What really concerned me more was what I was keeping. The question was, once I sell these rabbits, will I have what I need in my barn to continue with my breeding program.
Now I'm not going to tell you that I don't love individual rabbits, because I do. If you know me personally, then you also know that I love May. I love Merlin. I love Rio. I love Padme. I love Java.
But my overall breeding program is always my main focus. I try to keep my eye on the future and what I'm trying to accomplish. Aside from love (after all, this is a hobby), the number 1 reason to keep a rabbit is because you believe it will take your breeding program forward.
So which did I keep?
- Java
- Lord
- MLK
- Demetrius
- Mistofelees
- Quincy
- Prince William
- Rio
- Merlin
- Myrddin
- Zeppo
I actually had planned to sell ten and keep ten (how in the world did I ever end up with 20 bucks?!?!?), but the line fell at 11 and 9.
Now let's look at the reasons I kept each:
- GC Java - depth, body, head, specimen to try to reproduce, Boris' son, Leo's brother
- GC Lord - good all around, no glaring faults, out of May
- GC MLK - black, short ear, short body, out of Merlin
- Demetrius, 2 legs - developing buck that I want to keep longer to see how he turns out, nice depth, good head & crown, out of Leo
- Mistofelees, 2 legs - developing buck, beautiful crown placement, good all around buck, out of Franz & Jo-Jo, Quinten's brother
- GC Quincy - short ear, double Merlin grandson, short body, nice balance
- Prince William, 3 legs - Imagination's brother, has the fuller body, but the head was not as strong, want to grand and breed him before letting him go, May son
- GC Rio - a specimen worth trying to reproduce
- GC Merlin - best producer, source of short ears, short bone
- Myrddin, 2 legs - best crown placement and definition
- Zeppo, 1 leg - one of the nicest bucks in the barn, just tiny (though heavy-boned for his size), want to give him the time to totally develop before making a decision on him, Boris son
So when I start going crazy because I decided to let Wizard go instead of Lord, MLK, Quincy, and Prince William (all Merlin descendents), I'll have to look back at this list and remember that I'm covered.
The one last thing I want to look at is their birthdates. I don't want time to creep up on me and I find that my buck herd has all gotten old at the same time:
- Java - 10-2005
- Lord - 11-2005
- MLK - 1-2006
- Demetrius - 5-2006
- Mistofelees - 5-2006
- Quincy - 12-2005
- Prince William - 3-2006
- Rio - 11-2004
- Merlin - 3-2003
- Myrddin - 12-2005
- Zeppo - 5-2006
Merlin is definitely the old man of the crowd, having just celebrated his fourth birthday. Since he's living out his life here, that's not an issue, though. Rio is next at nearly 2 1/2. The rest are between less than a year, and a year and a half old. So for now, my buck herd is young and I am continuing to add to it, not just resting solely on the old man.
I noticed that Boris and Leo were among those bucks that I bred this go around. I think you might see some of these sale bucks being bred one last time this week - just to be sure!
So, I think I've thought this through thoroughly. I think I'm making the right decision. I think I'm ready to let some of these guys go. But don't be surprised if you see a tear or two when I have to hand them over!
Laurie Stroupe
The Nature Trail Rabbitry “Home Of Grand Champions”
Precious Pet Rabbits
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