Wednesday, January 09, 2008
Full Circle
Yesterday evening, I went to Garrett and Mary Justice's to pick up feed. They graciously sold me everything they had and will go purchase more - an hour beyond their house from my vantage point. Besides helping me locate feed (we were waiting for their feed store to receive its shipment so they could safely sell me theirs), they saved me two extra hours of driving. I really appreciate their help a lot. I was really dreading my other option - another sudden feed change (and to poor feed at that).
But besides getting the feed issue taken care of, I had a great time. You may recall that I got my start in bunnies at that very house. I was telling Mary last night that it was in their first bunny room that Garrett asked me if I wanted the rabbits for pets or show. My response was, "What's show?" She had to laugh at that.
We went over Hollands. What breeder doesn't love that? It was a pleasure to me to see a full rabbitry with babies of all ages. It's been months and months since my rabbitry looked like that (but hopefully it won't be long until it is like that again). It did my heart good.
Mary is the queen of color, so it was fun to see the rainbow of bunnies, especially in the litters. She has a couple of smoke pearl bucks with heads to die for. I could just look at them and rub the fur down between the eyes all day long. Dreamy.
I told her which two bucks of hers were my favorites. Her husband did a little "I told you so" uh huh. I also suggested that she breed every doe in the barn first to one and then to the other. There was another "uh huh" from Garrett. He said that he often does that sort of things with his Netherlands. You can't argue with success!
It's the same thing I'm doing with my new LOV bucks. I want to know quickly what these bucks can do and which does they work well with. Plus, I'm creating a harem of does (hopefully - probably have 11 bucks in the nest boxes right now!). That will get me linebreeding ASAP.
Garrett showed me his Netherlands. He pulled out some tricky colors and tested me. I think I passed. He showed me the variety of broken patterns that he's getting. That was good to see side by side. He brought twos and threes for me to pick from and explain why I liked the one I picked as best. I almost tripped up by initially picking a black buck (you know how I love black rabbits), but I had to change my mind and go for the chestnut after all.
He encouraged me to work with Netherlands a lot. Good idea. I just hope the other Netherland exhibitors will have patience for seeing me behind the table a lot this year.
I had such a good time with Mary & Garrett. It was a learning experience. Aren't bunnies always, though? Even when you are going over other people's rabbits, I think you learn something. It helps you regain some perspective on your own, too. I could see qualities in Mary's rabbits that I just don't have (or don't have very often, anyway).
Well, I'm going to fish for invitations, now. If you have time for me to visit your established rabbitry, please invite me! I don't care what breed it is. I'd love to go over rabbits and learn from you. I'd be glad to tell you what I see, too. I can't go to Maylasia or California, of course. But maybe someone is reading this from NC, VA, or WV!
Or feel free to quiz me at a rabbit show. I'm game.
Laurie
¶ 9:30 AM
But besides getting the feed issue taken care of, I had a great time. You may recall that I got my start in bunnies at that very house. I was telling Mary last night that it was in their first bunny room that Garrett asked me if I wanted the rabbits for pets or show. My response was, "What's show?" She had to laugh at that.
We went over Hollands. What breeder doesn't love that? It was a pleasure to me to see a full rabbitry with babies of all ages. It's been months and months since my rabbitry looked like that (but hopefully it won't be long until it is like that again). It did my heart good.
Mary is the queen of color, so it was fun to see the rainbow of bunnies, especially in the litters. She has a couple of smoke pearl bucks with heads to die for. I could just look at them and rub the fur down between the eyes all day long. Dreamy.
I told her which two bucks of hers were my favorites. Her husband did a little "I told you so" uh huh. I also suggested that she breed every doe in the barn first to one and then to the other. There was another "uh huh" from Garrett. He said that he often does that sort of things with his Netherlands. You can't argue with success!
It's the same thing I'm doing with my new LOV bucks. I want to know quickly what these bucks can do and which does they work well with. Plus, I'm creating a harem of does (hopefully - probably have 11 bucks in the nest boxes right now!). That will get me linebreeding ASAP.
Garrett showed me his Netherlands. He pulled out some tricky colors and tested me. I think I passed. He showed me the variety of broken patterns that he's getting. That was good to see side by side. He brought twos and threes for me to pick from and explain why I liked the one I picked as best. I almost tripped up by initially picking a black buck (you know how I love black rabbits), but I had to change my mind and go for the chestnut after all.
He encouraged me to work with Netherlands a lot. Good idea. I just hope the other Netherland exhibitors will have patience for seeing me behind the table a lot this year.
I had such a good time with Mary & Garrett. It was a learning experience. Aren't bunnies always, though? Even when you are going over other people's rabbits, I think you learn something. It helps you regain some perspective on your own, too. I could see qualities in Mary's rabbits that I just don't have (or don't have very often, anyway).
Well, I'm going to fish for invitations, now. If you have time for me to visit your established rabbitry, please invite me! I don't care what breed it is. I'd love to go over rabbits and learn from you. I'd be glad to tell you what I see, too. I can't go to Maylasia or California, of course. But maybe someone is reading this from NC, VA, or WV!
Or feel free to quiz me at a rabbit show. I'm game.
Laurie
¶ 9:30 AM
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LOL...This is a cute entry. It would be an honour to have you here in Malaysia and if you are a food person, trust me, you will feel Malaysia is HEAVEN. We have a huge variety of good foods. Unfortunately, I cannot say the same for rabbits except the varieties are as much as the foods but none are pure breds. LOL. I am trying to develop HL though. But it is a very costly game for me since the currency is a killer.
But I am saving up to have one or some of yours. I know you do not ship but let's just say I am also saving up for the air ticket to do all the shipping myself. I am just so into your rabbits. LOL....(at the back of my head - "this is gonna take forever")
Regards,
Timothy
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But I am saving up to have one or some of yours. I know you do not ship but let's just say I am also saving up for the air ticket to do all the shipping myself. I am just so into your rabbits. LOL....(at the back of my head - "this is gonna take forever")
Regards,
Timothy
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