opportunity. He could have learned so much.
I would encourage every breeder to open their rabbitries for visits. I know that it is time consuming. But be honest: how tired is your family of your rabbit talk? Your rabbit barn visitors will talk rabbits with you the entire time and never look at their watch!
I find that I look at my rabbits better when I am showing them to someone else. So I always learn something about my rabbits or at least get to know my juniors a bit better.
If you are a prominent breeder with less to learn than a beginner, then consider the opportunity you are providing to promote your breed. And if you are a beginner, don't think that you have nothing to contribute. There's always someone newer than you. And your visitors may have some insight into your rabbitry or rabbits that may help you.
Consider this your official invitation to visit my rabbitry if you are ever in the area. If I am in town, I would be pleased to have you come by. Be warned: it is required that you oooh and aaah over my rabbits, though. But no purchase is required.
We learn when we share, we learn when we teach, we learn when others share with us, and we learn when others teach us. Any time we get the chance to "share the feeling," we increase the total fund of rabbit knowledge available to our breed. And that has to have a positive impact on our hobby.
So go ahead and share the feeling - feeling rabbits, that is!
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
¶ 8:38 AM 2 comments links to this post
Thursday, May 25, 2006
Show Rules, Part II
There are several other show rules that I believe are important and often missed or misunderstood.
Section 57 says that it is considered unethical for a judge to comment on a placement of another judge. The only exception is if they are serving on a protest committee.
Although I have never heard a judge comment on a particular decision of a judge at a particular show, I'm sure they can be tempted to do so. We as exhibitors should be aware that if we are baiting a judge to make a comment on a rabbit that has been judged, we are putting a judge in an awkward position. His or her response should be, "Was that rabbit entered in today's show?" If it was, the conversation should be over.
It is fine to ask a judge for an opinion on a rabbit that has not been entered. You want to wait until a time when the judge is not occupied. And you should only bring unusual cases or rabbits that are not showable to a judge. Otherwise, pay for that opinion by entering the rabbit. Judges get paid for giving their opinions and should not have to judge a string of freebies on the side.
But most judges are interested in educating breeders. So if you are not sure whether something is a disqualification or you are new enough that you can't figure out whether a rabbit shows promise, go ahead and ask. Just make sure that rabbit is not entered in that day's show.
Once judges place rabbits, they cannot change their minds, right? Wrong. Once judges place the first place rabbit, they cannot change their minds. Right? Nope, that's wrong, too. Section 60 says that judges have the right to change placements until the breed is complete. That means until the BOS and BOB have been awarded, a judge can change the placement at will.
Of course, it's not a good idea for judges to continually change their minds. It would undermine their credibility. But things do happen. A judge could notice a disqualification, for example. Or a judge on another table could disqualify an entire entry for faking. Once I had a rabbit placed first, but I had to go up and say that my other rabbit was still in the coops behind the judge and had not been placed. I had thought that things were locked in once first place was chosen. But in fact, all the judge needed to do (and did) was get the other rabbit and place it where he wanted her, then readjust the others. What had happened was that he had found her early and set her aside for first place. Then he forgot about her! So, he put her first (and BOSG later on) and moved the others down one placement.
Should judges be strict in close calls or give the rabbit the benefit of the doubt? Check out Section 61 and you will find that judges should give rabbits the benefit of the doubt. I've heard judges announce that they'll give the benefit of the doubt, but I had no idea it was part of their training and the show rules to do so.
Is it an ARBA rule that youth must carry their own rabbits to the table? That's a tough one because it is a rule at most or all of the shows I attend. But no, it is not an ARBA rule exactly. What Section 52 states is that youth exhibitors must be able to handle their own rabbit. So if you have a one-year-old showing and he or she cannot even handle a rabbit, you might want to refer to this rule.
The rule goes on to state that if the show catalog stipulates it (see Section 16), then the rabbits must be carried by youth. So really, it is up to the local clubs to decide. But in any case, youth are not required to carry their own animals. They may receive help from another youth.
Under Section 55, judges may not judge rabbits that they have owned or housed in the past 90 days. If you purchase a rabbit from a judge, do not put the judge in an awkward position by showing the rabbit under him or her. When multiple judges are available for a show, you may not be able to predict whether you will be assigned that particular judge. If it happens, go to the show secretary and explain that the rabbit is not eligible to be shown under that judge. You should be able to secure a refund.
But what about rabbits purchased 95 days ago? Sure, you are within your rights to show under that judge. However, you still may be placing the judge in a position where it is appears that he or she is showing favoritism. Yes, I've seen judges express surprise when they read the ear number and realize it was "their" rabbit. But the comments away from the table are generally, "Well of course he likes that one, it's his rabbit!" Just avoid that sticky wicket altogether.
Section 67 says that judges must give remarks. Have you ever written for a judge and had him or her give you the remarks, even though there is no one around and it is not a remark card show? Now you know why. Giving remarks is not optional. A judge who says, "Last place," and hands you your rabbit back is failing to abide by Section 67. Luckily this problem is rare, but it should never happen.
Now about yesterday's parting remarks. Section 45 talks about exhibitors attempting to , or actually, interfering with judges, influencing judges, molesting judges, or "acting in a manner unbecoming to an exhibitor." A judge can have your entire entry disqualified and you banned from the showroom. In fact, if the problem is severe enough, you could be suspended or expelled from ARBA. So when it comes to molesting judges, don't do it!!
Of course, that's not normally the problem. The main problem area is exhibitors trying to influence judges. Exhibitors use many subtle and not-so-subtle methods for influencing judges. The long-term thinking exhibitors may let the judge know that the rabbit they just placed second has 50 legs and try to make the judge feel that he or she made a bad decision. Perhaps they think that the judge won't make that mistake again! Others may stand over their rabbits, attempting to let the judge know that a prominent breeder owns that rabbit. Still others habitually hold their rabbits to be placed on the table last, letting the judge, once again, know which rabbit is theirs. Comments urging judges to "check the teeth," or "that rabbit was overweight last weekend," are totally out of place. In my opinion, such comments should earn an escort to the door.
Exhibitors do talk at the table. If you want to have a discussion about last week's wins or which of your rabbits has 20 legs, then step away from the table or lower your voice so that only the person next to you can hear. But beware of that option. Some judges assume that you are talking about them! Well meaning friends may ask you awkward questions at the table. Just reply that you don't want to get into trouble for identifying your rabbit and then step back to answer their questions.
Now I'm sure you want to know about the dead rabbit situation.
First of all, Section 24 states that we all show and judge at our own risk. While judges and exhibitors should take care, things can and do happen. No one will make restitution if your rabbit dies at a show. The most that will happen is that a report will be written. (If your rabbit is injured by a judge, be sure to get a note, which will allow you to register, but now show that rabbit in the future without regard to any DQ resulting from the injury.)
If a rabbit dies during a show, the rabbit cannot continue to be placed. However, any previous awards should not be removed. But remember that a judge can change placements until the BOS and BOB have been chosen.
Glen Carr told us a story about a cavy show. The judge was choosing the Best In Show and noticed his favorite gasping for air. He quickly pointed to the cavy and said, "Best In Show!" whereupon the cavy promptly died. Had he waited a few seconds more, he could not have chosen that cavy as Best In Show!
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
¶ 8:12 AM 0 comments links to this post
Section 57 says that it is considered unethical for a judge to comment on a placement of another judge. The only exception is if they are serving on a protest committee.
Although I have never heard a judge comment on a particular decision of a judge at a particular show, I'm sure they can be tempted to do so. We as exhibitors should be aware that if we are baiting a judge to make a comment on a rabbit that has been judged, we are putting a judge in an awkward position. His or her response should be, "Was that rabbit entered in today's show?" If it was, the conversation should be over.
It is fine to ask a judge for an opinion on a rabbit that has not been entered. You want to wait until a time when the judge is not occupied. And you should only bring unusual cases or rabbits that are not showable to a judge. Otherwise, pay for that opinion by entering the rabbit. Judges get paid for giving their opinions and should not have to judge a string of freebies on the side.
But most judges are interested in educating breeders. So if you are not sure whether something is a disqualification or you are new enough that you can't figure out whether a rabbit shows promise, go ahead and ask. Just make sure that rabbit is not entered in that day's show.
Once judges place rabbits, they cannot change their minds, right? Wrong. Once judges place the first place rabbit, they cannot change their minds. Right? Nope, that's wrong, too. Section 60 says that judges have the right to change placements until the breed is complete. That means until the BOS and BOB have been awarded, a judge can change the placement at will.
Of course, it's not a good idea for judges to continually change their minds. It would undermine their credibility. But things do happen. A judge could notice a disqualification, for example. Or a judge on another table could disqualify an entire entry for faking. Once I had a rabbit placed first, but I had to go up and say that my other rabbit was still in the coops behind the judge and had not been placed. I had thought that things were locked in once first place was chosen. But in fact, all the judge needed to do (and did) was get the other rabbit and place it where he wanted her, then readjust the others. What had happened was that he had found her early and set her aside for first place. Then he forgot about her! So, he put her first (and BOSG later on) and moved the others down one placement.
Should judges be strict in close calls or give the rabbit the benefit of the doubt? Check out Section 61 and you will find that judges should give rabbits the benefit of the doubt. I've heard judges announce that they'll give the benefit of the doubt, but I had no idea it was part of their training and the show rules to do so.
Is it an ARBA rule that youth must carry their own rabbits to the table? That's a tough one because it is a rule at most or all of the shows I attend. But no, it is not an ARBA rule exactly. What Section 52 states is that youth exhibitors must be able to handle their own rabbit. So if you have a one-year-old showing and he or she cannot even handle a rabbit, you might want to refer to this rule.
The rule goes on to state that if the show catalog stipulates it (see Section 16), then the rabbits must be carried by youth. So really, it is up to the local clubs to decide. But in any case, youth are not required to carry their own animals. They may receive help from another youth.
Under Section 55, judges may not judge rabbits that they have owned or housed in the past 90 days. If you purchase a rabbit from a judge, do not put the judge in an awkward position by showing the rabbit under him or her. When multiple judges are available for a show, you may not be able to predict whether you will be assigned that particular judge. If it happens, go to the show secretary and explain that the rabbit is not eligible to be shown under that judge. You should be able to secure a refund.
