Monday, April 30, 2007
Rising Standards
When I think back about some of the rabbits I worked with my first year as a breeder, I'm amazed. I remember being so excited about those rabbits. I was very pleased with them. I couldn't wait to see what they would produce. They were my pride and joy.
And they would mostly be in the pet pile if I owned them today.
As I continue to learn more and more about rabbits, I continue to become more and more picky about what it takes to be a prized rabbit in my barn. I suppose for my breeding program, that's a very good thing. But I'm beginning to realize that I will always be moving the bar ahead of me and never truly satisfied with anything that I produce!
I do need to give this idea some thought. First, if I'm too hard on my rabbits, then I'm less likely to want to show them. If I start looking at them as a compilation of faults, I might lose out on enjoying all of the things that are right about them.
I suppose that since the ideal rabbit is unreachable, I need to concentrate more on progress and meeting interim goals.
I'm also getting to the end of a very large cycle in my barn. That means that it has been a long while since I last added any rabbits to my program (especially that stayed in my program). For the most part, Merlin was the last significant addition I made - at the Providence, Rhode Island National Convention.
I think that means that I'm starting to see the same patterns and more predictability in my breedings. That's a good thing. But it's definitely not as exciting as bringing home a new rabbit that promises to really make a difference in your barn.
I remember bringing Camelot's Merlin home. I was so excited about what he could do for my herd. And he did not disappoint me. He's really shortened up my ears and is giving me the best crowns in my barn. And I have a son who may end up with an even better head, ear, and crown than he has. I continue to breed him to this day.
I expect to experience that all over again later this year. I'm looking forward to adding a significant piece and see what improvements can be made that way. Perhaps I'll be excited all over again as well. If my next addition adds half as much as Merlin has, I'll be well pleased.
But those rising expectations will make it even harder to find a rabbit that I want to introduce into my herd. I'll need a little luck to find the right animal.
Until I find that special Holland, I want to have fun with what I have and not let my rising standards get in my way of enjoying my herd. All I need to do is take a stroll down memory lane (all nicely cataloged for me in my database) and see just how far I've really come already.
Laurie ¶ 8:37 AM
And they would mostly be in the pet pile if I owned them today.
As I continue to learn more and more about rabbits, I continue to become more and more picky about what it takes to be a prized rabbit in my barn. I suppose for my breeding program, that's a very good thing. But I'm beginning to realize that I will always be moving the bar ahead of me and never truly satisfied with anything that I produce!
I do need to give this idea some thought. First, if I'm too hard on my rabbits, then I'm less likely to want to show them. If I start looking at them as a compilation of faults, I might lose out on enjoying all of the things that are right about them.
I suppose that since the ideal rabbit is unreachable, I need to concentrate more on progress and meeting interim goals.
I'm also getting to the end of a very large cycle in my barn. That means that it has been a long while since I last added any rabbits to my program (especially that stayed in my program). For the most part, Merlin was the last significant addition I made - at the Providence, Rhode Island National Convention.
I think that means that I'm starting to see the same patterns and more predictability in my breedings. That's a good thing. But it's definitely not as exciting as bringing home a new rabbit that promises to really make a difference in your barn.
I remember bringing Camelot's Merlin home. I was so excited about what he could do for my herd. And he did not disappoint me. He's really shortened up my ears and is giving me the best crowns in my barn. And I have a son who may end up with an even better head, ear, and crown than he has. I continue to breed him to this day.
I expect to experience that all over again later this year. I'm looking forward to adding a significant piece and see what improvements can be made that way. Perhaps I'll be excited all over again as well. If my next addition adds half as much as Merlin has, I'll be well pleased.
But those rising expectations will make it even harder to find a rabbit that I want to introduce into my herd. I'll need a little luck to find the right animal.
Until I find that special Holland, I want to have fun with what I have and not let my rising standards get in my way of enjoying my herd. All I need to do is take a stroll down memory lane (all nicely cataloged for me in my database) and see just how far I've really come already.
Laurie ¶ 8:37 AM
