HOW I STARTED OUT....LEARN FROM MY MISTAKES! |
BUYER BASICS |
BUYER BASICS |
BUYER BASICS |
When choosing foundation stock one cannot be to careful. It has been said in many applications I have read, "start with the most expensive, quality, stock you can afford." So wanting to start out the right way, I looked in the DOMESTIC RABBIT magazine (all ARABA members get one once they are a member). I found a local breeder, within reasonable driving distance, who claimed to have lots of grand champions, winning lines, and lots of experience. I was so excited to meet him and learn as much as I could about my new hobby. I went down for a visit, and being a novice, I made some awful mistakes. My first was that I let the glammer of his claims cloud my common sense. When seeing his animals, so many had snotty, runny noses, he claimed they had a cold. I took him at his word, another mistake. Next we discussed price. We agreed on what I had to spend , much more than I ever intended to pay, and he chose the colors and rabbits for me. I agreed to buy 3 rabbits, yet another mistake, went home with one, and after 3 more visits, I finally recieved # 2 from him. No pedigrees came with the bunnies becuase he claimed I had to pay for and pick up bunny # 3 first. Bunny #2 had to be put down. She had a runny nose,sneezed, and later had convolusions due to her sickness. Bunny # 1 was a black bunny full of scattered white hairs and couldn't be shown (even though that's what I bought him for). So, I decided NOT to go back for bunny #3. After 2 years of asking, I never did recieve peds on either bunny I had bought and paid for. So in short, I spent way to much money on my foundation stock and had to START OVER a year later. |
What I learned, some basics... |
# 1. ALAWAYS check the rabbit you are "thinking" of buying for good health. Make sure that they have: * Bright clear eyes. No mucus, or excess water comming out of the corners. If you see gooey eyes, DO NOT BUY! * Dry, clean nose. Check for crust or mucus around the nostril area. If you see this, or hear them sneeze, walk away. DO NOT BUY! * Check the inside of the front paws for matted fur. This would be cuased by constant wiping of a runny nose. DO NOT BUY! * Check the vents of the animals for scabs, or crusty bottoms. It could have vent disease or worms. DO NOT BUY! * Be sure to check the teeth of the animal to be sure they are top over bottom. Breeders should offer to show you, but don't be afriad to ask them too. DO NOT BUY and animal with bad teeth. # 2. Always check out the breeder you are intending to buy the bunnies from. Check to see if they have clean bunnies and clean cages. If the cages and bunnies are dirty it is more likely they could be sick due to poor management practices. Think, "Does this breeder seem curteous and someone who you would want to associate with." This is important becuase if you have questions or a problem you should feel comfortable discussing this with the breeder and confident they can offer you further assistance even AFTER the sale. If you are at a show you might ask a few other breeders if they would purchase a bunny from the intended breeder. Or go to the club president and ask them who they might purchase stock from. They can be a wealth of information. # 3. Price. How much do you want to invest? This is important. If this is your first experience with bunnies than I would recommend a low investment to start with on your foundation stock. This will allow time for learning the basice managements practices, and breeding basics, feeding, housing and such. Show as often as possible, and as time goes you will learn who has a good reputation and who to buy your next rabbits from when you are ready to improve your stock. |
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HOW I STARTED OUT....LEARN FROM MY MISTAKES! |
What I learned, some basics... |