But what about rabbits purchased 95 days ago? Sure, you are within your rights to show under that judge. However, you still may be placing the judge in a position where it is appears that he or she is showing favoritism. Yes, I've seen judges express surprise when they read the ear number and realize it was "their" rabbit. But the comments away from the table are generally, "Well of course he likes that one, it's his rabbit!" Just avoid that sticky wicket altogether.
Section 67 says that judges must give remarks. Have you ever written for a judge and had him or her give you the remarks, even though there is no one around and it is not a remark card show? Now you know why. Giving remarks is not optional. A judge who says, "Last place," and hands you your rabbit back is failing to abide by Section 67. Luckily this problem is rare, but it should never happen.
Now about yesterday's parting remarks. Section 45 talks about exhibitors attempting to , or actually, interfering with judges, influencing judges, molesting judges, or "acting in a manner unbecoming to an exhibitor." A judge can have your entire entry disqualified and you banned from the showroom. In fact, if the problem is severe enough, you could be suspended or expelled from ARBA. So when it comes to molesting judges, don't do it!!
Of course, that's not normally the problem. The main problem area is exhibitors trying to influence judges. Exhibitors use many subtle and not-so-subtle methods for influencing judges. The long-term thinking exhibitors may let the judge know that the rabbit they just placed second has 50 legs and try to make the judge feel that he or she made a bad decision. Perhaps they think that the judge won't make that mistake again! Others may stand over their rabbits, attempting to let the judge know that a prominent breeder owns that rabbit. Still others habitually hold their rabbits to be placed on the table last, letting the judge, once again, know which rabbit is theirs. Comments urging judges to "check the teeth," or "that rabbit was overweight last weekend," are totally out of place. In my opinion, such comments should earn an escort to the door.
Exhibitors do talk at the table. If you want to have a discussion about last week's wins or which of your rabbits has 20 legs, then step away from the table or lower your voice so that only the person next to you can hear. But beware of that option. Some judges assume that you are talking about them! Well meaning friends may ask you awkward questions at the table. Just reply that you don't want to get into trouble for identifying your rabbit and then step back to answer their questions.
Now I'm sure you want to know about the dead rabbit situation.
First of all, Section 24 states that we all show and judge at our own risk. While judges and exhibitors should take care, things can and do happen. No one will make restitution if your rabbit dies at a show. The most that will happen is that a report will be written. (If your rabbit is injured by a judge, be sure to get a note, which will allow you to register, but now show that rabbit in the future without regard to any DQ resulting from the injury.)
If a rabbit dies during a show, the rabbit cannot continue to be placed. However, any previous awards should not be removed. But remember that a judge can change placements until the BOS and BOB have been chosen.
Glen Carr told us a story about a cavy show. The judge was choosing the Best In Show and noticed his favorite gasping for air. He quickly pointed to the cavy and said, "Best In Show!" whereupon the cavy promptly died. Had he waited a few seconds more, he could not have chosen that cavy as Best In Show!
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
¶ 8:12 AM 0 comments links to this post
Wednesday, May 24, 2006
Show Rules Quiz
One of the subjects we reviewed this past weekend at the Judges Academy was show rules. I definitely learned a few things. Let's see how well you do with my little quiz.
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design ¶ 10:02 AM 0 comments links to this post
- Where can you find a copy of the show rules?
- How many rabbits must be judged in a breed before the sponsoring club is required to pay the awards required by the specialty clubs?
- It is mandatory to choose a Best Reserve In Show rabbit?
- Judges must award the Best Of Breed in each breed. Are ARBA judges authorized to pick a "Best Opposite Sex Junior," if requested by the sponsoring club?
- We all know that you may substitute a rabbit of the same sex, class, variety, group, and breed for the one you entered. Is there a situation in which this is not allowed?
- Do the rules say that a rabbit with an illegible tattoo may be disqualified or must be disqualified?
- Who is responsible for making sure that diseased rabbits are removed from the showroom?
- Can rabbits be entered under a rabbitry name only?
- If a judge determines that you have been faking (plucking, dying, trimming or any other action designed to deceive), can he or she disqualify that rabbit or your entire entry?
- True or false: As long as you are willing to risk $25, you can protest anything at a show.
Here are the answers:
- You can find a copy of the show rules in your year book.
- Section 9: There must be ten or more animals judged before a sponsoring club is required to honor the minimum awards required by specialty clubs. If the sponsoring club had the award donated, then the award is given regardless of the number of animals judged. Nothing prevents a club from making the award if they choose, however.
- Section 10: It is mandatory to select a Best In Show. It is not mandatory to select a Best Reserve. [However, some specialty clubs award quality points for BRIS, so a club would be foolish, in my opinion, not to. You do not get a leg for BRIS, which is generally not an issue with Hollands since the leg is almost always won already.]
- Section 11: Yes, choosing Best Junior, Best Intermediate, and Best Senior are real awards recognized by ARBA. If there is more than one variety, then the best opposites of these can also be selected.
- Section 23: Substitutions can no longer be made once judging for that breed commences.
- Section 26 (a): Rabbits with illegible tattoos must be disqualified. However, the judge gets to determine what illegible is.
- Section 27: Show management is responsible for removing diseased and unsightly specimens from the show room. [If you see a diseased rabbit, go to the show superintendent and not the judge. It is a judge's responsibility to DQ what they observe, not to police the showroom.]
- Section 30: All animals must be the bona fide property of the exhibitor prior to entry. Even if they bought the rabbit at 8:00 a.m. that morning (before entry), they may be considered to be the bona fide owner. It must be entered under each owner's name. A rabbitry name may be listed in addition to the owners' names.
- Section 47: A judge may disqualify the rabbit or the entire entry at his or her discretion. What that means is that your entire entry is at risk if you are discovered to be faking. [It is in your best interest to respond politely to the judge, who may be taking your attitude into account when deciding whether it should be the rabbit or the entry that goes.]
- Section 48: False. Only certain things are protestable. There is a long list of items that are considered to be left to the judge's discretion. There are only 3 categories of protestable reasons. If a judge placed a DQ'd rabbit, you may protest. If you feel that the judge has been fraudulent, you may protest. You may also protest if a rabbit has been wrongfully disqualified. That's where we run into the long list of disqualifications that are not protestable. Check out page 24 of your Standard of Perfection. You cannot protest for general ailments such as slobbers or pot belly, colds, tumors, swellings, hernias, eye discharge, abnormalities, tattoos, blindness, dewlaps, crooked legs, ear carriage, torn ears, simple malocclusion, sore hocks, broken or missing teeth, screw tail or bobtail, missing toenails, excessive white hairs, foreign spots, unworthy of award, and more.
Note that you must file your protest within two hours!
There are many other interesting show rules. Do you know what happens if a rabbit dies on the show table? How about an injury that occurs at the show? What does the standard say about molesting judges?
Take some time to read and find out!
Laurie StroupeThe Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design ¶ 10:02 AM 0 comments links to this post
Tuesday, May 23, 2006
Judges Academy
WOW!
I can't remember the last time I learned so much information in one weekend. My brain feels jam-packed. I hope that when it settles down, I can recall even 1/10 of it all!
I started my trip at 2:30 a.m. on Friday morning. After driving to Charlotte and flying to Atlanta, I arrived in Bloomington mid-morning. Glen Carr graciously picked me up at the airport and took me to headquarters.
I spent the remainder of the morning in the library. What a fascinating place! I understand there are plans to expand the library and I can tell that the expansion is really needed. Every shelf, nook, and cranny is filled with interesting books and items.
I particularly enjoyed a miniature model of a judging set-up, complete with hanging scales. It was obviously from a time well before my own, but the judging coops looked identical to many I've seen. It's funny how some things change and some things stay the same.
Briony and Sharon Barnes - Sharon being a member of the library committee - were there working at the library, which was an extra treat, since they were able to point out some of their favorite items in the library. Sharon came across standards of perfection for breeding skunks while I was there, from the first half of the last century. Any ideas about why that never caught on?
Another interesting idea - one whose day has definitely passed - was a Butchering Certificate, which entitled the bearer to butcher his rabbit before the next show so that the rabbit wouldn't continue to clog up the show table. It's hysterical to see that anyone ever did such a thing. I don't think that will be making a comeback, however.
After visiting the library, I went to lunch with Sharon and Briony, and Brad and Katie Boyce. Brad is the Executive Director-elect for the ARBA. It was a pleasure to get to know them a little bit.
Since I had been up since 1:00 a.m., central daylight savings time (my time zone for the weekend), I was happy to finally check in to my hotel room and take a nap. I did wake up in time to catch a great Braves game on television. I did have to give it up near midnight when the Diamondbacks tied it up (again) in the bottom of the ninth. I found out two days later that my team lost. It's a good thing I didn't lose any more sleep on it since I needed all of my energy for the next day.
The presenters were Glen Carr, Randy Shumaker, Tex Thomas, and Eric Stewart. After Glen went over some basics for getting ready to judge, Randy and then Eric presented on fur. Eric brought several wool samples, which really helped me understand a lot more about the various wool breeds. Maybe I'll have a better chance to evaluate the fur on my fuzzy Hollands now. Who knows.
The day got better and better as the presentations became more hands on. I gave comments to a class of two rabbits and was struck about how hard it is to do. We learned how to give the most important comment first, be consistent in our format, make sure that what we say is really there, and to avoid saying, "I like," which is really hard to do.
I'd love to see more judges give the most important comment first (the main reason the rabbit was placed where it is), then comment on each rabbit in a systematic way. Often, you can't tell why your rabbit was 19th when the comments were so similar to the rabbit that was placed 2nd. Also, we were encouraged to be descriptive rather than just say "good" or "fair." Why were the shoulders just fair? Wouldn't we all love to have judges give us more useful feedback?
Participants were warned not to just say "good head and ear" by rote. AMEN! There are a number of classes where head and ear have few points (perhaps as few as 3 points). But judges continue that method when they get to Hollands, mini-lops, and American fuzzy lops. There is often too much tendency to just gloss over the head and ears - that's half of my hard work!!!
