Proposed Culling Procedure

If you've read my rabbitry resolutions for 2011, you know that I am developing a culling schedule or picking out the best juniors. After consideration, I've put together these steps. I will try them out soon to see if they're satisfying.

4 Weeks

-Pick out obvious DQs

-Remove obvious False Dwarfs

-Remove undesirable colors

-Make note of nicely balanced babies and kits with smooth hindquarters

8-10 Weeks

-Remove other False Dwarfs

-Check for mismatched toenails

-Evaluated width, depth, and roundness

5-6 Months

-Make Final decisions on body and color

-Look for developing block heads

-Try to stick with short ears

8-9 Months

-Evaluate coat (when in condition)

-Evaluate production capabilities

2011 Rabbitry Resolutions

I got the nifty idea from Keep's Rabbitry Blog to come up with some goals and resolutions for the upcoming year.

-Grand a homegrown pair - I've granded rabbits before. I've granded homegrowns, but I've never had a homegrown X a homegrown to breed that were both granded. My hopes are to grand two rabbits who haven't yet qualified, but it still counts if I only get a buck to go with Veyla.

-Keep all records and expense up to date - This one's going to be harder than the first. I have a good record system, it's just all about staying on top of it. I will start fresh with a new spreadsheet for my expenses.

-Develop Tan Pattern Program - I have a pair, sitting, waiting to be bred, but I have not had the space to do it yet. I always push one last doe in front of the pair. Nala is 8 months old and not going to wait much longer to get bred. I hope to get a couple of litters, sell my starter stock, and be breeding Tan Babies into my shaded stock (which is already developed body wise) by next fall.

-Set a culling Standard - My mom would always be in a rush to sell rabbits as soon as they're weaned. She had it in her mind that we can make our final decisions at this tender age. It's finally set in that we need to keep space to grow out 1-2 babies per litter. I hope to figure out a practice that works for me.

We'll check these back in a year!

~Gwen