Lazy Hazy Days Of Summer
Here we are, the shows are over until fall, now we can sat back and let the world go by, but wait, what about the fall shows and the big ARBA CONVENTION SHOW? Are the rabbits going to be ready and available on their own?
This is the time we must find those future winners. The time to breed for our meat pensm and too, it is the time to analyze breed stock. We must go over our records as well as our livestock to see which ones did the job. What do we look for?
1. How easy was the Doe to breed?
2. How many kits did she give birth to?
3. How many kits did she raise?
4. What was the quality of those she raised?
5. Size at 8 weeks (Litter weight?)
A. How many were show quality?
6. What was her condition when the kits were 8 weeks old?
7. Remember the Californian is a “must” type rabbit. She must be capable of raising 40 rabbits each year, and these kits must weigh 4 pounds each or better at 70 days old.
Now take each doe and analyze her. Did she qualify in all categories? Did she come close? You must decide this now and make your decision to keep her or not.
Now let’s look at your bucks. It is said that a buck is half of your herd, so bare this in mind when you analyze them.
1. How old are your bucks? A buck does his best from 1 to 3 years of age, after that, kits from him will usually tail off.
2. Does he still have substance or is he generally run down? (Because he is old and out of condition)
3. Is his fur still good, does he molt often?
4. How is his health in general?
5. Has he been throwing large or small litters?
There are things on older Californians you don’t have to be concerned about. Here is a couple of them:
1. Most older Californians have smut. This does not pass down to their kits.
2. Most older Californians are not quite as firm as they once were, but still have good substance, and condition.
You should Cull older rabbits when the things stated above are evident, also if they have thin or sore hocks. There are other things I am sure that could be included, but this a very good start.
This is the time we must find those future winners. The time to breed for our meat pensm and too, it is the time to analyze breed stock. We must go over our records as well as our livestock to see which ones did the job. What do we look for?
1. How easy was the Doe to breed?
2. How many kits did she give birth to?
3. How many kits did she raise?
4. What was the quality of those she raised?
5. Size at 8 weeks (Litter weight?)
A. How many were show quality?
6. What was her condition when the kits were 8 weeks old?
7. Remember the Californian is a “must” type rabbit. She must be capable of raising 40 rabbits each year, and these kits must weigh 4 pounds each or better at 70 days old.
Now take each doe and analyze her. Did she qualify in all categories? Did she come close? You must decide this now and make your decision to keep her or not.
Now let’s look at your bucks. It is said that a buck is half of your herd, so bare this in mind when you analyze them.
1. How old are your bucks? A buck does his best from 1 to 3 years of age, after that, kits from him will usually tail off.
2. Does he still have substance or is he generally run down? (Because he is old and out of condition)
3. Is his fur still good, does he molt often?
4. How is his health in general?
5. Has he been throwing large or small litters?
There are things on older Californians you don’t have to be concerned about. Here is a couple of them:
1. Most older Californians have smut. This does not pass down to their kits.
2. Most older Californians are not quite as firm as they once were, but still have good substance, and condition.
You should Cull older rabbits when the things stated above are evident, also if they have thin or sore hocks. There are other things I am sure that could be included, but this a very good start.