After dinner at a Chinese buffet, we continued working with rabbits into the evening. I had absolutely no trouble sleeping that night, I assure you!
The next day gave us opportunities to review show rules and to ask questions of all of the presenters. Glen Carr showed us one of his Thriantas (Tree ON ta). I went over the six Dutch markings a number of times. I fell in love with satins, enjoying the opportunity to see five different satin coats, seeing the strengths and weaknesses of each. I got to see some rex fur, English Spot handling, and posing of Britannia Petites.
There was much, much more, but I'd have to go to my notes to make a stab at it all.
In short, it was extremely worthwhile. I am very energized about rabbits. For the first time, I can even see perhaps one day raising another breed. Maybe.
I was so pleased to see 17 participants there. Many were ready to take their judge's exam. Some were already judges. I am gratified to see that there are people interested in judging and committed to continuing education. Too many times, it seems that judges have stopped wanting to learn. And many of those are in need of honing their skills the most.
I spent the evening at my hotel and finally got to see the Braves win. I was up at 4:15 the next morning to retrace my steps back to Atlanta, then to Charlotte, and then the two hour drive home. I arrived exhausted, but very satisfied with a weekend well spent.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
¶ 9:13 AM 1 comments links to this post
I can't remember the last time I learned so much information in one weekend. My brain feels jam-packed. I hope that when it settles down, I can recall even 1/10 of it all!
I started my trip at 2:30 a.m. on Friday morning. After driving to Charlotte and flying to Atlanta, I arrived in Bloomington mid-morning. Glen Carr graciously picked me up at the airport and took me to headquarters.
I spent the remainder of the morning in the library. What a fascinating place! I understand there are plans to expand the library and I can tell that the expansion is really needed. Every shelf, nook, and cranny is filled with interesting books and items.
I particularly enjoyed a miniature model of a judging set-up, complete with hanging scales. It was obviously from a time well before my own, but the judging coops looked identical to many I've seen. It's funny how some things change and some things stay the same.
Briony and Sharon Barnes - Sharon being a member of the library committee - were there working at the library, which was an extra treat, since they were able to point out some of their favorite items in the library. Sharon came across standards of perfection for breeding skunks while I was there, from the first half of the last century. Any ideas about why that never caught on?
Another interesting idea - one whose day has definitely passed - was a Butchering Certificate, which entitled the bearer to butcher his rabbit before the next show so that the rabbit wouldn't continue to clog up the show table. It's hysterical to see that anyone ever did such a thing. I don't think that will be making a comeback, however.
After visiting the library, I went to lunch with Sharon and Briony, and Brad and Katie Boyce. Brad is the Executive Director-elect for the ARBA. It was a pleasure to get to know them a little bit.
Since I had been up since 1:00 a.m., central daylight savings time (my time zone for the weekend), I was happy to finally check in to my hotel room and take a nap. I did wake up in time to catch a great Braves game on television. I did have to give it up near midnight when the Diamondbacks tied it up (again) in the bottom of the ninth. I found out two days later that my team lost. It's a good thing I didn't lose any more sleep on it since I needed all of my energy for the next day.
The presenters were Glen Carr, Randy Shumaker, Tex Thomas, and Eric Stewart. After Glen went over some basics for getting ready to judge, Randy and then Eric presented on fur. Eric brought several wool samples, which really helped me understand a lot more about the various wool breeds. Maybe I'll have a better chance to evaluate the fur on my fuzzy Hollands now. Who knows.
The day got better and better as the presentations became more hands on. I gave comments to a class of two rabbits and was struck about how hard it is to do. We learned how to give the most important comment first, be consistent in our format, make sure that what we say is really there, and to avoid saying, "I like," which is really hard to do.
I'd love to see more judges give the most important comment first (the main reason the rabbit was placed where it is), then comment on each rabbit in a systematic way. Often, you can't tell why your rabbit was 19th when the comments were so similar to the rabbit that was placed 2nd. Also, we were encouraged to be descriptive rather than just say "good" or "fair." Why were the shoulders just fair? Wouldn't we all love to have judges give us more useful feedback?
Participants were warned not to just say "good head and ear" by rote. AMEN! There are a number of classes where head and ear have few points (perhaps as few as 3 points). But judges continue that method when they get to Hollands, mini-lops, and American fuzzy lops. There is often too much tendency to just gloss over the head and ears - that's half of my hard work!!!
After dinner at a Chinese buffet, we continued working with rabbits into the evening. I had absolutely no trouble sleeping that night, I assure you!
The next day gave us opportunities to review show rules and to ask questions of all of the presenters. Glen Carr showed us one of his Thriantas (Tree ON ta). I went over the six Dutch markings a number of times. I fell in love with satins, enjoying the opportunity to see five different satin coats, seeing the strengths and weaknesses of each. I got to see some rex fur, English Spot handling, and posing of Britannia Petites.
There was much, much more, but I'd have to go to my notes to make a stab at it all.
In short, it was extremely worthwhile. I am very energized about rabbits. For the first time, I can even see perhaps one day raising another breed. Maybe.
I was so pleased to see 17 participants there. Many were ready to take their judge's exam. Some were already judges. I am gratified to see that there are people interested in judging and committed to continuing education. Too many times, it seems that judges have stopped wanting to learn. And many of those are in need of honing their skills the most.
I spent the evening at my hotel and finally got to see the Braves win. I was up at 4:15 the next morning to retrace my steps back to Atlanta, then to Charlotte, and then the two hour drive home. I arrived exhausted, but very satisfied with a weekend well spent.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
¶ 9:13 AM 1 comments links to this post
Thursday, May 18, 2006
Notice
I hope you enjoy today's post below, "The Basics." It will be the last one until Tuesday, May 23, 2006. I am leaving tomorrow to go to Bloomington, Illinois, for a Judges Academy. I hope to learn a lot and come back to share some great information with you.
Laurie ¶ 10:34 AM 0 comments links to this post
Laurie ¶ 10:34 AM 0 comments links to this post
The Basics
What do rabbits really need? What are the basics, anyway? Ask ten breeders and you might get ten different answers, but here are mine.
Water
It is my opinion that water is the most important of the basics. A clean, consistent water supply is essential to general health and good condition. I believe the water should be consistent both in its availability and in its quality. That is, giving well water one week, and chlorinated water the next, and filtered the next is not consistent in quality. The water will vary in bacteria, chemicals, and minerals.
A Holland needs about 1/2 cup of water per day. So I make sure they have at least one cup per adult rabbit. I have an automatic watering system, but I am liberal in the use of crocks as well. Since I recently wrote about water in detail, I'll not expound any further.
Feed
Although it is possible to raise rabbits on vegetables and complex, varied diets, the basics would be pelleted feed. I think that Hollands thrive best on lower protein feeds. I have used a 16% feed with satisfaction. I now use a higher level protein, but unlimited hay and probiotics plus no carbohydrate treats make that work, in my opinion. It's very easy to push a Holland on a high protein feed over the edge into enteritis or other problems otherwise.
It is extremely important that you feed the correct amount of feed. Non-lactating adult rabbits should never be free-fed, in my opinion. That leads to an excess of cecal matter and an imbalance in the hind gut.
But neither should rabbits be underfed. Read the recommendation by the maker of your feed. Feed amounts are generally given in ounces by weight. That means you need to weigh your feed! I think that generally 3 oz. of feed is appropriate for a Holland lop. But that might be 1/3 cup in one brand, 1/2 cup in another, and, as it is with the extruded feed I use, 3/4 cup!
Hay
If you feed a lower protein diet and don't give carbohydrate treats or conditioners, you might get away with feeding little or not hay. I say "might" because you'll never know until you start losing rabbits. It's not worth the risk to me.
I do think that the higher your protein level or the larger the proportion of carbohydrate treats in the rabbit's diet, the more they need their hay.
Rabbits need a high fiber, relatively low protein, low fat, low carbohydrate diet. Hay fits that profile perfectly.
Protection
Here's a quick list of what a rabbit should be protected from:
Water
It is my opinion that water is the most important of the basics. A clean, consistent water supply is essential to general health and good condition. I believe the water should be consistent both in its availability and in its quality. That is, giving well water one week, and chlorinated water the next, and filtered the next is not consistent in quality. The water will vary in bacteria, chemicals, and minerals.
A Holland needs about 1/2 cup of water per day. So I make sure they have at least one cup per adult rabbit. I have an automatic watering system, but I am liberal in the use of crocks as well. Since I recently wrote about water in detail, I'll not expound any further.
Feed
Although it is possible to raise rabbits on vegetables and complex, varied diets, the basics would be pelleted feed. I think that Hollands thrive best on lower protein feeds. I have used a 16% feed with satisfaction. I now use a higher level protein, but unlimited hay and probiotics plus no carbohydrate treats make that work, in my opinion. It's very easy to push a Holland on a high protein feed over the edge into enteritis or other problems otherwise.
It is extremely important that you feed the correct amount of feed. Non-lactating adult rabbits should never be free-fed, in my opinion. That leads to an excess of cecal matter and an imbalance in the hind gut.
But neither should rabbits be underfed. Read the recommendation by the maker of your feed. Feed amounts are generally given in ounces by weight. That means you need to weigh your feed! I think that generally 3 oz. of feed is appropriate for a Holland lop. But that might be 1/3 cup in one brand, 1/2 cup in another, and, as it is with the extruded feed I use, 3/4 cup!
Hay
If you feed a lower protein diet and don't give carbohydrate treats or conditioners, you might get away with feeding little or not hay. I say "might" because you'll never know until you start losing rabbits. It's not worth the risk to me.
I do think that the higher your protein level or the larger the proportion of carbohydrate treats in the rabbit's diet, the more they need their hay.
Rabbits need a high fiber, relatively low protein, low fat, low carbohydrate diet. Hay fits that profile perfectly.
Protection
Here's a quick list of what a rabbit should be protected from:
- Wind
- Draft in cold weather
- Precipitation/dampness
- Direct sunshine
- Heat
- Predators
- Sudden noises and/or movement
Protection from wind can come from being inside a house or barn or from being covered with a tarp. I've read that one solid side and a top are sufficient. I think that two adjoining solid sides is better; it gives them a corner to snuggle into.
Rabbits inside a barn may still be in a drafty place. That might be great in the summer. They'll love the air movement then. But in the cold, that can cause a problem. A draft reduces the rabbit's ability to conserve its own body heat. You can stop the draft, move the cage, or give the rabbit a small enclosure where it can go to get out of the draft.
Rabbits cannot maintain their body head efficiently if they are wet. While a mild mist in very hot weather is unlikely to cause a problem, being damp in the winter is deadly.
A rabbit exposed to direct sunlight with no place to get into the shade can die on a relatively cool day. It doesn't need to be 95 degrees to be a problem. Take sun exposure very seriously and give all of your rabbits shade.
Visitors to my barn are often concerned about the weather being too cold for their rabbits. Their concern is totally misplaced. As long as the rabbit is dry, out of a draft, and has some way to conserve body heat, it doesn't get too cold in most places in the US for that to be a real concern. But almost every place in the US gets hot enough to kill a rabbit. Heat is the much bigger enemy.
Fans, misters, swamp coolers, ice packs, and large crocks of icy water can all be used to help your rabbit stay cool. We place the sprinkler on top of the barn on hot days in the summer and that cools things down a few degrees.
I used to think that raccoons were so cute - that is, until I learned that they will reach those cute little hands right into a nest box and steal away my kits! Cats, dogs, raccoons, snakes, rats, and much more would love to get their paws, teeth, or scales on your bunnies. And animals such as dogs need not even touch your rabbits to kill them.
Don't wait until you've lost rabbits or your rabbits have lost toes to fence your hutch area or to block the entrances to your barn. I personally need to take this advice and reinforce the rocks around the base of the barn, which are there to discourage animals from digging under the barn walls. The windows are covered with hardware cloth. So far, this has worked well for me.
Sudden noises and movements are tough to deal with. Rabbits can literally die of fright. And, even more common, they can thump so hard that they injure or even break their backs. July 4 is one day I need to learn to anticipate. A radio tuned to 24 hours of talk radio would help muffle outside sounds. Otherwise, it's just a matter of being aware. Working on the motorcycle just outside the barn is a bad idea. Teaching the children not to run or scream in the barn is a good idea.
Clipping Nails
I must include clipping nails as one of the basics. Without it, a rabbit cannot stay healthy. Long nails change the way the rabbit uses his foot and shifts pressure. That can lead to sore hocks. Long nails are also more likely to be broken or torn out.
The Rest
As long as you attend to these basics, your rabbit can be healthy and content. Beyond these basics, grooming and petting, providing toys and time outside the cage, using conditioners and giving treats can round out your program and enhance your rabbit's life. Perhaps you will stumble on a secret to giving your rabbits an edge on the show table. All of these extras are great. But they all depend on first providing the basics.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
Wednesday, May 17, 2006
Where Did The Time Go?
First of all, I want to send my apologies to those of you who checked more than once for a new BLOG yesterday only to find that I didn't write one. I left the house earlier than usual and got home later than expected. Last night was family night and then I actually tried to get into bed before 11:00 p.m. That's when I realized I hadn't written a BLOG. Where did the time go?
That seems to be the theme of yesterday. My son may as well have pierced my heart with an arrow. While in Wal-mart he asked, "Can I have a razor?" A razor? How could he say such a thing to me? And with no warning?
Suddenly, my memories took me back a few years to the same Wal-mart. My sister and I were standing solemnly side-by-side in the girls' department. I was crying, just a little bit, and she was murmuring that she was glad she only had boys. You see, we were buying Sarah's first bra.
Where did the time go?
I'm quite certain that just yesterday Daniel was 7 lb. 4 oz. I know it. And now he wants a razor.
My middle daughter Lydia has grown several inches since September, the month we mark their heights on the door jam of the pantry. Now she's taller than I am. Just another reminder that they are all growing up all too fast.
Even Anna, my baby, is having a growth spurt. At least she'll still sit on my lap and give me a hug no matter who is watching.
And they are not the only ones for whom time marches on. My oldest friend Dawn mentioned in an email the other day that we met 29 years ago this July. How could I possibly have clear memories of something that happened three decades ago? Things really have passed quickly! We met the year that Star Wars came out. That means that I have been in love with Harrison Ford for nearly 30 years!
Now for the rabbit part. If you are working so hard that you don't have time for your hobby, for yourself, and for spending some time with your friends, remember how quickly everything passes. Take some time to smell the roses, or in our case, the rabbit manure.
A woman who has several decades work experience mentioned to me the other day that three days after she leaves her place of employment, she'll be forgotten. "This is not my life," she said, "Sure, it's part of it, but it is not my life."
And I can guarantee you that three hours after you stop cleaning house, it will start reverting to its messy self. That's not your life either!
So plan a weekend and go to a show. Spend some time playing with your kits or evaluating your juniors. Enjoy this very simple pleasure while you can.
I know I will.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design ¶ 11:50 AM 1 comments links to this post
That seems to be the theme of yesterday. My son may as well have pierced my heart with an arrow. While in Wal-mart he asked, "Can I have a razor?" A razor? How could he say such a thing to me? And with no warning?
Suddenly, my memories took me back a few years to the same Wal-mart. My sister and I were standing solemnly side-by-side in the girls' department. I was crying, just a little bit, and she was murmuring that she was glad she only had boys. You see, we were buying Sarah's first bra.
Where did the time go?
I'm quite certain that just yesterday Daniel was 7 lb. 4 oz. I know it. And now he wants a razor.
My middle daughter Lydia has grown several inches since September, the month we mark their heights on the door jam of the pantry. Now she's taller than I am. Just another reminder that they are all growing up all too fast.
Even Anna, my baby, is having a growth spurt. At least she'll still sit on my lap and give me a hug no matter who is watching.
And they are not the only ones for whom time marches on. My oldest friend Dawn mentioned in an email the other day that we met 29 years ago this July. How could I possibly have clear memories of something that happened three decades ago? Things really have passed quickly! We met the year that Star Wars came out. That means that I have been in love with Harrison Ford for nearly 30 years!
Now for the rabbit part. If you are working so hard that you don't have time for your hobby, for yourself, and for spending some time with your friends, remember how quickly everything passes. Take some time to smell the roses, or in our case, the rabbit manure.
A woman who has several decades work experience mentioned to me the other day that three days after she leaves her place of employment, she'll be forgotten. "This is not my life," she said, "Sure, it's part of it, but it is not my life."
And I can guarantee you that three hours after you stop cleaning house, it will start reverting to its messy self. That's not your life either!
So plan a weekend and go to a show. Spend some time playing with your kits or evaluating your juniors. Enjoy this very simple pleasure while you can.
I know I will.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design ¶ 11:50 AM 1 comments links to this post
Monday, May 15, 2006
This Past Weekend
Okay, I know you are wondering whether I got everything on my to-do list done this weekend. Almost. I did everything except shovel manure. Funny how that one tends to sink to the bottom of the list.
But I have a good excuse. A couple of my bunny friends came by for lunch and to play with rabbits for awhile on Saturday. We had a great time with the exception of one sad moment. I had to say good-bye to Bear.
I did breed him one last time. Cindy Pail once said that last breedings often turn out very well for her. I hope this last breeding turns out to be a winner for me. In any case, I have a couple of last kits in the nestbox right now that are his. He and Chica (Rio's sister) had a litter of four, but two were apparently peanuts.
I also said good-bye to Chica, but since I have her sister Celeste and her daughter Kimmie, I'm good with that. Belle struck out with me so another breeder is going to give her a whirl. She's had one live kit before, so she may get her started. Belle is a grand champion with a wonderful body. If it works for her, it may work well indeed.
I made a very good swap with my friend Dani. I have gotten some kits from The Nature Trail's Natasha. But honestly, I don't need her since her brother Boris is siring kits all over the barn. Their gene pool is well represented. So I swapped her for Bella, Belle's beautiful brood doe sister - proven sister, I should add. Dani has gotten some Bella kits, too. So I hope it is a good swap for her as well.
So now I have two - count them - two empty cages in my barn! I should enjoy it while it lasts because with 30+ kits in the barn, things will be changing drastically in a couple of months.
I do need to get in my barn and tag some rabbits for sale. I just hate to do it because there are precious few that I want to sell. I do have two brood boys with fantastic lines. They are nothing special, but I'm sure they can throw a lot better than themselves. They would be an inexpensive way for someone to get offspring from Merlin x Katee, and Rio x May. I'm just charging my pet price of $40, so there's not huge risk there. The former is a broken tort, and the latter is a solid.
I'm also going to sell Bruce whenever I get the time to take his picture. All three of his littermates placed at Nationals. His hip came out of place at one time, so he's slightly uneven in the hindquarter. The one judge who noticed it said it was a fault and not a DQ, not genetic, and he was doubtful that any other judges would even notice it. It took me awhile to feel what he was talking about. But I will be reducing his price because of it. His parents are GC LaForge and GC May. His siblings are Lord (9th place sjb), Panache (6th place bjd), and Sakata (2nd place bjd).
I've been thinking of selling Piccolo. She's Roxie's beautiful brood doe sister. I have a litter of 4 from her right now, including two black does. Plus Roxie is producing wonderfully and I have a Roxie daughter. I guess my bases are covered enough to let her go. But she's so nice, it's hard to.
That's enough thought about selling. Let me tell you about my kits.
I lost a REW kit this weekend, but saved the other accidentally. I have two older kits in a cage, so I had taken them an empty oatmeal box to play in. I just leave it in there a day or two until it is soiled or flattened or both. So, I reached in to take out the box and felt some weight in it. Inside was a REW kit, warm and toasty. I assume the older kits had slept in there, saving the newborn from dying of exposure. But I immediately looked on the ground and saw the other REW cold and dead. At least the one was saved. I moved all three remaining kits from that litter back further in the nest box and hope that none takes to wandering again soon.
I had given up on Pandora having kits (the rabbit, that is, not the breeder). She was due Thursday and none of the five does who were due had produced a thing except a lot of fur and much nest box making activity - enough to get my hopes up. But Pandora had done precious little except arrange her nest box as most will do, babies or no.
But I was surprised on Mother's Day with three fat kits (and one DOA) nestled into a ton of fur in their box. They looked like they had been born on Saturday evening. This was Pandora's first litter and I'm so proud of her. They are Java babies, so I'm very anxious to see how they turn out.
I believe that both Autumn and Celeste have retained kits. I hope they pass them soon so I can rebreed them.
I did attempt to breed twelve does this weekend and got nine of them bred. This is still Convention breeding season, so I am anxious to see what I get in this batch.
One of my favorite breedings was Java to May. Those are two rabbits that both placed well at national-level shows (Java, first at Nationals; May, seventh at Convention) and are two of my three BIS rabbits. And they are physically compatible. I think their lines should work well, too, because Java is Boris x Katee. Boris is an LL Brendan son. Katee has produced nice babies with LaForge (Brendan x Katee), and with Boris, Java's father. I'd hate to figure out their family tree!
Speaking of May babies with Boris, May is now a grandmother. When Pandora had her babies, she made May Grandmama! And I guess that means that Boris is a proud grandfather. My, how time flies when you are breeding rabbits!
All in all, I'm pretty pleased with how my herd is developing. I'm anxious to go to a really good show, but I don't see any scheduled anywhere within driving distance, anytime soon. (I'll be at the Judges' Academy this weekend, so that's out.) I'd like to go to one with some judges I don't get all of the time.
I really hate that I missed the Mineral Wells show this past weekend, but I really needed the weekend off. And, as it turned out, I got to have some bunny fun, too.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design ¶ 9:33 AM 0 comments links to this post
But I have a good excuse. A couple of my bunny friends came by for lunch and to play with rabbits for awhile on Saturday. We had a great time with the exception of one sad moment. I had to say good-bye to Bear.
I did breed him one last time. Cindy Pail once said that last breedings often turn out very well for her. I hope this last breeding turns out to be a winner for me. In any case, I have a couple of last kits in the nestbox right now that are his. He and Chica (Rio's sister) had a litter of four, but two were apparently peanuts.
I also said good-bye to Chica, but since I have her sister Celeste and her daughter Kimmie, I'm good with that. Belle struck out with me so another breeder is going to give her a whirl. She's had one live kit before, so she may get her started. Belle is a grand champion with a wonderful body. If it works for her, it may work well indeed.
I made a very good swap with my friend Dani. I have gotten some kits from The Nature Trail's Natasha. But honestly, I don't need her since her brother Boris is siring kits all over the barn. Their gene pool is well represented. So I swapped her for Bella, Belle's beautiful brood doe sister - proven sister, I should add. Dani has gotten some Bella kits, too. So I hope it is a good swap for her as well.
So now I have two - count them - two empty cages in my barn! I should enjoy it while it lasts because with 30+ kits in the barn, things will be changing drastically in a couple of months.
I do need to get in my barn and tag some rabbits for sale. I just hate to do it because there are precious few that I want to sell. I do have two brood boys with fantastic lines. They are nothing special, but I'm sure they can throw a lot better than themselves. They would be an inexpensive way for someone to get offspring from Merlin x Katee, and Rio x May. I'm just charging my pet price of $40, so there's not huge risk there. The former is a broken tort, and the latter is a solid.
I'm also going to sell Bruce whenever I get the time to take his picture. All three of his littermates placed at Nationals. His hip came out of place at one time, so he's slightly uneven in the hindquarter. The one judge who noticed it said it was a fault and not a DQ, not genetic, and he was doubtful that any other judges would even notice it. It took me awhile to feel what he was talking about. But I will be reducing his price because of it. His parents are GC LaForge and GC May. His siblings are Lord (9th place sjb), Panache (6th place bjd), and Sakata (2nd place bjd).
I've been thinking of selling Piccolo. She's Roxie's beautiful brood doe sister. I have a litter of 4 from her right now, including two black does. Plus Roxie is producing wonderfully and I have a Roxie daughter. I guess my bases are covered enough to let her go. But she's so nice, it's hard to.
That's enough thought about selling. Let me tell you about my kits.
I lost a REW kit this weekend, but saved the other accidentally. I have two older kits in a cage, so I had taken them an empty oatmeal box to play in. I just leave it in there a day or two until it is soiled or flattened or both. So, I reached in to take out the box and felt some weight in it. Inside was a REW kit, warm and toasty. I assume the older kits had slept in there, saving the newborn from dying of exposure. But I immediately looked on the ground and saw the other REW cold and dead. At least the one was saved. I moved all three remaining kits from that litter back further in the nest box and hope that none takes to wandering again soon.
I had given up on Pandora having kits (the rabbit, that is, not the breeder). She was due Thursday and none of the five does who were due had produced a thing except a lot of fur and much nest box making activity - enough to get my hopes up. But Pandora had done precious little except arrange her nest box as most will do, babies or no.
But I was surprised on Mother's Day with three fat kits (and one DOA) nestled into a ton of fur in their box. They looked like they had been born on Saturday evening. This was Pandora's first litter and I'm so proud of her. They are Java babies, so I'm very anxious to see how they turn out.
I believe that both Autumn and Celeste have retained kits. I hope they pass them soon so I can rebreed them.
I did attempt to breed twelve does this weekend and got nine of them bred. This is still Convention breeding season, so I am anxious to see what I get in this batch.
One of my favorite breedings was Java to May. Those are two rabbits that both placed well at national-level shows (Java, first at Nationals; May, seventh at Convention) and are two of my three BIS rabbits. And they are physically compatible. I think their lines should work well, too, because Java is Boris x Katee. Boris is an LL Brendan son. Katee has produced nice babies with LaForge (Brendan x Katee), and with Boris, Java's father. I'd hate to figure out their family tree!
Speaking of May babies with Boris, May is now a grandmother. When Pandora had her babies, she made May Grandmama! And I guess that means that Boris is a proud grandfather. My, how time flies when you are breeding rabbits!
All in all, I'm pretty pleased with how my herd is developing. I'm anxious to go to a really good show, but I don't see any scheduled anywhere within driving distance, anytime soon. (I'll be at the Judges' Academy this weekend, so that's out.) I'd like to go to one with some judges I don't get all of the time.
I really hate that I missed the Mineral Wells show this past weekend, but I really needed the weekend off. And, as it turned out, I got to have some bunny fun, too.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design ¶ 9:33 AM 0 comments links to this post
Friday, May 12, 2006
A Weekend At Home
This has to be a first. There are three shows this weekend within driving distance, and I'm staying home. Four different friends and I were all planning to attend the Mineral Wells, WV, show this weekend, but one by one, we've had to cancel. I was the last hold out, but I've had a cold for a week and it doesn't seem to be letting up any. I think I'll stay home and rest.
Of course, I do have a little breeding to do. But after that, I'm going to get some rest.
And I did promise myself that I would muck out the barn weekly this summer. But that shouldn't take long since it has only been a week. A few minutes of shoveling, then breed a few does, and then I'm going to get some rest.
Last weekend we had company and we really enjoyed it. We worked a bit in the yard and almost got the garden ready to plant. I really don't want to put that off another week. So I guess we should get a few seeds planted this weekend. I can use the manure I shovel for that. And then breed those does and take my nap.
Of course, I haven't done much work on the websites I've been working on. And I just got a new one yesterday to do. I would like to work on that design for at least a few minutes before I take my nap. I can do that in the evening. I should breed the does first, then shovel, then plant, and then work on websites. But I guess I'd better not take the nap because it would make it too late in the evening and I wouldn't be able to go to sleep that night.
Besides, I need to do some housework. We need to get our house appraised so we can tackle another project. I can clean house in the evening after the garden is planted and the manure is shoveled. Of course, I will still start by breeding the does. But maybe I should work on the websites after the kids go to bed. I can do that in the dark, but I can't plant at night and it would disturb sleeping children and puppies to clean house at night.
So if I get up early, do my regular barn chores, breed the does, check on my 30 kits, shovel manure, plant the garden, clean house, and work on websites, I can still get to bed by 11:00 p.m.
Hmmmm, somehow it doesn't sound a lot more restful than going to the show.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
¶ 10:23 AM 1 comments links to this post
Of course, I do have a little breeding to do. But after that, I'm going to get some rest.
And I did promise myself that I would muck out the barn weekly this summer. But that shouldn't take long since it has only been a week. A few minutes of shoveling, then breed a few does, and then I'm going to get some rest.
Last weekend we had company and we really enjoyed it. We worked a bit in the yard and almost got the garden ready to plant. I really don't want to put that off another week. So I guess we should get a few seeds planted this weekend. I can use the manure I shovel for that. And then breed those does and take my nap.
Of course, I haven't done much work on the websites I've been working on. And I just got a new one yesterday to do. I would like to work on that design for at least a few minutes before I take my nap. I can do that in the evening. I should breed the does first, then shovel, then plant, and then work on websites. But I guess I'd better not take the nap because it would make it too late in the evening and I wouldn't be able to go to sleep that night.
Besides, I need to do some housework. We need to get our house appraised so we can tackle another project. I can clean house in the evening after the garden is planted and the manure is shoveled. Of course, I will still start by breeding the does. But maybe I should work on the websites after the kids go to bed. I can do that in the dark, but I can't plant at night and it would disturb sleeping children and puppies to clean house at night.
So if I get up early, do my regular barn chores, breed the does, check on my 30 kits, shovel manure, plant the garden, clean house, and work on websites, I can still get to bed by 11:00 p.m.
Hmmmm, somehow it doesn't sound a lot more restful than going to the show.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
¶ 10:23 AM 1 comments links to this post
Thursday, May 11, 2006
My Day With The Seventh Grade
Yesterday, I met with three groups of seventh graders at Gentry Middle School in Mount Airy, NC. The science teacher who invited me to talk with her class had purchased one of my first bunnies for her son three years ago. We had talked then about how interesting it would be to use the rabbits as the basis for a class.
So yesterday, we made that discussion into a reality.
After introducing myself and talking about showing rabbits in general, I talked about the different rabbits that were used to create the Holland lop. I concentrated on how the dwarf gene, pattern gene, and wool genes became part of the Holland lop gene pool.
Luckily, I had a fuzzy for my demonstration. I don't always have one available, so I was happy she was on hand. She is also the only Charlie I have in the barn right now, so she served a dual purpose.
One of my peanuts born last Thursday was still alive when I packed up on Wednesday morning. It was great to be able to show the students chubby six-day old kits and their peanut sibling. There was a huge difference. I also took a false dwarf buck and a true dwarf buck both born on Christmas Eve. That helped them see the difference between a true dwarf and a false dwarf. They really loved Took, a solid junior buck with a bit of ear control still. I think he'll make a fine show rabbit one day (when gravity gets hold of those ears!)
We worked with Punnet Squares to figure the odds of producing certain outcomes. It was great to hear the students calling out "Fuzzy!" or "Charlie" when the gene combinations came up. Many of them really got it.
I enjoyed my day with the students. For the most part, they had very good behavior and were attentive. I would enjoy going back again next year.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
¶ 9:15 AM 0 comments links to this post
So yesterday, we made that discussion into a reality.
After introducing myself and talking about showing rabbits in general, I talked about the different rabbits that were used to create the Holland lop. I concentrated on how the dwarf gene, pattern gene, and wool genes became part of the Holland lop gene pool.
Luckily, I had a fuzzy for my demonstration. I don't always have one available, so I was happy she was on hand. She is also the only Charlie I have in the barn right now, so she served a dual purpose.
One of my peanuts born last Thursday was still alive when I packed up on Wednesday morning. It was great to be able to show the students chubby six-day old kits and their peanut sibling. There was a huge difference. I also took a false dwarf buck and a true dwarf buck both born on Christmas Eve. That helped them see the difference between a true dwarf and a false dwarf. They really loved Took, a solid junior buck with a bit of ear control still. I think he'll make a fine show rabbit one day (when gravity gets hold of those ears!)
We worked with Punnet Squares to figure the odds of producing certain outcomes. It was great to hear the students calling out "Fuzzy!" or "Charlie" when the gene combinations came up. Many of them really got it.
I enjoyed my day with the students. For the most part, they had very good behavior and were attentive. I would enjoy going back again next year.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
¶ 9:15 AM 0 comments links to this post
Wednesday, May 10, 2006
Rabbit Genetics Quiz
I'm heading out the door in a few minutes to talk with three seventh grade science classes about rabbit genetics. We'll be discussing the pattern gene, dwarfing gene, and wool gene in particular today. After we talk about the genes for awhile and go through an exercise where students play the parts of genes, they will be given these three questions to work on in small groups.
See how well you can do with them. Email me if you get stuck and need the answers!
You have two Holland Lops. One is a buck with normal fur – his genotype is L L. The other is a doe with normal fur that carries the recessive wool gene (L l). You may breed these two rabbits together. Also, you may breed the offspring back to a parent (this is called line breeding, which is practiced in rabbit breeding, both by breeders and in nature). You can also breed the offspring together. This is called inbreeding (also practiced by breeders and in nature).
You have a Holland Lop buck. He is a handsome devil of about four pounds. You cannot tell from looking at him whether he is a true dwarf or a false dwarf.
By evaluating the offspring from his breedings, how could you figure out whether he is a true dwarf or a false dwarf? You may use known true dwarf does and/or known false dwarf does.
How would your plan change if you only had false dwarf does available?
Use Dw to show the normal gene and dw for the dwarfing gene.
Dw-Dw is a false dwarf or “normal”
See how well you can do with them. Email me if you get stuck and need the answers!
Question 1
You have two Holland Lops. One is a buck with normal fur – his genotype is L L. The other is a doe with normal fur that carries the recessive wool gene (L l). You may breed these two rabbits together. Also, you may breed the offspring back to a parent (this is called line breeding, which is practiced in rabbit breeding, both by breeders and in nature). You can also breed the offspring together. This is called inbreeding (also practiced by breeders and in nature).
Paper breed your rabbits to show the possible offspring. Then you may use any offspring to paper breed future generations.What is the fewest number of breedings you must do in order to possibly produce a fuzzy Holland Lop (genotype l l)? Use Punnet squares to show how that could work.
If you were a breeder, what could prevent you from actually producing the fuzzy Holland lop in that number of breedings?
Bonus: Would you consider the normal fur gene to be completely dominant or incompletely dominant?
Bonus: Would you consider the normal fur gene to be completely dominant or incompletely dominant?
Question 2
You have a Holland Lop buck. He is a handsome devil of about four pounds. You cannot tell from looking at him whether he is a true dwarf or a false dwarf.
By evaluating the offspring from his breedings, how could you figure out whether he is a true dwarf or a false dwarf? You may use known true dwarf does and/or known false dwarf does.
How would your plan change if you only had false dwarf does available?
Use Dw to show the normal gene and dw for the dwarfing gene.
Dw-Dw is a false dwarf or “normal”
Dw-dw is a true dwarf
dw-dw is the genetically fatal combination that produces the peanut
Bonus: Would you consider the normal gene to be completely dominant or incompletely dominant?
Bonus: Would you consider the normal gene to be completely dominant or incompletely dominant?
Question 3
Holland lops are shown in two groups: solids and brokens. It is important to have rabbits to show in both groups to be completitive.
Part A: All of your bucks are solid. Half of your does are solid. Half of your does are broken. If your litters are born solid or broken exactly as the Punnet squares predict, how many brokens and how many solids would you have in your first 100 offspring?
Part B: Every time you breed, you choose a solid buck and a broken doe OR you choose a broken buck and a solid doe. If your litters are born solid or broken exactly as the Punnet squares predict, how many brokens and how many solids would you have in your first 100 offspring?
Part C: You want to produce as many brokens as solids. But sometimes, your very best matches between bucks and does are solid to solid. What can you do in your barn to keep the number of brokens and solid balanced?
Charlie (double broken pattern – usually not showable) - En En
Broken – En en
Solid – en en
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
That's A Crock!
At a rabbit show recently, I was talking about when I give my rabbits a crock. A very new breeder asked, “What’s a crock?” I suppose it’s short for crockery, since the original ones were probably all made of that. But simply put, it’s a dish. I was referring to water dishes in particular.
A crock should be either heavy or attached to the cage so that the rabbit cannot tip it over. I use several different types of crocks, depending on the situation.
For young bunnies just getting out of the nest box, I use ceramic cat dishes. I want the sides to be low enough for a two- or three-week old rabbit to use easily. I also want them to be able to keep their heads above water should they decide to dive right in.
By the time they are about a month old, I move up to ceramic dog dishes. A litter can go through quite a bit of water, so the larger size accommodates that. Also, the rabbits are larger by that time and can keep their head above water in the deeper dish.
As long as there are two or more rabbits sharing a cage, I keep them on a crock, despite each cage having an automatic watering fount.
There are other times that I use a crock in addition to the fount. First of all would be with any doe that is not producing all of the milk I would like her to. I don’t want her daintily licking the fount if she need lots more water in her diet. Rabbits vary in their efficiency in using the automatic water (or even a water bottle), so I don’t want that to be any issue at all.
I also immediately move to a crock any rabbit that is not eating as many pellets as they normally do. Rabbits that don’t drink, don’t eat.
Any rabbit that I feel needs to gain weight is moved to a crock. Same reasoning. Eating and drinking are two sides of the same coin for rabbits.
I have a doe with four legs whose front teeth are beginning to look a bit twisted. I’ve put her on a crock just in case she is biting the stem of the watering system and causing her teeth to twist. It seems to me that I had a very nice buck in the same cage who did that. I thought it was a genetic problem – it might be a geographical one instead. I want to find out and I definitely want to see if this doe’s teeth can be naturally corrected by removing the suspected cause and adding a chew stick. We’ll see.
I use crocks with rabbits that seem to be having a difficult time learning how to use the watering system. Cristal, a black doe almost six month old, still doesn’t seem to have a clue. She will lick the water that I cause to flow. She has worked every angle of that fount except biting the stem! I told her she should be embarrassed. I have three-week olds who can barely reach the fount using it with ease. She just still can’t do it.
Crocks are necessary for me when I have a rabbit on antibiotics. My normal practice is to put those rabbits on probiotics to counteract the side effects of the antibiotic.
Of course I have to use crocks when the water system freezes, but I also add crocks when the temperature gets about 93 degrees or so. Such temperatures are a challenge to rabbitries in general. I don’t want my bunnies having to cool themselves with a tiny fount. In addition to delivering more water more quickly, the crock is also something cool to lie against and can hold ice, if needed.
I use crocks that attach to the side of the carrier when I travel. I hate that the crocks take up room in the carrier, but I like them much better than tiny water bottles. Perhaps if I showed few rabbits only close to home, I would prefer the water bottles. But on long trips, refilling is required. I hated pulling each bottle, refilling it, and replacing it in the cage. It sounds easy until you have to do it 30 times!
Now I use a metal watering can with a long spout. I can water all of my traveling rabbits in just a couple of minutes. I love it.
Holland lops only need about ½ cup of water per day, so I only fill the travel crocks ½ full. That’s enough for their needs without having extra to slosh around in the car. I can top them off when I get to the showroom.
Don’t get me wrong; I love my watering system. Most cages most days are watered through the system. But I do not feel that relying solely on automatic water is the optimal way to manage my rabbitry.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design ¶ 10:36 AM 0 comments links to this post
A crock should be either heavy or attached to the cage so that the rabbit cannot tip it over. I use several different types of crocks, depending on the situation.
For young bunnies just getting out of the nest box, I use ceramic cat dishes. I want the sides to be low enough for a two- or three-week old rabbit to use easily. I also want them to be able to keep their heads above water should they decide to dive right in.
By the time they are about a month old, I move up to ceramic dog dishes. A litter can go through quite a bit of water, so the larger size accommodates that. Also, the rabbits are larger by that time and can keep their head above water in the deeper dish.
As long as there are two or more rabbits sharing a cage, I keep them on a crock, despite each cage having an automatic watering fount.
There are other times that I use a crock in addition to the fount. First of all would be with any doe that is not producing all of the milk I would like her to. I don’t want her daintily licking the fount if she need lots more water in her diet. Rabbits vary in their efficiency in using the automatic water (or even a water bottle), so I don’t want that to be any issue at all.
I also immediately move to a crock any rabbit that is not eating as many pellets as they normally do. Rabbits that don’t drink, don’t eat.
Any rabbit that I feel needs to gain weight is moved to a crock. Same reasoning. Eating and drinking are two sides of the same coin for rabbits.
I have a doe with four legs whose front teeth are beginning to look a bit twisted. I’ve put her on a crock just in case she is biting the stem of the watering system and causing her teeth to twist. It seems to me that I had a very nice buck in the same cage who did that. I thought it was a genetic problem – it might be a geographical one instead. I want to find out and I definitely want to see if this doe’s teeth can be naturally corrected by removing the suspected cause and adding a chew stick. We’ll see.
I use crocks with rabbits that seem to be having a difficult time learning how to use the watering system. Cristal, a black doe almost six month old, still doesn’t seem to have a clue. She will lick the water that I cause to flow. She has worked every angle of that fount except biting the stem! I told her she should be embarrassed. I have three-week olds who can barely reach the fount using it with ease. She just still can’t do it.
Crocks are necessary for me when I have a rabbit on antibiotics. My normal practice is to put those rabbits on probiotics to counteract the side effects of the antibiotic.
Of course I have to use crocks when the water system freezes, but I also add crocks when the temperature gets about 93 degrees or so. Such temperatures are a challenge to rabbitries in general. I don’t want my bunnies having to cool themselves with a tiny fount. In addition to delivering more water more quickly, the crock is also something cool to lie against and can hold ice, if needed.
I use crocks that attach to the side of the carrier when I travel. I hate that the crocks take up room in the carrier, but I like them much better than tiny water bottles. Perhaps if I showed few rabbits only close to home, I would prefer the water bottles. But on long trips, refilling is required. I hated pulling each bottle, refilling it, and replacing it in the cage. It sounds easy until you have to do it 30 times!
Now I use a metal watering can with a long spout. I can water all of my traveling rabbits in just a couple of minutes. I love it.
Holland lops only need about ½ cup of water per day, so I only fill the travel crocks ½ full. That’s enough for their needs without having extra to slosh around in the car. I can top them off when I get to the showroom.
Don’t get me wrong; I love my watering system. Most cages most days are watered through the system. But I do not feel that relying solely on automatic water is the optimal way to manage my rabbitry.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design ¶ 10:36 AM 0 comments links to this post
Monday, May 08, 2006
Bunny Babies
My first group of Convention babies was born this past Thursday and Friday. It looks like I have about 30 viable kits. Since most breedings were true dwarf to true dwarf, I should have about 20 true dwarfs in the group. Although I know that I will have some next box losses, that should give me a nice group to select my Convention juniors from.
I only have three does to rebreed, I believe. Of the 14 does I had bred, only one missed. Three more had dead litters. One of those does, GC The Nature Trail's Belle, just used up her last chance. She's only had one live baby for me, so she's out of here. I will be selling her as a "Show Only" doe. Whoever buys her may yet get her started - she's only 18 months old and has had one live baby. But I'm tired of trying, especially given that I have her half-sister Mercedes who is producing quite well.
The other two with dead litters had two each. They were first-timers. They got a few things right and I'm feeling pretty good about their chances of doing better next time.
I'm ready to rebreed May since her litter is getting some age on it. This will be a small second flush of Convention juniors - they will be almost five months old when the Fort Worth show rolls around.
I also want to breed Kathryn, who flatly refused to cooperate last time I bred does. She's got a wonderful body and I can't wait to see if I can make the good match with a buck with a head.
Later this month a number of juniors will turn senior. Then I will have to decide whether to try to breed them for Convention juniors or try for their senior leg to grand them. The show season is fairly sparse over the next few months, but I hate to give up the chance to grand a doe. You never know which will be able to bounce back after kindling. It would make a huge difference to my all-grand-champion pedigree project.
But on the other hand, I could be giving up nice juniors for Convention, especially since two of the does in question did well at Convention themselves this year.
There's always so much to consider!
I should at least think about consolidating some of my litters, too. Right now, I'm observing which kits are actually viable. Some are getting a slow start and might not make it. Some does are producing quite a bit more milk. In the next day or so, I should think about which I may want to show or rebreed and move some babies around to accommodate those plans.
Right now, I've just moved one broken kit from Mercedes litter of six over to join Markie's three solid kits. It seems to be working very well.
I hope your nest boxes are full, too, and you have plenty of nice show bunnies to look forward to!
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
¶ 2:18 PM 0 comments links to this post
I only have three does to rebreed, I believe. Of the 14 does I had bred, only one missed. Three more had dead litters. One of those does, GC The Nature Trail's Belle, just used up her last chance. She's only had one live baby for me, so she's out of here. I will be selling her as a "Show Only" doe. Whoever buys her may yet get her started - she's only 18 months old and has had one live baby. But I'm tired of trying, especially given that I have her half-sister Mercedes who is producing quite well.
The other two with dead litters had two each. They were first-timers. They got a few things right and I'm feeling pretty good about their chances of doing better next time.
I'm ready to rebreed May since her litter is getting some age on it. This will be a small second flush of Convention juniors - they will be almost five months old when the Fort Worth show rolls around.
I also want to breed Kathryn, who flatly refused to cooperate last time I bred does. She's got a wonderful body and I can't wait to see if I can make the good match with a buck with a head.
Later this month a number of juniors will turn senior. Then I will have to decide whether to try to breed them for Convention juniors or try for their senior leg to grand them. The show season is fairly sparse over the next few months, but I hate to give up the chance to grand a doe. You never know which will be able to bounce back after kindling. It would make a huge difference to my all-grand-champion pedigree project.
But on the other hand, I could be giving up nice juniors for Convention, especially since two of the does in question did well at Convention themselves this year.
There's always so much to consider!
I should at least think about consolidating some of my litters, too. Right now, I'm observing which kits are actually viable. Some are getting a slow start and might not make it. Some does are producing quite a bit more milk. In the next day or so, I should think about which I may want to show or rebreed and move some babies around to accommodate those plans.
Right now, I've just moved one broken kit from Mercedes litter of six over to join Markie's three solid kits. It seems to be working very well.
I hope your nest boxes are full, too, and you have plenty of nice show bunnies to look forward to!
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
¶ 2:18 PM 0 comments links to this post
Friday, May 05, 2006
We're A Crazy Lot
I'm sure that you get your share of jokes in your emails. Maybe you get the occasional IQ test or really cute picture. My children love the emails full of animal pictures. One common email is the "getting to know you" type. This week, I got a really fun one that tests how much you know about your friends.
The items range from "Take a stab at my middle name," to "Where did we meet?" to "Do I have siblings?"
It's funny to see what friends do and do not know about you.
One of the questions is "What do I like to do?" For us bunny people, that's a no brainer. Play with bunnies, duh!
It's also funny to see how people remember the past differently. Two friends were sure we met at a rabbit show. I'm sure we met at my barn first. Here's a question for Dani. How could you have shown Breezy at the PA Convention if we just met there for the first time? Of course, it could be my memory that's screwed up. That's happening more and more!
One thing that really impressed me was the friends who remembered what the first thing I ever said to them was. Wow. That's really something. It reminds me that people are listening and watching all of the time. If you decide to just let it all hang out, take your feelings out on people, or leave your manners at home, it could color your future relationship with them. If you treat people with courtesy, are open and friendly, or helpful, they may remember that, too. Some even remember the very first sentence you said to them. I'll have to remember that.
The last question in this little quiz is "If you and I were stranded together on a desert island, what would you be sure to bring?"
For my ice cream buddy Lisa, I said a solar-powered ice cream maker. What else?
My friend Peter said we should bring my pedigree book. At least we could busy ourselves with planning future breedings while we were waiting to be saved! Of course he's right about one thing. I'd never let my pedigree book go down with the ship.
My friend Linda said we should bring a bred doe because we could start a new herd with that. Smart thinking Linda.
I told Linda we should bring Harrison Ford. What was I thinking? The bunny idea was much better!
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
¶ 7:45 AM 0 comments links to this post
The items range from "Take a stab at my middle name," to "Where did we meet?" to "Do I have siblings?"
It's funny to see what friends do and do not know about you.
One of the questions is "What do I like to do?" For us bunny people, that's a no brainer. Play with bunnies, duh!
It's also funny to see how people remember the past differently. Two friends were sure we met at a rabbit show. I'm sure we met at my barn first. Here's a question for Dani. How could you have shown Breezy at the PA Convention if we just met there for the first time? Of course, it could be my memory that's screwed up. That's happening more and more!
One thing that really impressed me was the friends who remembered what the first thing I ever said to them was. Wow. That's really something. It reminds me that people are listening and watching all of the time. If you decide to just let it all hang out, take your feelings out on people, or leave your manners at home, it could color your future relationship with them. If you treat people with courtesy, are open and friendly, or helpful, they may remember that, too. Some even remember the very first sentence you said to them. I'll have to remember that.
The last question in this little quiz is "If you and I were stranded together on a desert island, what would you be sure to bring?"
For my ice cream buddy Lisa, I said a solar-powered ice cream maker. What else?
My friend Peter said we should bring my pedigree book. At least we could busy ourselves with planning future breedings while we were waiting to be saved! Of course he's right about one thing. I'd never let my pedigree book go down with the ship.
My friend Linda said we should bring a bred doe because we could start a new herd with that. Smart thinking Linda.
I told Linda we should bring Harrison Ford. What was I thinking? The bunny idea was much better!
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
¶ 7:45 AM 0 comments links to this post
Thursday, May 04, 2006
Grieving
I received an email from a breeder today who found one of her favorite rabbits has really bad malocclusion. She's made the tough decision to put him down. I feel for her. It's always difficult to make the decision to put a rabbit down, but even more so when you are especially close to the bunny.
I admit, some of the rabbits in my barn are just members of a herd. Others are my special bunnies. I love them. I look forward to seeing them. And I know that I will suffer and grieve whenever they die. Given their lifespans and mine, I will go through this many times in the coming years.
One of the things I hate to hear from breeders starts with, "I know it's silly to feel this way, but . . ." Don't ever write that to me, please. If you think it's silly for you to be sad over the loss of a favorite rabbit, then you think my feelings are silly, too. And they are not.
I realize that breeders' feelings for their herds and for some of their individual rabbits runs the gamut from the practical to the extremely emotional. It's possible that those on the most pratical side will suffer less when an important rabbit dies (though they will certainly feel disappointment and perhaps discouragement), but they may enjoy the rabbit-breeder relationship a bit less, too. So it's a trade off.
You might think that you can choose where on the continuum you will operate, but I doubt you can do it. You are who you are. If you feel the losses deeply, that's just who you are. The upside is that you have an increased ability to feel the bunny love, too.
If you are just getting started with rabbits, take heart. It does get a little easier with time. This works in two ways.
First of all, with the death of kits and newborn litters, you learn to expect a certain amount of loss. I suffered immensely when my first newborn kits died. I felt awful the first time a doe had a dead litter. But I take most of that more in stride now; it's a normal part of breeding. It's expected and I know that I can get over it. Mostly, that is. There are still two dead litters that haunt me. So I'm not immune to being upset about it at all.
The other way that time helps is that you grieve the loss of your rabbits and you learn over time how to do that more effectively. You benefit from the experience of having successfully grieved in the past. I can still get into touch with the feelings I had at the loss of certain special rabbits, but it doesn't hurt as much as it did the day I found each of them dead. Knowing how I dealt with those deaths will help me with future ones.
Of course, I know I have much bigger losses ahead of me than I have behind. I'm sure you don't want to see me on the day I lose Rio or May or Merlin!
So accept yourself for who you are. Know that your feelings aren't silly. They are real and you are entitled to feel them. Also realize that your ability to handle the loss of rabbits will improve somewhat over time. And know that when you lose that special bunny, you have my sympathy.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
¶ 9:31 AM 0 comments links to this post
I admit, some of the rabbits in my barn are just members of a herd. Others are my special bunnies. I love them. I look forward to seeing them. And I know that I will suffer and grieve whenever they die. Given their lifespans and mine, I will go through this many times in the coming years.
One of the things I hate to hear from breeders starts with, "I know it's silly to feel this way, but . . ." Don't ever write that to me, please. If you think it's silly for you to be sad over the loss of a favorite rabbit, then you think my feelings are silly, too. And they are not.
I realize that breeders' feelings for their herds and for some of their individual rabbits runs the gamut from the practical to the extremely emotional. It's possible that those on the most pratical side will suffer less when an important rabbit dies (though they will certainly feel disappointment and perhaps discouragement), but they may enjoy the rabbit-breeder relationship a bit less, too. So it's a trade off.
You might think that you can choose where on the continuum you will operate, but I doubt you can do it. You are who you are. If you feel the losses deeply, that's just who you are. The upside is that you have an increased ability to feel the bunny love, too.
If you are just getting started with rabbits, take heart. It does get a little easier with time. This works in two ways.
First of all, with the death of kits and newborn litters, you learn to expect a certain amount of loss. I suffered immensely when my first newborn kits died. I felt awful the first time a doe had a dead litter. But I take most of that more in stride now; it's a normal part of breeding. It's expected and I know that I can get over it. Mostly, that is. There are still two dead litters that haunt me. So I'm not immune to being upset about it at all.
The other way that time helps is that you grieve the loss of your rabbits and you learn over time how to do that more effectively. You benefit from the experience of having successfully grieved in the past. I can still get into touch with the feelings I had at the loss of certain special rabbits, but it doesn't hurt as much as it did the day I found each of them dead. Knowing how I dealt with those deaths will help me with future ones.
Of course, I know I have much bigger losses ahead of me than I have behind. I'm sure you don't want to see me on the day I lose Rio or May or Merlin!
So accept yourself for who you are. Know that your feelings aren't silly. They are real and you are entitled to feel them. Also realize that your ability to handle the loss of rabbits will improve somewhat over time. And know that when you lose that special bunny, you have my sympathy.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
¶ 9:31 AM 0 comments links to this post
Wednesday, May 03, 2006
Beyond Rabbit Shows
Being involved with rabbits can provide opportunities and experiences beyond your own barn and even beyond rabbit shows. I just updated a webpage for Sandhills Rabbit Fanciers. Several volunteers from the club staffed "Bunny Day" for the City of Greensboro, NC. You can see from the pictures that Bunny Day was a wonderful event for the families that attended.
Other rabbit breeders have had the opportunity to conduct workshops or demonstrations at summer camps and day camps. Some families' lives do not include pets. Interacting with rabbits may be a rare experience for some children. Or maybe it will be the seed that sprouts into a full-blown rabbit enthusiasm at some point!
Soon, I will be talking with groups of 7th graders about rabbit genetics. My rabbits and I will visit a middle school in a nearby town next Wednesday. We'll be discussing how genetics plays an important part in breeding towards a standard of perfection. And I'll talk about the pattern gene, dwarfing gene, and wool gene, in particular. I'm brushing up on my heterozygous, phenotype, Punnet square terminology! We'll model what happens genetically during a breeding, with students playing the part of genes. I was thinking I should pick a student with long hair for the wool gene and short for the normal fur. What do you think?
The Sandhills Rabbit Fanciers also staffs an educational display at the Greensboro Fair in September. Many, many educational pamphlets are distributed and volunteers answer questions all week. I know that many clubs do something similar.
I would love to see more clubs put on educational events about rabbits during the weeks just before Easter. Everyone is a rabbit person at Easter, but for some, it's a temporary thing. We could do a lot to raise the awareness of what it really means to be a rabbit owner. And we could help future rabbit owners avoid ill-advised and even deadly practices with their rabbits.
And, a small percentage of those attending might just decide to join our hobby. How many of you started in rabbits with the sole idea that you would breed according to the standard to show your rabbits? I'm sure some did. But many others started by buying pets or visiting a show with a friend or accidentally bumping into "showing" some other way.
People cannot join a hobby they do not know about.
So reach out beyond your barn. Maybe you'll provide an enjoyable day for a family. Perhaps you will spark some interest in rabbits. Maybe you'll save the life of a future pet rabbit. You could make some topic come alive to a group of students. And maybe you'll increase the interest in our hobby and help keep it robust for another generation.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
¶ 11:03 AM 0 comments links to this post
Other rabbit breeders have had the opportunity to conduct workshops or demonstrations at summer camps and day camps. Some families' lives do not include pets. Interacting with rabbits may be a rare experience for some children. Or maybe it will be the seed that sprouts into a full-blown rabbit enthusiasm at some point!
Soon, I will be talking with groups of 7th graders about rabbit genetics. My rabbits and I will visit a middle school in a nearby town next Wednesday. We'll be discussing how genetics plays an important part in breeding towards a standard of perfection. And I'll talk about the pattern gene, dwarfing gene, and wool gene, in particular. I'm brushing up on my heterozygous, phenotype, Punnet square terminology! We'll model what happens genetically during a breeding, with students playing the part of genes. I was thinking I should pick a student with long hair for the wool gene and short for the normal fur. What do you think?
The Sandhills Rabbit Fanciers also staffs an educational display at the Greensboro Fair in September. Many, many educational pamphlets are distributed and volunteers answer questions all week. I know that many clubs do something similar.
I would love to see more clubs put on educational events about rabbits during the weeks just before Easter. Everyone is a rabbit person at Easter, but for some, it's a temporary thing. We could do a lot to raise the awareness of what it really means to be a rabbit owner. And we could help future rabbit owners avoid ill-advised and even deadly practices with their rabbits.
And, a small percentage of those attending might just decide to join our hobby. How many of you started in rabbits with the sole idea that you would breed according to the standard to show your rabbits? I'm sure some did. But many others started by buying pets or visiting a show with a friend or accidentally bumping into "showing" some other way.
People cannot join a hobby they do not know about.
So reach out beyond your barn. Maybe you'll provide an enjoyable day for a family. Perhaps you will spark some interest in rabbits. Maybe you'll save the life of a future pet rabbit. You could make some topic come alive to a group of students. And maybe you'll increase the interest in our hobby and help keep it robust for another generation.
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
¶ 11:03 AM 0 comments links to this post
Tuesday, May 02, 2006
Website Design Services
I am currently working on several websites. I cannot wait to get them finished so you can see them. One is a double site for a mother and daughter! I am having so much fun designing for different personalities and different styles.
Beginning June 1, I will be raising my prices for web design services. During the month of May, I will continue accepting new sites under the current pricing structure. If I receive your deposit this month for a site to be started in May, June, or July, you can get an 8-page website design for $200 ($20 for each extra page). You pay for your site design in three payments, beginning with a $60 deposit.
If you've been thinking about maybe having a customized site created just for you, now is the time to jump on it. I will design for any breed and even for other species. Holland lop sites get the extra advantage of exchanging links with other sites I've done, which could give you visitors right from the beginning! All new sites are announced on this BLOG and are linked by The Nature Trail Rabbitry website.
Check out these websites:
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
¶ 10:50 AM 0 comments links to this post
Beginning June 1, I will be raising my prices for web design services. During the month of May, I will continue accepting new sites under the current pricing structure. If I receive your deposit this month for a site to be started in May, June, or July, you can get an 8-page website design for $200 ($20 for each extra page). You pay for your site design in three payments, beginning with a $60 deposit.
If you've been thinking about maybe having a customized site created just for you, now is the time to jump on it. I will design for any breed and even for other species. Holland lop sites get the extra advantage of exchanging links with other sites I've done, which could give you visitors right from the beginning! All new sites are announced on this BLOG and are linked by The Nature Trail Rabbitry website.
Check out these websites:
I believe that a good website will pay for itself. People simply cannot buy things they do not know about. One website owner wrote to me that rabbits were flying out of her barn after we finished her site.
Sure, it's a lot of hard work to collect the information for a site, but summer show schedules are generally a bit light. There are lots of good weather days for photographing rabbits, and life generally flows at a somewhat slower pace. Now is the perfect time to do it.Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry
Precious Pet Rabbits
Affordable Web Site Design
¶ 10:50 AM 0 comments links to this post
Monday, May 01, 2006